Match Day Profile: Rachel Schuurs

Every third Friday in March, fourth-year medical students across the United States learn where the next chapter in their careers will be written. Match Day is the day when the National Resident Matching Program releases results to applicants in sealed envelopes, revealing where they will spend the next several years in residency, training in their chosen specialty. After years of preparation and study, it is a long-awaited and well-deserved day to celebrate. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix is profiling several students for Match Day 2025.

Meet Rachel Schuurs

Born in Santa Clarita, California, Rachel Schuurs attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for her undergraduate studies, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Schuurs had been interested in potentially pursuing medicine prior to college, but it was during her time there that she was able to get hands-on patient care experience. Her volunteer work at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center confirmed her passion for the field and desire to become a physician.

Among her biggest supporters are her family, especially her parents. Schuurs said when her parents visited her during her first year of medical school, they fell in love with Phoenix and decided to move to Scottsdale.

This move ended up being invaluable when Schuurs began facing personal health challenges in her second year of medical school. Having her parents close by has been a constant source of strength, and she is beyond grateful for their unwavering support.

Path Toward Medicine

What was the spark that led you to become a physician?

As a child, I watched my previously healthy and energetic relative fall seriously ill. What started as a lingering cough turned out to be heart failure, ultimately leading to them receiving a heart transplant. I remember being in awe that something as extraordinary as an organ transplant was even possible. 

Visiting them in the hospital, I also witnessed the incredible compassion and dedication of their doctors. Their care and expertise not only saved their life but also sparked my own desire to pursue medicine and to be part of a field where I could make that kind of difference in someone’s life.

Choosing a Specialty

Do you have a specialty? What is it and why did it interest you, or what led you to it?

I have chosen to pursue neurology, a decision deeply shaped by my own health struggles during medical school. For years, I suffered from severe, chronic migraines that have been poorly responsive to treatment.

During my second year, I experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which led to the discovery of a large patent foramen ovale (PFO) — a hole between the upper chambers of my heart — that put me at high risk for stroke and was a potential contributor to my migraines. 

My neurologist and cardiologist recommended PFO closure, but my insurance provider refused to cover the procedure, disputing whether my event was truly ischemic. 

For two years, I continued to live with near-constant pain, nausea, and other migraine symptoms, in addition to uncertainty and the looming threat of a potential stroke. 

It wasn’t until I had a second TIA at the beginning of my fourth year that my insurance provider finally approved the procedure, and I underwent PFO closure in August 2024. Since then, my migraines have nearly disappeared, and my quality of life has improved substantially.

Although this experience was incredibly challenging — especially while balancing the demands of medical school — it has served to ultimately delineate my calling and solidify my decision to pursue neurology.

Because of what I was going through, I felt a deep connection with patients navigating chronic neurological conditions, as I understood firsthand the frustrations, uncertainties and resilience required. My experience as a patient also reinforced the importance of advocacy; even with substantial health care literacy, I still struggled to advocate for myself as a patient and access the care I needed. 

Neurology has become an exciting, rapidly evolving field with groundbreaking and innovative therapies, but many systemic barriers exist that prevent patients from receiving them. 

My own experiences have instilled in me a profound commitment to advocating for my future patients, to ensure they receive the care they need and to empower them in their own health journeys, because I know firsthand how difficult it is to navigate our current health care system.

What’s Next

Post-Match Day, what are your goals moving forward?

I am incredibly excited to begin this new chapter, so most immediately my goal is to fully immerse myself in my residency training — with the aim of becoming the best neurologist I can be, focusing on building a strong clinical foundation and learning from my mentors and patients. 

Looking ahead, I anticipate pursuing a fellowship, though I am keeping an open mind as I explore different subspecialties. Ultimately, I just want to gain as much experience as possible and find my niche within neurology — one where I can make the greatest impact.

The College of Medicine – Phoenix Culture

What will you miss most about the College of Medicine – Phoenix? Any advice for incoming medical students?

What I’ll miss most about the College of Medicine – Phoenix is, without a doubt, the people. The college fosters a unique culture of collaboration, support and genuine care for one another. I’ve had the privilege of learning alongside some of the most talented, selfless and kind individuals. Being a part of this community has been an incredible experience. 

Additionally, throughout my journey, there have been many times when I needed to reach out for support, and without fail, there was always someone — a friend, classmate, faculty/staff member, administrator, etc. — who was willing and able to help.

My advice for incoming students goes along with this: never be afraid to reach out for help or support when you need it. Medical school is challenging — at times, even brutal — but you do not have to go through it alone.  

Find your support system, connect with your classmate and take advantage of the many resources the college offers, whether it's academic support, mentorship or mental health and wellness services — whatever you need. Asking for help is not a weakness — it is a strength. Lean on those around you, and remember that this journey is about growth, not perfection.