The University of Wyoming’s Department of Graduate Medical Education – Family Medicine announced on April 14 that all three of its residency programs filled their open positions during Match Day, held March 20. The Casper Family Medicine Residency, Cheyenne Family Medicine Residency, and the Rural Training Track in Thermopolis each welcomed new residents for the upcoming year.
This achievement is important as it helps address health care needs in both rural and urban areas across Wyoming. Filling these positions ensures that more physicians will be trained to serve communities throughout the state.
Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences, said, “As dean of the College of Health Sciences, I am proud that all of our family medicine residency programs fully matched in 2026, reflecting the strength and quality of our training programs and the dedication of our outstanding faculty and staff. This achievement highlights the growing recognition of Wyoming as a leader in community-centered medical education and, most importantly, strengthens our ability to meet the health care needs of communities across the state.”
Nationally this year was notable for family medicine residencies. According to data from the American Academy of Family Physicians reported by UW’s announcement, more than 800 residencies offered a record-setting 5,512 positions through the National Resident Matching Program. Of those positions, 4,613 were filled—a new record—with U.S. medical school seniors filling over half and international graduates accounting for an additional significant portion.
The incoming class at UW comes from a variety of academic backgrounds with connections to Wyoming and surrounding regions. Institutions represented include Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College; Morehouse School; Pacific Northwest University; Rocky Vista University; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of New Mexico; and University of North Dakota.
Beth Robitaille, physician and institutional officer for GME – Family Medicine at UW said: “We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of incoming residents to our programs. The caliber and character of this class speak to the growing reputation of our programs and our shared commitment to training physicians who will serve Wyoming and rural communities across the region. We look forward to the contributions they will make both during their training and in their careers that follow.”
The university’s successful match is seen as part a broader trend toward strengthening primary care education nationwide.
