Every Match Season is an Opportunity to Learn

By Timothy Waxweiler, MD

As a program director, I have come to appreciate that successful resident recruitment is not simply an annual cycle, but a long-term investment in our students, our residents, and our department.

For our students, successful recruitment begins long before interview season. It starts with introducing them to the unique and meaningful field of radiation oncology, nurturing their curiosity about cancer care, and helping them understand what we do. Admittedly, I am biased, but I believe that many students are drawn to radiation oncology once they learn more about it.

For our residents, successful recruitment means creating the kind of training environment in which people can grow, thrive, and feel supported over the four foundational years they spend with us. Residency is not only a period of rigorous clinical and professional development, but also a time when trainees experience important life moments — weddings, growing families, and new friendships. When we help our residents become the best versions of themselves in work and life, we hope that our culture becomes evident to future trainees and helps draw them to our program.

For our department, successful recruitment means building a culture that challenges and supports in equal measure — one that pushes us to grow but also provides space for us to care for our trainees, our patients, and one another. It means asking for help when needed, offering it when we can, and recognizing that the strength of a program comes from the way people work together. Even in a field where we so often meet patients and families in difficult moments, there is joy and fulfillment in doing meaningful work together.

I won’t pretend that we have resident recruitment perfected, but we are trying, investing, and learning each year. Most of all, we are grateful for the privilege of helping guide such talented, compassionate, and promising future colleagues into our field and our community.

Dr. Waxweiler is an associate professor and the radiation oncology residency program director at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine.