Petersburg Resident Among SIU Medical School Graduates Who 'Matched'

65 SIU medical students secured residency positions, including Tyler Jones of Petersburg who will train in urology.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:03am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a stethoscope repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the excitement and significance of medical students matching into residency programs.The National Resident Matching Program is a pivotal moment for aspiring physicians, determining where they will complete their advanced clinical training.Petersburg Today

Medical students at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, including Petersburg resident Tyler Jones, learned on March 20 where they will complete their postgraduate training through the National Resident Matching Program. A total of 65 SIU students secured residency positions, with the graduating Class of 2026 matching in a variety of specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology.

Why it matters

The National Resident Matching Program is a critical milestone for medical students, determining where they will receive their advanced clinical training. SIU's strong match results demonstrate the quality of its medical program and the success of its students in securing highly competitive residency positions across the country.

The details

The 65 SIU medical students who matched represent over 44,000 graduating students nationwide. Among the SIU Class of 2026, 8 students each (12%) matched in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, while 7 students (11%) will specialize in emergency medicine and 5 (8%) in anesthesiology. Other specialties represented include obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, dermatology, general surgery, neurology, and more. 13 students (20%) will begin training at SIU-affiliated programs, and 23 (35%) will remain in Illinois.

  • On March 20, 2026, medical students at SIU School of Medicine learned their residency placements through the National Resident Matching Program.
  • Commencement for the SIU Class of 2026 will take place on May 16, 2026.
  • The new physicians will begin their residency training in July 2026.

The players

Tyler Jones

A Petersburg, Illinois resident who was among the 65 SIU medical students who matched and will train in urology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

Haneme Idrizi, MD

The associate dean of student affairs and admissions at SIU School of Medicine, who addressed the graduating students on Match Day.

Careyana Brenham, MD

The associate dean for graduate medical education at SIU, who expressed excitement about welcoming new residents and fellows to the school's programs.

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

A public medical school located in Springfield, Illinois that saw 65 of its students match into residency programs across the country.

National Resident Matching Program

The system that annually matches graduating medical students with residency training programs in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Remember the strength, perseverance and determination that brought you to this point are the same qualities that will continue to guide you in the years ahead. Reaching this moment is a tremendous accomplishment and an exciting step in your training. You did it: You have a job!”

— Haneme Idrizi, MD, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions

“We're thrilled with our Match results and look forward to welcoming residents and fellows from our own SIU medical school and from schools across the country and around the world. SIU residents and fellows not only offer excellent patient care but they enrich our communities through their compassion, commitment and partnerships with our affiliate hospitals.”

— Careyana Brenham, MD, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education

What’s next

Commencement for the SIU Class of 2026 will take place on May 16, 2026, and the new physicians will begin their residency training in July 2026.

The takeaway

The strong match results for SIU medical students, including a Petersburg resident, demonstrate the school's ability to prepare future physicians for successful careers in a wide range of specialties. This is an exciting milestone for the graduates as they embark on the next phase of their medical training.