California Health Sciences University in Clovis celebrated a milestone Friday as 131 fourth-year medical students learned where they will begin their residencies, marking the school’s third consecutive year with a 100% match rate.

CHSU, which received a seven-year accreditation in 2024, said 69% of the 2026 class will enter primary care specialties. About 72% of graduates will stay in California for their residencies, including roughly a third in the Central Valley.

Hospitals with the most matches included Valley Children’s Hospital, Kaweah Health Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, and UCSF-Fresno. Notable specialties included radiology, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, surgery, pathology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and psychiatry.

Darius Assemi, whose family founded the school, said, “I’m excited to see a third straight year of a 100% match. More than 30% of students are staying in the Valley — a goal my family and the CHSU team have worked toward since 2012. I’m excited for the students and for the Valley. The future is bright.”

(Disclosure: GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi is one of CHSU’s founders and owners.)

About Match Day

Match Day is a nationwide event held at medical schools across the country. At 9 a.m. Friday, students learned where they will complete their residencies.

The event is part of Match Week, which begins on Monday when students learn whether they have been matched to a program.

After completing interviews, students submit a ranked list of preferred programs. Once matched, they are contractually bound to their assigned residency.

Students who do not match can participate in a “scramble,” during which hospitals with open residency positions select non-matched students to fill those spots.

Conversely, students who match with a program but choose to decline it cannot re-enter the match system to seek another residency.

7-Year Accreditation Provides Consistent Results

Dean Dr. John Graneto described the excitement of the day. “This is our most exciting day at any medical school…when all of our soon-to-be graduates find out where they’re going to be doing their residency training for the next three to four years.”

Dr. Graneto said the school is proud of its record. “It’s really an amazing record — three years in a row to have a 100% match, and even more amazing as a new school to have 100% residency match. And for having it to be three years in a row is just a tremendous honor and we’re quite proud of that.”

He noted the significance for the Central Valley. “Not only do we have our seven-year accreditation as a mark of quality, but our outcomes now being measured by 100% residency match really shows that we’re moving in the right direction and making a big impact for the Central Valley.”

CHSU Student Stoked to Stay in Fresno

Among the excited graduates was Courtney Hua, who sat with her parents as the clock struck 9 a.m. Ripping open her envelope, Hua could not contain her excitement — she had matched with her first-choice residency. She hugged her parents, and tears were shared all around. Originally from Lake Forest in Southern Orange County, Hua said staying in Fresno for her residency at UCSF-Fresno was her top choice.

“I really grew to love this community. There’s a large agricultural community, there’s a lot of need for health care here and especially specialty services like general surgery…So really happy, really blessed to be staying here. It was my number one choice.”

Hua said her experience at CHSU was strengthened by mentors and support systems.

“I had my family there for me every step of the way, and I had some really good mentors here at the school, too. I want to give a little shout out to Dr. Ozaki and Dr. Greywall…Because the stress gets really heavy, but they were always there for me. I knew I had a shoulder to lean on if I needed, and it’s been a great experience.”

Reflecting on why she chose general surgery, Hua said, “Liking to work with kids and being good with kids is different than being a doctor to kids…It’s really sad and…a lot of heartbreak in pediatrics sometimes. And then I also just felt like general surgery fit my personality more…like I really am kind of a meticulous person in nature, I’m a perfectionist at heart…I liked being able to improve on a technical skill. And I really like the teamwork and OR environment as well.”

She added that her family has been a driving force. “I’m technically the second doctor in my entire family…I’m the first female doctor in my family…everything that I’ve achieved up until this point and everything I will achieve is because of them.”

Finding Your Why

Hua offered advice for others considering medicine. “You always have to have a good why…you really have to love the field for what it is, all of its flaws. … So you have to love the patient care aspect. … If your passion doesn’t align there … stress will become too much to handle … so really find your why.”

Looking ahead to residency, Hua said, “General surgery residency is kind of hailed as the toughest residency there is. But I think I’m most excited for how I will come out on the end of it. I can’t wait to see what kind of person I am at the other end of. And of course, just try to enjoy it along the way as best as I can and be really understanding of the privilege that I have that I even get to become a doctor, that I get to become a surgeon.”

She also encouraged others to consider the Central Valley.

“I wish more people knew about Fresno … there’s a lot to love here. … There are health disparities that need your help here (but) Fresno is a great place to come live and work and just have a life.”

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