Skip to main content
Home

Main Navigation

  • Admissions
    • ADMISSIONS
      • Admissions Overview
      • Admissions Requirements
      • Admissions Assessment
      • MCAT
    • FEES AND FUNDING
      • Tuition and Fees
      • Scholarships
      • Financial Aid
      • Student Finance
      • Partnerships
      • HBCU & HSI Partnerships
    • APPLICANTS
      • How to Apply
      • Canadian Applicants
      • Transfer Applicants
      • International Applicants
      • Career Changers
  • MD Program
    • PROGRAM
      • Program Overview
      • Program Objectives
      • Hospital Affiliates
      • Simulation Institute
      • MD-MPH Combined
    • CURRICULUM
      • MD Curriculum
      • Medical Sciences - Years 1 & 2
      • Clinical Education - Years 3 & 4
      • Clinical Home Offer
      • MedOrigin
    • ACADEMIC RESOURCES
      • Academic Calendar
      • Resources and Student Support
      • Career Advisement
      • Residency Appointments
      • USMLE Information
  • Student Life
    • STUDENT LIFE
      • Student Life Overview
      • Housing
      • Campus Tour
    • STUDENT CULTURE
      • Explore Barbados
      • Teaching Facilities
      • Clubs & Organizations
      • White Coat Ceremony
    • STUDENT SUPPORT
      • Campus Services
      • Safety & Security
  • About
    • ABOUT
      • RUSM Overview
      • Why Ross Med?
      • Facts & Figures
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Accreditation & Approvals
    • IN THE MEDIA
      • Newsroom
      • News
      • Blog
      • On-Demand Webinars
    • LEARN MORE
      • Faculty & Staff
      • Dean
      • Mission & History
      • FAQs
      • Testimonials
  • Apply Now
    • Start Your Ross Med Application
    • Submit Your Common Application

Secondary Mobile Menu

  • Incoming Students
  • Events & Webinars
  • Information for
    • Alumni
    • Admitted Students

Utility Navigation

  • Request Info
  • Apply Now

Secondary Navigation

  • Incoming Students
  • Events & Webinars
  • Information for
    • Alumni
    • Admitted Students
    • Current Students
Search
Cancel Search
Home Home

RUSM Main navigation

  • Admissions

    Explore Admissions

    Are you a strong candidate?

    Take an Admissions Assessment

    Ross Med applicants have a wide range of MCAT and GPA scores.

    Take the Admissions Assessment
    • ADMISSIONS
      • Admissions Overview
      • Admissions Requirements
      • Admissions Assessment
      • MCAT
    • FEES AND FUNDING
      • Tuition and Fees
      • Scholarships
      • Financial Aid
      • Student Finance
      • Partnerships
      • HBCU & HSI Partnerships
    • APPLICANTS
      • How to Apply
      • Canadian Applicants
      • Transfer Applicants
      • International Applicants
      • Career Changers

    Information For...

    Admitted Students

    Parents

    Premed Advisors

    MERP

  • MD Program

    Explore MD Program

    Do you have a question?

    student asking question

    Our goal is to help you reach yours.

    Speak to Admissions
    • PROGRAM
      • Program Overview
      • Program Objectives
      • Hospital Affiliates
      • Simulation Institute
      • MD-MPH Combined
    • CURRICULUM
      • MD Curriculum
      • Medical Sciences - Years 1 & 2
      • Clinical Education - Years 3 & 4
      • Clinical Home Offer
      • MedOrigin
    • ACADEMIC RESOURCES
      • Academic Calendar
      • Resources and Student Support
      • Career Advisement
      • Residency Appointments
      • USMLE Information

    Related Links...

    MCAT Information

    Why Ross Med?

    Match Day

  • Student Life

    Student Life

    img for new Mega Menu
    Overview
    new Mega menu Square 5
    Housing
    New Mega Menu Image 6
    Campus Tour
    • STUDENT LIFE
      • Student Life Overview
      • Housing
      • Campus Tour
    • STUDENT CULTURE
      • Explore Barbados
      • Teaching Facilities
      • Clubs & Organizations
      • White Coat Ceremony
    • STUDENT SUPPORT
      • Campus Services
      • Safety & Security

    Related Links...

    Merchandise Store

    Diversity & Inclusion

    Mission & History

  • About

    About RUSM

    Start Your Road to Residency

    medical students

    You're not just studying medicine. 
    You're practicing it.

