Match Day Profile: Jordan Mackner

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 2026.

Meet Jordan Mackner

Originally from Moorhead, Minnesota, Jordan Mackner chose to remain close to home for his undergraduate education at Concordia College, where he built the academic and personal foundation that ultimately led him to medicine.

He credits his family — his mother Debbie, father David, and brothers John and Jared — along with his girlfriend, Kasia, as his unwavering support system. Their steady encouragement, honest perspective, and constant belief in him served as both an anchor and a source of momentum through the challenges and defining milestones of medical school.

Path Toward Medicine

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

In 2015, I was diagnosed with cancer. That experience profoundly changed the trajectory of my life. Being on the patient side of medicine gave me a deep appreciation for the trust patients place in their physicians and the impact thoughtful, compassionate care can have. It was during that time that I realized I wanted to pursue a career where I could combine scientific curiosity with meaningful patient impact.

Choosing a Specialty

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

I will be pursuing diagnostic radiology. Radiology initially appealed to me because of my family’s involvement in the field, but as I learned more about it, I was drawn to the diversity and intellectual challenge it offers. 

Radiology touches every specialty in medicine and plays a critical role in diagnosis, procedural guidance, and patient management. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of imaging and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines. Long term, I’m interested in potentially pursuing fellowship training in either Neuroradiology or Body Imaging.

What’s Next

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

Following Match Day, my focus will be on preparing for residency and continuing to grow clinically and academically within radiology. I hope to remain involved in medical education and national radiology organizations, and ultimately contribute to academic medicine in some capacity.

The College of Medicine – Phoenix Culture

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

I will miss my classmates most of all and the reminder that, even in the midst of rigorous training, medical school can be genuinely fun. Over time, the early mornings, long study sessions, and shared challenges created bonds that will last well beyond graduation. I’ll also miss the Phoenix community and the faculty who were consistently invested in our development, both professionally and personally.

For incoming students, my advice is to enjoy the process and resist the urge to magnify every small stressor and detail. Medical school is undeniably demanding, but it is also a rare and formative chapter. Stay grounded, lean on your support system, and keep sight of the reason you chose this path in the first place.