SLU Medical Students Celebrate Match Day with Dreams of Future Careers

SLU Medical Students Celebrate Match Day with Dreams of Future Careers

03/25/2026

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University School of Medicine's Class of 2026 gathered in the grand ballroom of the Chase Park Plaza on March 20, as students eagerly awaited the results of the National Residency Match Program.

For fourth-year medical students, Match Day is a pivotal moment that marks the next step in their journey toward becoming fully licensed physicians.

The Match Day ceremony, where students receive their residency placements, is the culmination of months of applications, interviews and rank lists. Students' top residency program preferences are paired with the programs' selections, ultimately determining where they will spend the next several years of their medical training.

For Jordan Beveridge, Michael Cusumano, and Joey and Erin Talarico, Match Day was not just a milestone - it was a reflection of the paths they have taken and the futures they hope to build.

Jordan Beveridge: Staying Home for Psychiatry

Beveridge, who completed an MBA alongside her medical degree at SLU, matched into psychiatry at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

"I'm so excited to be working with a great institution in my hometown," Beveridge said.

Her partner also matched in St. Louis.

"My partner matched in internal medicine at SLU, and we are so grateful to be in the same city as each other and our families," she said.

Beveridge said Match Day was an energizing experience shared with classmates.

"It was awesome to be surrounded by so much energy on Match Day and to see where my classmates ended up, including some that will be staying in town with us," she said.

She also expressed gratitude for her time at SLU.

"I have so much love for SLU SOM and the training I received here - I cannot overstate my gratitude to the teachers and mentors who guided and inspired me," Beveridge said.

Looking ahead, she said she is ready for the next challenge.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of a new institution and continuing to learn from and serve the people of St. Louis and surrounding areas," she said.

Beveridge said her time at SLU was formative both academically and personally.

"I have spent an amazing five years at SLU, and I'm very lucky to have ended up here," she said. "I met some of my closest friends and my partner in medical school here, and I can credit my growth to my fellow students, faculty and the incredible staff."

Beveridge took a leave of absence to earn her MBA from SLU's Chaifetz School of Business, a move that was supported by the medical school.

"The medical school also supported me when I took a leave of absence to pursue an MBA, which was an amazing opportunity," she said. "One of the most meaningful experiences was my course on 'Leadership in the Business of Medicine,' and the health advocacy work I did with LouHealth. It inspired me to pursue a path where I could combine medicine and business."

Her aspirations extend beyond individual patient care.

"My biggest hope for my career is to be an excellent doctor on an individual level, one that patients trust and respect," she said. "But I also want to make an impact on a larger scale, improving mental health care access and equity, and contributing to the field through research and quality improvement."

Michael Cusumano: A Path from Pharmacy to Emergency Medicine

For Cusumano, a former pharmacist now pursuing emergency medicine, Match Day marked another step in a long professional journey. He matched into Washington University's program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

"My wife and I are delighted," Cusumano said.

"When I started medical school here, I was struck by how incredible and diverse my classmates were," he said. "I want to be an excellent clinician, and the sense of reward that comes with saving a person's life in the emergency department is tremendous."

Cusumano also has a passion for research, particularly in the subtleties of medication use.

"As a pharmacist, I thought a lot about medication management, and there are several research questions I would love to answer as I move forward in my EM career," he said.

Joey and Erin Talarico: A Shared Journey into Pediatrics

Joey and Erin Talarico, who met as undergraduates at SLU and are both pursuing pediatrics, experienced Match Day together as a married couple.

"Match Day is certainly not for the faint of heart," they said. "There are a lot of complex emotions to be felt when opening an envelope that discloses where you'll be living for the next three-plus years in front of your friends and family."

The couple said they were pleased with the outcome, even as they prepare to leave St. Louis.

"That being said, we are very happy with the outcome," they said. "We will be completing our pediatrics residency at the University of Iowa, which is an excellent program with great people."

They acknowledged the difficulty of leaving a place they have called home for years.

"Knowing that we will be moving away from family and a city we've called home for eight years is tough, but we are very excited for this next chapter," they said.

Reflecting on their shared journey, Erin emphasized SLU's impact.

"SLU has shaped our paths in every way," she said. "First and foremost, it brought us together. We met as dorm neighbors during our freshman year in 2018."

"The education we've received here - both as undergraduates and in medical school - has been second to none," she added. "But more importantly, the people we've met at SLU are what make this place special to us."

As they embark on their pediatric careers, the couple said they are focused on making a difference.

"In pediatrics, physicians have the opportunity to improve lives for decades," Erin said. "We hope to provide the most compassionate, equitable and high-quality care possible to every patient, no matter where we end up. We also want to address misinformation and advocate for the well-being of all children."

Joey said going through the process together added both challenges and meaning.

"Going through the Match process as a married couple is logistically challenging, but it's also fun," he said. "We've experienced double the stress and debt, but it's allowed us to empathize with each other more easily."

"Our goals are aligned, and we're excited to be pursuing the same specialty," he added. "The uncertainty about where we'll match adds an element of excitement, but the best part is getting to open our envelopes together."

As SLU's Class of 2026 prepares to take the next steps in their medical careers, these students are driven by their passion for their specialties and a desire to make a positive impact.

For Beveridge, Cusumano and the Talaricos, Match Day is more than just a formality - it is the start of a lifelong commitment to patient care, research and leadership in medicine.