St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine students are celebrating a strong Match season, securing competitive internship and residency positions through the 2026 Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).
This year’s results nearly doubled last year’s total, with 60 matches compared to 37 in 2025. SGU-trained veterinarians achieved an overall match rate of 69.8 percent, above the match rate of approximately 49 percent for all veterinary schools—including those in the US, according to data released by the VIRMP, a program sponsored by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC).
Starting in June, these veterinarians will embark on advanced training in specialties including:
- surgery
- internal medicine
- radiology
- oncology
- sports medicine and rehabilitation, and more.
These opportunities span prestigious institutions within the SVM’s network of clinical affiliates, as well as leading specialty hospitals across the US and Canada.
“Congratulations to all who matched in this year’s VIRMP,” said Dr. Satesh Bidaisee, interim dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. “This year’s results once again reflect not only the academic strength of our students but also their perseverance and continued commitment to excellence. We are proud to see them earn placements at top institutions and confident they will continue to make meaningful contributions to veterinary medicine.”
Students shared their experiences and insights following Match Day.
Gabriela M. Medrano Valencia, DVM ’25
Matched: Sports medicine and rehabilitation residency, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Current location: Small animal rotating internship at Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD
What was your reaction to matching? I felt an overwhelming sense of relief knowing the wait was finally over, along with so much happiness and gratitude. I’m excited to begin this next chapter in the field I’m most passionate about with a team that will support my growth.
What are you most looking forward to in your residency? I’m looking forward to deepening my knowledge in my specialty while becoming more involved in research. I’m especially excited to continue practicing acupuncture and focus on the areas of medicine that inspire me most.
How will the residency further your career goals? This residency will provide the advanced clinical training and mentorship I need to become a well-rounded specialist in sports medicine and rehabilitation. It will also allow me to expand my research experience and explore both academic and private practice paths as I shape my future in the field.
Why did you choose your specialty and how did your experience at SGU influence your choice? My interest in integrative medicine began before veterinary school and grew through my experiences at SGU, including earning my acupuncture certification and joining the Integrative Veterinary Medicine Club. Clinical rotations in sports medicine and rehabilitation ultimately confirmed that this was the path I wanted to pursue.
Yue “Hannah” He, DVM ’26 (expected)
Matched: Small animal rotating internship, Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Referral Center, Toronto, Canada
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Current location: Clinical year at Cornell University
What was your reaction to matching? I was thrilled to match with my top choice and felt incredibly grateful for everyone who supported me along the way. My externship experience showed me the supportive environment there, and I knew it was where I wanted to start my career.
What are you most looking forward to in your internship? I’m excited to begin practicing as a new graduate with a strong support system around me. I look forward to working closely with specialists and continuing to grow into a well-rounded veterinarian.
How will the internship further your career goals? This internship will help me strengthen my clinical skills, build confidence, and challenge myself in a fast-paced environment. It will also help me determine if pursuing a residency in emergency and critical care is the right next step.
Why did you choose your specialty and how did your experience at SGU influence your choice? During my final year at SGU, conversations with professors and clinicians helped shape my understanding of internship opportunities and inspired me to pursue a rotating internship. Those experiences played a key role in guiding my decision after graduation.
Ashley Long, DVM ’26 (expected)
Matched: Comparative medicine residency, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Hometown: Pensacola, FL
Current location: Clinical year at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
What was your reaction to matching? I was completely shocked and incredibly excited to match with my top program. The moment was made even more special by the outpouring of support from family, friends, and loved ones who believed in me every step of the way.
What are you most looking forward to in your residency? I’m most looking forward to working with the Comparative Medicine team at Missouri, who made me feel so welcome from the start. I knew right away it was the kind of supportive environment I wanted to be part of.
How will the residency further your career goals? My goal is to work in research to help combat infectious and zoonotic disease outbreaks, and this program offers incredible opportunities to gain experience across a variety of species. It will be an important step in preparing me for a career in public health and research.
How did SGU help prepare you for the VIRMP process? I’m incredibly grateful to my research mentors, Dr. Andy Alhassan and Dr. Bhumika Sharma, for their guidance and support throughout my journey. The research experience and mentorship I received at SGU played a huge role in preparing me for externships and the residency application process.
Why did you choose your specialty and how did your experience at SGU influence your choice? I was inspired to pursue this specialty after seeing the critical role veterinarians played in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. My coursework and research experiences at SGU further strengthened my passion for making an impact in this area of veterinary medicine.
Ashley Alvarez Barone, DVM ’26 (expected)
Matched: Small animal rotating internship in medicine and surgery, Guardian Veterinary Specialists, Brewster, NY
Hometown: North Port, FL
Current location: Clinical year at The Ohio State University
What was your reaction to matching? I was so grateful and ecstatic to match, especially since I had hoped to move to New York. It felt incredibly rewarding to see that goal come to life.
What are you most looking forward to in your internship? I’m excited to step into a primary role and begin applying everything I’ve learned in a hands-on setting. I’m especially looking forward to the high caseload, broad exposure, and the chance to share this experience with my best friend from clinical year.
How will the internship further your career goals? This program will give me valuable exposure to both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery while learning from experienced surgeons. The diverse rotations will also help me grow into a well-rounded veterinarian.
Why did you choose your specialty and how did your experience at SGU influence your choice? I’ve always been drawn to surgery, even before starting veterinary medical school. My experiences during my third year at SGU reinforced that passion and confirmed it as the path I want to pursue.
Erin Connolly, DVM ’26 (expected)
Matched: Rotating internship, Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington, D.C.
Hometown: Wilton, CT
Current location: Clinical year at Texas A&M University
What was your reaction to matching? I was so happy and excited to match at my first-choice hospital after such a long journey. It feels surreal knowing I’ll soon be practicing as a doctor at a place I admire so much.
What are you most looking forward to in your internship? I’m looking forward to the long-awaited transition from student to doctor. I’m also excited to build confidence and proficiency with the support of talented, board-certified clinicians.
How will the internship further your career goals? As I plan to pursue a residency in internal medicine, this internship will help strengthen my foundation in managing complex cases. It will also give me the opportunity to refine my clinical reasoning while working closely with specialists.
How did SGU help prepare you for the VIRMP process? SGU’s Professional Development courses provided valuable guidance throughout the application and interview process. Those resources helped me feel prepared and confident every step of the way.
Why did you choose SGU? I chose SGU because I knew I would gain valuable hands-on experience early in my education while being supported by dedicated faculty. Just as importantly, it offered a close-knit community that truly felt like family, which made all the difference throughout my journey.
Gabriella Sanchez, DVM ’26
Matched: Small animal rotating internship, VCA Animal Specialty & Emergency Center, Los Angeles, CA
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Current location: Currently working relief vaccine clinic shifts in the San Diego area
What was your reaction to matching? I was ecstatic to match with a program where I immediately felt a strong connection during my interview. From the start, I knew it was an environment where I could learn and grow, and I’m so excited to begin.
What are you most looking forward to in your internship? I’m looking forward to growing as a clinician and building confidence in patient care. I’m especially excited to absorb as much knowledge as possible to prepare for specialization.
How will the internship further your career goals? This internship is an important first step toward my goal of specializing in zoo and aquatic medicine. It will help me build the clinical foundation needed to pursue that path.
Why did you choose your specialty and how did your experience at SGU influence your choice? I’ve always been fascinated by marine mammals and was excited to discover a field dedicated to their care. My zoo and aquatic medicine elective at SGU further strengthened that interest and solidified my goal of one day joining the field.
