New Leadership at the National Resident Matching Program
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is excited to announce the appointment of five new distinguished members to its Board of Directors. This significant development comes with a momentous occasion as Natasha N. Bray, DO, MSEd, takes on the role of Chair of the Board. Her appointment marks an important milestone, distinguishing her as the first osteopathic physician to serve in this capacity.
Expressing her thoughts on this transition, Dr. Bray stated, "It is a tremendous honor to become NRMP Board Chair at such a pivotal time in medical education." The new members will join a dedicated group of professionals committed to the NRMP's mission to enhance the residency matching process for all future physicians.
A Legacy of Leadership
Dr. Bray assumes this leadership role following the esteemed tenure of Deborah S. Clements, MD, who has upheld this position with remarkable dedication. Dr. Clements, affiliated with Family and Community Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, guided NRMP through pivotal discussions concerning residency matching strategies during her term.
Reflecting on her leadership, Dr. Clements shared, "It has been a privilege to serve as Board Chair for the NRMP. The organization has made significant progress in strengthening stakeholder engagement, advancing data transparency, and fostering the Match community. I am confident that Dr. Bray will build on these accomplishments with strength and integrity."
Meet the New Board Members
Joining the Board are five exceptional leaders from diverse backgrounds in medical education and training:
Cary B. Aarons, MD, MSEd, FACS, FASCRS
Dr. Aarons serves as Program Director for General Surgery and Vice Chair of Education at Columbia University. He is also a Professor of Surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. After completing his General Surgery training at Boston University Medical Center, he pursued a fellowship in Colorectal Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Alizeh Abbas, MD
Currently a General Surgery resident at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB), Dr. Abbas holds pertinent roles within the American Journal of Surgery Student and Resident Scholar Committee and the Association of Women Surgeons. She obtained her MBBS in 2018 from Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan.
Glenn T. Ault, MD, MSEd
Dr. Ault is a Professor of Clinical Surgery specializing in colon and rectal surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He has also held positions including Chair of the Colon and Rectal Surgery Review Committee of ACGME. His surgical training was conducted at the University of Southern California.
Omari Baines-Waiz, DO, MBA
Dr. Baines-Waiz is currently a resident in the Atrium Health Psychiatry Residency Program. Active in advancing diversity and inclusion, she chairs the DEI Committee at Atrium Health and has shared her knowledge as a mentor. She holds a Master's in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida, in addition to her MBA and D.O. degrees from Lincoln Memorial University.
Mytien Nguyen, MS
An MD/PhD student at Yale School of Medicine specializing in Immunobiology, Ms. Nguyen advocates for health equity and has served on various national committees, contributing to advanced diversity in health professions. She is also a co-founder of the National First Gen & Low-Income Medicine Association.
NRMP President and CEO Donna L. Lamb, DHSc, MBA, BSN, remarked, "These five accomplished members will add valuable perspectives as the NRMP works to advance its mission and develop new strategic priorities. Collectively with Dr. Bray, they will continue to elevate the NRMP's role in serving applicants, programs, and medical communities with integrity and accountability."
About the National Resident Matching Program
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a private, non-profit organization that has been a cornerstone in the medical residency placement process since 1952. The program was initiated to create an organized and fair method to match medical students' preferences for residency positions with those of residency training program directors. Conducting an annual Main Residency Match for over 50,000 students, the NRMP also oversees Fellowship Matches across more than 75 subspecialties through its Specialties Matching Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the NRMP?
The NRMP oversees the residency matching process, ensuring a fair match between applicants and programs.
2. Who are the new members of the NRMP Board?
The new members include Cary B. Aarons, Alizeh Abbas, Glenn T. Ault, Omari Baines-Waiz, and Mytien Nguyen.
3. Who is the new Chair of the Board?
Dr. Natasha N. Bray is the newly appointed Chair, marking a historic moment as the first osteopathic physician in this role.
4. How does the NRMP support residency applicants?
It provides resources and facilitates a transparent matching process for prospective residents and fellowship candidates.
5. What significant changes have occurred recently?
The NRMP has progressed in stakeholder engagement and advancing data transparency under previous leadership, with plans for continued development.
