The students of Albert Einstein College of Medicine celebrated their annual Match Day – a rite of passage as they transition from students to doctor.

Over 150 students celebrated as they learned what hospitals they will be assigned to for the next four years, training and pursuing their dream careers of becoming a doctor in their field of study.

"The transition from medical student to resident is the most important milestone in the training of a physician so this is a big day.,” said Yaron Tomer, dean of Albert Einstein College of Science.

The students undergo a process that includes an algorithm from the National Resident Matching program before applying to different residency opportunities at different hospitals. They then rank the hospitals from their top choice down and once a match is made, students learn where they’ll be spending their future.

"Being able to get into this beautiful field and now I'm going to be able to stay home be here and serve this community,” said Cristian Escalera, who was matched with the orthopedic surgery department at Montefiore.

Thirty other students will be joining Escalera at Montefiore, ranging from family medicine to pediatrics and dermatology.