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On March 17, medical students across the United States discovered the outcomes of their residency applications, and for Jessica Pereira, it was a day of disappointment as she did not secure a position.
The 30-year-old took to TikTok to express her feelings about not being matched in her desired specialties: plastic surgery or even general surgery, her second choice.
Currently, Pereira is throwing herself into the pursuit of any available residency opportunities, even if it means being far from her fiancé, who started his residency in Alabama a year ago.
Jessica Pereira’s path to medicine was not a lifelong dream; rather, it began after she transitioned from a competitive swimming career, abandoning her Olympic aspirations for a future in healthcare.
After completing her undergraduate education, Pereira faced her first significant challenge: gaining acceptance into medical school in the U.S. When she was turned away from all American institutions, she sought her education at the Trinity School of Medicine in the Caribbean. Over the span of four years, she dedicated herself to her studies, whether at the library or during her clinical rotations in U.S. hospitals.
With graduation approaching, Pereira applied for residency programs in both plastic surgery and general surgery. Match Day arrived on March 17, bringing with it disappointment as her inbox revealed she had not matched with any program.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she reflected on the daunting nature of seeking residency in plastic surgery, acknowledging it was a “long shot”. However, she was caught off guard by the news that she did not receive a spot in her secondary choice.
Jessica Pereira
The hopeful medical student recounted, “I really thought I was going to match with general surgery. During one of my rotations, a program director even told me, ‘If it were legal, I’d offer you a spot right now.’ The chief resident assured me I was among their top students.”
Her objective had been to complete a five-year general surgery residency followed by a fellowship in plastic surgery. Her determination and perseverance reflect her character.
“I’m naturally an optimistic person,” Pereira shares. “I actively sought opportunities. I’ve had interviews alongside Ivy League graduates, so I felt that if I made it this far through adversity, I shouldn’t count myself out.”
Filled with hope and buoyed by encouraging feedback during her rotations, Pereira had envisioned a successful outcome. She has been chronicling her journey on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, sharing both triumphs and struggles in pursuit of her medical career. She was confident that her announcement would be a jubilant one.
“I genuinely believed I would match; I had even bought my outfit for Match Day. I envisioned the audio for my social media post,” she recalled. “It was a shocking moment on Monday when I learned I hadn’t matched.”
Her emotional TikTok update, which has garnered over 89,000 views, began with the words, “I honestly don’t know the best way to share this. I did not match.”
Appreciating the support from her followers and friends after that day, she expressed the exhaustion she felt from the emotional turmoil, saying, “I keep putting myself out there only to feel heartbroken all over again.”
Days later, Pereira revealed to PEOPLE that she is still processing the emotionally challenging situation.
“I ask myself, ‘Does this mean I’m one of those people? I have a whole M.D., yet I am not able to practice? Does this imply I am not meant to be a surgeon? What’s next?’ This is truly tough,” she confided.
Initially hesitant to share her disappointment, Pereira deemed it vital to portray the realities of her journey. Throughout her time in medical school, she often felt isolated, like she was the only one facing such struggles.
“Social media often showcases success stories, leaving those of us grappling with challenges feeling invisible. I decided to speak out about my reality,” she explained.
Connecting with fellow medical students during her rotations showed Pereira that many others were also experiencing similar challenges. Their stories motivated her to share her own hardships publicly.
The response to her content has been overwhelmingly supportive. Pereira was particularly moved by the heartfelt comments following her Match Day revelation, receiving messages from pre-med students, medical school peers, and practicing physicians.
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Pereira noted, “[I’ve heard] stories about challenges people faced, such as failing board exams or not matching. It’s amazing to see how they have thrived afterward.” The positive reactions have significantly helped her cope during this difficult time.
Fortunately, the encouragement she receives from her partner, Tosin Oladunjoye, further uplifts her spirits. The couple met on their first day of medical school when they were seated next to each other during the white coat ceremony. Although they began their educational journeys simultaneously, Pereira faced delays as she prepared for her board exams.
Oladunjoye matched successfully into an emergency medicine residency in Alabama after graduating from Trinity last year. Pereira had hoped to remain in Florida, close to home and her fiancé.
Through this tumultuous period following Match Day, Oladunjoye has proven to be an incredibly caring partner, finding ways to support her even while managing his demanding residency.
“I don’t know what I’d do without him,” Pereira reflected. “He’s currently in a challenging trauma block at work and still takes time to check in on me regularly.”
“The other day, I heard him rushing down the stairs while on the phone with me, just to make sure I was okay,” she said, expressing her gratitude for his unwavering support.
Presently, Pereira is in Alabama with her fiancé to celebrate what they had hoped would be a joyous Match Day. Despite the unfortunate news, she appreciates that Oladunjoye treats her with respect and recognition for her aspirations.
“Every day when he gets home, he greets me with, ‘Hello, my surgeon,’ ” she remarked. “He reinforces that I am destined to be a surgeon, and that we haven’t arrived just yet.”
While Pereira’s residency prospects are limited, they are not entirely closed off. Unmatched students have the opportunity to pursue available positions through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), and Pereira applied for preliminary general surgery positions nationwide.
If successful, she could secure a temporary surgery role. Despite the broader options through SOAP, Pereira remains steadfast in her desire to become a surgeon.
Unfilled residency programs reach out to applicants from Monday to Thursday, with multiple rounds of offers throughout the day. By midday Thursday, Pereira had not yet received any offers.
“The odds are getting slimmer,” she explained. “The longer I wait, the more spots are taken, and by mid-week, the chances diminish significantly.”
Jessica Pereira
As a backup, Pereira is also applying to research year programs in plastic surgery to maintain momentum towards her goal and create valuable connections.
She may also consider pursuing a match through external support post-SOAP, although she notes that this is an uncommon occurrence.
“With support from my school and connections I’ve built with physicians, I’ll need their help to advocate for my placement,” she elaborated. “I’m in the process of rallying my supporters to assist me in securing a position before residency begins in July.”
Remaining open to possibilities, Pereira understands she may have to relocate far from her fiancé. Recently, she sought his input on whether to wait for a potential offer from his program.
“He replied, ‘If it’s a position in Michigan, you’re going. I’ll come see you there after I graduate.’ We’re both prepared for any scenario,” she said with determination. “Given the circumstances, it’s crucial to remain flexible and open-minded.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Pereira remains hopeful, drawing inspiration from a social media role model, Dr. Amaka Nwubah, a plastic surgeon who also faced difficulties during her own residency match.
“Dr. Nwubah shared her journey on social media about not matching as well, and she is now thriving in her own practice. She’s been incredibly supportive and is actively assisting me in finding opportunities,” Pereira noted.
While Pereira continues to navigate her situation, she urges other unmatched medical students and aspiring physicians to keep striving towards their goals.
“Currently, I feel unanchored. It’s challenging, and I know this is just a moment in time, but I encourage everyone to stay resilient,” she insisted.
“You’ve come too far to fall short now. Believe that you will ultimately find your way to where you are meant to be, and it will lead to the best outcome for you.”
Read the full article on People
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