Of the 181 LSU Health New Orleans graduating medical students participating in the National Resident Match Program, 81 chose to remain in Louisiana to complete their medical training. LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans Dean, Dr. Steve Nelson, says many are also choosing to continue with LSU Health New Orleans.
“So that speaks well of our students, our faculty, and our school,” said Nelson
Last year, only 46% or medical students stayed in state, with three-quarters of those continuing at LSU.
Nelson says the National Resident Match Program is very competitive in luring in the promising new talent.
“Many of my students matched with some of the most competitive programs in the country. Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Yale, and the like. They are like free agents and these other states would very much like to recruit them,” said Nelson.
Most of these physicians will likely remain in Louisiana once their training is complete.
Nelson credits budget stability for an increase in the number of graduates who have chosen to enter their residency programs.
“I predict it’ll go up again next year if we have some stability in our funding,” said Nelson.