*RUSM has a first-time residency attainment rate of 96%, calculated as the percent of students attaining a 2025-26 residency position out of graduates or expected graduates in 2024-25 who were active applicants in the 2025 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match. AUC’s first-time residency attainment rate for 2024-2025 graduates and expected graduates is 95%. SABA’s four-year residency placement rate of 97% is calculated as the percent of students attaining a residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 who were active applicants in the NRMP match or attained a residency outside the NRMP match. As of July 17, 2025, they have not published their 2025 rates. SGU’s US residency placement rate of 94% pertains to graduates over five years from 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 with the rate calculated as the total number of students/graduates who obtained a US residency divided by the total number of students/graduates who applied to a US residency program in a given year as of April 2025.
Ryan Azarkhail, ’23, always had a passion for human anatomy, as well as a desire to provide direct patient care combined with hands-on procedures. His interests played a part in the research paper he helped author, “Use of Indocyanine Green Fluorescent Imaging in the Assessment of a Tongue Flap After Lateral Hemiglossectomy,” published in Cureus.
Working in collaboration with a team led by Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF) surgery resident Lisandro Montorfano, MD, the research deals with the real-time assessment of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography as an imaging modality that can be used to assess intraoperative tissue perfusion, used in this case with reconstruction after tongue cancer surgery. ICG dye has proven to be safe and cost-effective during complex reconstructions, aiding in postoperative recovery.
Ryan was inspired by his experience in clinicals and Dr. Montorfano’s advice: “Be respectful, be curious, ask questions, show interest, be resourceful, know your anatomy, read before your cases, be prepared to answer questions, and stay late for cases. Work hard to make your dreams come true.”
After finishing core rotations at Atlanta Medical Center, Ryan is looking forward to his fourth year at RUSM and elective rotations. His goal is to match into a residency that will allow him to explore innovative medical techniques.
What are his recommendations to fellow Rossies? “Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Push yourself to network with residents, inquire about research opportunities, and put in the extra time and effort to distinguish yourself. You get out what you put in.”
Sources
Montorfano L, Bordes S J, Azarkhail R, et al. (May 26, 2021) Use of Indocyanine Green Fluorescent Imaging in the Assessment of a Tongue Flap After Lateral Hemiglossectomy. Cureus 13(5): e15248. doi:10.7759/cureus.15248
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