Match Day Student Profile: Madeline Heiland

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 Madeline Heiland

Madeline Heiland grew up in Arizona and attended Xavier College Preparatory High School before moving to Omaha, Neb., where she studied biology, Spanish and Hispanic studies while attending Creighton University.

Path toward Medicine

Heiland’s father is a physician and her memories of accompanying him on weekend rounds were one reason she wanted to become a doctor.

“From a young age I had a parent who was happy in medicine,” she said. “In grade school, I enjoyed science, and in high school, I developed a sense of service to others. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.”

Choosing a Specialty

Heiland has already matched at University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas in ophthalmology.

“Ophthalmology is the perfect mix of surgery, procedures, clinic and continuity of patient care. It is an innovative field where I know I will be challenged. The opportunity to preserve and restore patients’ vision is very meaningful to me, and it is a dream to be joining this field.”

Heiland became interested in ophthalmology after her first year of medical school when she spent time with Mark Salevitz, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist, at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. While involved in the ophthalmology Student Interest Group she met Mandi Conway, MD, and Gholam Peyman, MD, who became teachers and mentors. Last summer she completed a research elective in Salt Lake City with Majid Moshirfar, MD, a corneal and refractive surgeon, which Heiland said was an “incredible experience.”

Extracurricular Activities

The most impactful volunteer opportunities for Heiland were at the Foundation for Blind Children and Ryan House, a pediatric respite care home through Hospice of the Valley. During her second year, Heiland was the CHIP leader for the Foundation for Blind Children and led the Student Interest Group in ophthalmology. As a third-year, she interned in the foundation’s Youth and Family Services Department.

Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix

She applied to the College of Medicine – Phoenix because she considers Phoenix home.

“At my interview day, I felt welcomed and impressed by the program, and those feelings have held true through my experience here,” she said.

Favorite Medical School Memory

“I loved the day-to-day experiences with classmates on third-year rotations,” Heiland said. “Good camaraderie makes any day better.”

She said the highlight of medical school was getting married during her fourth year. Her husband was a dental student at Creighton University, so they had more than three years of separation before their big day.

Advice to Current or Future Medical Students

Keep in mind the bigger picture. “When you value and are grounded in your identity outside of medicine, you are able to weather the stresses of medical school more gracefully,” she said.

• More Match Day 2020 Student Profiles.