DOVER — Bayhealth played matchmaker for students joining the hospital system’s Graduate Medical Education program Friday at its Kent Campus.

Match Day is a defining moment in the careers of medical students, marking when they learn which residency they will be training in over the next several years.

At Bayhealth, these individuals are assigned to one of three residency pathways. During the second annual event Friday, three medical students were assigned to general surgery, eight to family medicine and 13 to internal medicine.

Dr. Kendall Barton, a member of Bayhealth’s inaugural Family Medicine Residency Program, helped host the event and applauded the hospital’s leadership for his success.

“I never thought I would get the opportunity to provide health care to a population that is so overwhelmingly appreciative to have someone care for them and listen to what they have to say,” he said.

“None of this would be possible without the incredible leadership, mentorship and support of the members, not only in my own residency program, but everyone across the board at Bayhealth Medical Center.”

The Family Medicine Residency Program director, Dr. Brintha Vasagar, said that this year was very competitive for the students, as Bayhealth received over 3,000 applications. She said she and her team held about 300 interviews, adding that Bayhealth is the perfect place for the eight new family medicine residents.

“From the leadership that supports everything we believe in, to the nursing and the staff who work with our residents and teach them every day, to our faculty who remind them that it’s not only important to be a good doctor but to be a good person, (to) our residents who we adore, they’re the right people for here,” Dr. Vasagar said.

Terry Murphy, president and CEO of Bayhealth, said Match Day was historic and that the positive effect these residents will make is immense. He credited GME residents with providing much-needed access to health care during the pandemic.

“It was an unbelievable impact. They’ve created a culture of learning and teaching that goes throughout the organization and just creates a whole different culture, and for that, I’m so appreciative.” Mr. Murphy said.

The GME initiative is the first of its kind in Kent and Sussex counties, and as a part of the project, students will train in their respective residencies for up to five years.

Friday’s event launched the first year of the General Surgery Residency Program, and according to Bayhealth colorectal surgeon and GME chair Dr. Assar Rather, it is a more intense and longer program. Family medicine and internal medicine participants typically spend three years as residents, but general surgery residents must train for five.

Dr. Rather added that these students will learn how to operate a variety of cutting-edge surgical equipment, as well as techniques for minimally invasive surgery and robotics. He said that, at its core, the residencies will ensure safe and quality care for Bayhealth patients.

“At the same time, this program will entice talented, young, bright medical students to Bayhealth. The general surgery program will keep us driven and ahead of the curve,” he said.

General surgery residency director Dr. Bradford Mitchell said he is honored to be part of the GME process and to lead it in its first year at Bayhealth. He noted that he helped coordinate interviews on 70 candidates, chosen out of a pool of 660 applicants.

“I’m really proud that we are going to have a state-of-the-art training program for residents,” he said. “The goal of all of this is to make sure that we provide state-of-the-art care for our patients in Kent and Sussex (counties), and I look forward to being involved as a part of the surgery program here at Bayhealth.”

Dr. Joseph Deutsch, director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, shared his colleagues’ enthusiasm, saying he’s excited to welcome 13 residents and hailed their yearslong journey to Match Day.

These residents will begin their training in the hospital setting and at Bayhealth practices in July, and Dr. Deutsch said that this experience will greatly benefit the communities the hospital system serves.

“You get to meet new people, welcome new people, but for them, this is the one time for their Match Day,” he said. “This is such a historic achievement here at Bayhealth. We have a program that is growing, and the impact that these residents are making in the community is going to grow exponentially for years to come.”