@NMatch2025: The Expansion of a Student-Led Social Media-Based Initiative Guiding Adult Neurology and Child Neurology Residency Applicants in a Digital Era
Shaina Anderson1, Katherine Bailey2, Roshini Chandrasekhar3, Amanda Gamboa4, Shannon Gu5, Fadi Hanna Al-Shaikh6, Beom Lee2, Cheyenne Lockwood7
1Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 2Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 3Kasturba Medical College, Manipal- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, 4Western University of Health Sciences, 5Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 6Columbus Central University School of Medicine, 7Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Objective:
To describe the expansion of the @NMatch2025 educational initiative in supporting medical students applying to adult neurology and child neurology residency programs in the United States.
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on the residency application process. Residency programs often rely on a strong online presence for applicant engagement. NMatch is a student-led social media-based initiative to promote networking, education, and information sharing within the online neurology community.
Design/Methods:
Timeline:
May: @NMatch2025 leaders transitioned.
June: NMatch published its official website.
July: NMatch launched its mentorship program and event calendar.
August: NMatch launched Program Feature posts on social media and hosted three panels with adult neurology program directors.
September: NMatch hosted three panels with child neurology program directors.
Results:
Mentorship Program:
158 mentees and 101 mentors participated in this year’s mentorship program. The mentee cohort consisted of 25 US MDs, 18 DOs, and 115 IMGs, with 4% identifying as nontraditional students and 34% identifying as underrepresented in medicine. The mentor cohort consisted of 77 residents, 7 fellows, and 17 attending physicians.
Social Media Analytics:
From the leadership transition in May 2024 to September 2024, we increased Twitter/X followers from 9,178 to 10,246 and Instagram followers from 3,601 to 4,119.
Program Features:
50 residency programs participated in this year’s Program Features. 17/50 programs were featured for the first time.
Program Director Panels:
NMatch’s adult neurology program director panels had an average of 71 attendees per panel. The child neurology program director panels had an average of 37 attendees per panel.
Conclusions:
NMatch continues to provide educational resources and guidance to prospective neurologists through an interactive online community. NMatch has created program features, maintained a robust event calendar, coordinated six program director panels, built a mentorship program, and grown its online presence on social media, demonstrating significant growth from previous years.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.