    Request More Information
    • ABOUT
      • RUSM Overview
      • Why Ross Med?
      • Facts & Figures
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Accreditation & Approvals
    • IN THE MEDIA
      • Newsroom
      • News
      • Blog
      • On-Demand Webinars
    • LEARN MORE
      • Faculty & Staff
      • Dean
      • Mission & History
      • FAQs
      • Testimonials

    Related Links...

    Contact Us

    Campus Location

  • Apply Now
    • Start Your Ross Med Application
    • Submit Your Common Application
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now
    • Start Your Ross Med Application
    • Submit Your Common Application

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. News
  4. Kayla Blanchard Beats MATCH System with Offer
Residency Match

Student Kayla Blanchard Thankful to Beat the MATCH System with Early Offer

Tue, 02 Mar 2021

Get Started Today

You'll submit your completed Ross Med application online in our application portal.

Apply Now
MATCH 2021

It’s an anomaly but one that was certainly welcome for Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) student Kayla Blanchard who was fortunate to withdraw from the National Resident Matching Program® (The MATCH ℠) process late last year when she pre-matched at her dream location — Sinai Health System in Chicago.

Kayla Blanchard

“This was the perfect storm,” said the former registered nurse turned upcoming internal-medicine resident who plans to vacation during what would have been a taxing MATCH week. “They were looking for someone who was self-motivated, trustworthy, reliable and eager to learn. I just happened to be that student. My personality just happened to fit in with their culture. I just happened to attract mentors who opened doors for me that I could not have opened on my own. And the hospital just happened to be in a city that I love. I’m not saying it’s impossible to pre-match, but sometimes you can do everything right — rotate in-person, make a great impression and truly be an excellent student — and still not receive a pre-match offer.”

Though elated with her outcome, she’s just as quick to offer advice to her classmates. “Please don’t be discouraged if you do not receive a pre-match offer. It does not mean that you aren’t a great student or a great person. Instead, it likely means that you would be a better fit elsewhere, and that is to your advantage!”

Finding the Right Fit

Kayla applied to more than 100 internal medicine programs that valued resident wellness, served the underprivileged community and welcomed international medical graduates. She also considered programs that offered solid health insurance for her own medical needs and locations that afforded her husband great career opportunities. The stars aligned after the fourth interview, receiving a personal call from the program director 15 minutes later; she immediately accepted. “To realize all my hard work had paid off was surreal,” Kayla recalled, adding that she had hoped to stay at Sinai after a successful internal medicine rotation. “The outpouring of congratulations was so heartwarming! I truly felt like I was joining a family — one that was ready and willing to guide and support me through my training.”

To her fellow comrades, the former Student Government and Student Ambassador leader reiterates that the journey to get to MATCH, though unconventional — hurricane, studying at sea and the pandemic — is worth it. “My class had not yet had the opportunity to build a strong support system,” Kayla described, recounting the challenges of being displaced during first semester. “We had to learn to navigate that difficult situation while also making new friends and learning the most efficient way to study. I strongly believe that this experience prepared me well to confront any challenge that followed during my medical education, as each ensuing challenge paled in comparison.”

Kayla also had to confront test anxiety, a condition she discovered while studying for the United States Medical Licensing Examination® Step 1 exam. Working with private and peer tutors, she found success and eventually paid it forward with younger peers. “I wouldn’t be here today without the guidance of those who came before me, so I advocate for students who follow behind me, for more humanism in medical education.”

Kayla Blanchard -2


Looking Ahead

A co-founder of Chicago COVIDSitters, a nationally recognized nonprofit which offers front-line workers free household services, Kayla aims to develop her skills as a physician as well as an educator and leader who inspires others to view patients as people rather than complex puzzles. She strives to provide exceptional patient care that includes critical thinking, quality improvement and safety initiatives. The Georgia native who fancied tennis and science camp encourages RUSM students to thank preceptors and continue reading clinical context that can be integrated into their knowledge toolbox.

“From the very beginning, we’re told to make ourselves stand out as applicants. Pursue meaningful connections with people who can help you stand out; it is worth your time and makes all the difference. It often isn’t enough to just be a great student — there are plenty of those. You have to also be a student who people want to mentor and open doors for. Learn how to foster these relationships effectively now to help you later on.”

