Match Day Student Profile: Cayman Martin

For four years, students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix have worked toward Match Day — the day they learn where they will spend the next several years as resident-physicians and a major step toward building their career in medicine. Match results are released nationally at ceremonies coordinated to occur at the exact same time across the country. Members of the Class of 2020 will receive letters that reveal where they will go for their residency training at precisely 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 20. The UA College of Medicine – Phoenix is profiling several students in advance of Match Day 2020.

Meet Cayman Martin

Martin has lived in Arizona since she was 12. She was homeschooled for 10 years and earned her GED when she was 16. After receiving her associates degree from Paradise Valley Community College, she transferred to Barrett, the Honors College, at Arizona State University. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in psychology and a minor in biology.

Path toward Medicine

Martin decided to pursue a career in medicine after she was treated for a deep vein thrombosis when she was 20 years old.

“While in the emergency department, I noticed the medical scribes working with the physicians. After I was admitted to the hospital, I applied for a scribe job and started working in the same emergency department two weeks later. The physicians I met while scribing were amazing mentors and helped guide me along the path to medical school.”

Choosing a Specialty

“I am going to be a family medicine doctor!”

Martin sees significant value in continuity of care for patients. She loves developing a partnership with her community and caring for patients through every stage in their lives. She also is attracted to the variety that family medicine provides.

She is particularly interested in addiction medicine, reproductive rights, health care policy, office procedures, wilderness medicine and LGBTQ care.

Extracurricular Activities

Martin pursued a Certificate of Distinction in Service Learning because she wanted to be involved with organizations that are vital to the community. She has volunteered with and organized events for homeless clinics, an after-school recreation center, Arizona Animal Welfare League, Native Health and Hospice of the Valley. She also was co-leader for the College of Medicine – Phoenix Emergency and Wilderness student interest groups, where she helped plan MedWAR and a toxicology discussion with a dozen live rattlesnakes in partnership with the Phoenix Herpetological Society.

Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix

“I chose the College of Medicine – Phoenix for its culture of wellness and emphasis on student support. I knew medical school would be difficult wherever I went, but I wanted to be here because students seemed so much happier and more balanced than at other schools. I also wanted to stay in Phoenix and continue to learn in this incredible community.”

Favorite Medical School Memory

Among Martin’s favorite memories was her first day of third-year clerkships when she started in cardiothoracic surgery.

“When the attending found out it was my very first day, he decided to make it the most epic day ever for me. I got to be first assist on a coronary artery bypass graft. He let me help open and close the chest, hold the saphenous vein and touch a beating heart. It was one of the most incredible and humbling experiences ever.”

Another favorite memory was theme days on exam days, including Denim Day, Luau Day and Star Wars Day.

Advice to Current or Future Medical Students

Her advice is to make time for hobbies. She said she has been happiest when she made time to go on a hike, read a book for fun, cook dinner for friends and exercise.

“Don’t sacrifice those things because you need to study for eight hours, instead of seven. I promise. Those seven hours are plenty.”

• More Match Day 2020 Student Profiles.