Cheers, hugs and tears flowed at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 (JABSOM) as the Class of 2026 opened envelopes revealing the next step in their medical journeys.
On March 20, 78 students participated in Match Day, learning where they will continue their training in residency programs across the country.
This year’s class is strongly committed to primary care, with 56% matching into internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and OB-GYN—fields that remain in high demand across Hawaiʻi. Additionally, 33% of graduates will remain in Hawaiʻi for residency.
Staying home to serve Hawaiʻi
For many students, staying home made Match Day especially meaningful.
“As cheesy as it might sound, I think it means the world to me,” said Kerrick Chinen. “I grew up in this place, these people have raised me, and it’s an absolute honor to be back serving the people and practicing even more at home.”
He added, “The heart said I really wanted to stay at home, but I knew the reality of it. It was a little dicey. So it was an absolute relief opening that envelope up and seeing the University of Hawaiʻi.”
Jonathan Carino shared a similar goal. “That’s always been my intention,” Carino said. “To do residency somewhere not in Hawaiʻi didn’t sit right with me, and I’m really glad I’m staying home here at 东精影业.”
JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker said that commitment reflects the school’s mission to serve the state’s most pressing health care needs.
“Primary care is the backbone of a healthy community, and Hawaiʻi continues to face a critical need in these areas,” Shomaker said. “We are proud to see so many of our students choosing this path and staying true to our mission of training physicians who will serve our communities here at home.”
It was also a notable year for surgery, with 19% of the class matching into surgical specialties.
Nationally, more than 38,000 medical students matched into residency programs this year, marking the largest Match in the history of the National Resident Matching Program.
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