 

To all 2021 MATCH students, we support your journey and look forward to celebrating your achievement.

 

Learn More

Hear directly from Kayla during a 2021 MATCH Experience Livestream, hosted by Monica Garcia, associate director of RUSM’s Office of Career Attainment. Tune in to RUSM’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels at 5 pm CT on Thursday, March 11. Kayla will share stories about her academic journey, the MATCH process and landing a pre-match position at Sinai Health System in Chicago.   

Road to Residency Library

  • Exploring Ways to Keep You Engaged During this Time of Limited Patient Interaction
  • A Peek into the Life of Medical Sciences Student Leah Hochman
  • A Peek into the Life of Clinical Sciences Medical Student Ryan Azarkhail and His Bout with COVID-19
  • Value of Mind-Body Medicine — Self-Care Equals Better Patient Care
  • Times May Be Tough But RUSM Students are Masters at Facing Adversity and Surging Onward
  • Bracing for the Final Step Toward Becoming a Physician — The Journey to Match Day 2021
  • Couples MATCH Challenging But Also Requires Some TLC: Leurinda Couple
  • Nyemo Mbennah Hopes to Bring Her Medical Skillset to African Women
  • Michael Lucarelli-Cowles Ready to Make an Impact as an Emergency Medicine Physician
  • Mental-Health Stigmas Must End — I Was Hiding Behind the Shame of Suicide
  • Medical Student Alyson Morgan Armed for This Year’s MATCH
  • Medical Student Dmitriy Milkis and His Road to Pathology

 

If you have a topic you’d like to learn more about, please share your feedback with us.

Share This Article

  • facebook
  • tiktok
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

The information and material contained in this article and on this website are for informational purposes only and should not be considered, or used in place of, professional medical advice. Please speak with a licensed medical provider for specific questions or concerns. Ross Med is not responsible for the information maintained or provided on third-party websites or external links.

Related News

hana-malik
Alumni
Match Day 2025: A Childhood Dream is Fulfilled
raymond-ho
Alumni
CaRMS Match: Classroom Incident Inspires Teacher to Become Physician
residency-match
Alumni
High School Volunteerism Sparks Interest in Medical Career — and Results in Match in Neurology
Ross University School of Medicine
Apply Now
Contact Admissions

Campus Address:

Two Mile Hill St. Michael
BB11093
Barbados

 

Admissions Address:

10315 USA Today Way,
Miramar, Florida, 33025
Phone: +1 754.707.5547
Email: Admissions@Rossu.edu

RUSM Footer Sub menu

  • Information For
    • Admitted Students
    • Career Seekers
    • Current Students
  • Navigate
    • About RUSM
    • MD Program
    • Admissions
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Student Life
    • Contact Us
  • News & Events
    • Blog
    • News & Press
    • Events & Webinars
    • On-demand Webinars
    • Academic Calendar
Branded Element

© 2025 Ross University School of Medicine. All rights reserved.

Hands-on From the Start®

Academic Catalog | Student Handbook | Student Consumer Information | Online Cookie Policy | Accessibility Statement | Office of Nondiscrimination and Access | Cost of Attendance | Privacy Policy

 

Policy on Non-discrimination

Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is committed to providing an education conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual and to maintaining an academic environment free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or parental status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law in the admission to, access to, or treatment, or employment in any of its programs or activities. RUSM will not tolerate, condone, or allow discrimination or harassment, whether engaged in by fellow students, faculty members or non-faculty colleagues.

Connect with Ross Medical School

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Ross University School of Medicine is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP, www.caam-hp.org).

 

CAAM-HP is the legally constituted body established in 2003 under the aegis of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), empowered to determine and prescribe standards and to accredit programs of medical, dental, veterinary and other health professions education on behalf of the contracting parties in CARICOM.

Accreditation by CAAM-HP is a rigorous, peer review process which examines all aspects of a medical program. The CAAM-HP board, an independent and autonomous body of professionals, only certifies medical schools which are operating at the highest levels of industry standards.

Through this accreditation, the CAAM-HP provides assurance to medical students, graduates, the medical profession, healthcare institutions, and the public that programs leading to qualifications in medicine meet appropriate national and international standards for educational quality, and that the graduates have a sufficiently complete and valid educational experience.

CAAM-HP logo - transparent

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Call
  • Chat
  • Request Info
  • Apply