WKYC-TV Heartstrings segment features NEOMED’s Match Day

A great day for two NEOMED students on Match Day

Match Day 2026 brought double the joy for two Northeast Ohio Medical University students whose personal and professional journeys joined together at the University. Maximilian “Max” Dawson, of Youngstown, and Emily Arellano, of Wadsworth, first met at NEOMED—then fell in love while navigating the challenges of medical school together. On Friday, March 20, their hopes for the future became reality as they opened their envelopes and discovered they had both matched at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

It was exactly the outcome they had been wishing for in the months leading up to the National Residency Match. The couple had ranked programs side‑by‑side, hoping their paths would remain aligned.

“I think that’s the biggest fear—and that’s the worry—that you’ll end up in two different places, and that’ll put a strain on your relationship,” Emily said moments after learning the good news. “But, you know, being at the same institution, I think it’s gonna be amazing!”

Max shared that the odds of matching together were far from guaranteed. “There were 260 random combinations that we could have had together, and we just got lucky enough that we are at the same place,” he said. “Seeing all my classmates, my best friends, the love of my life—it’s awesome.”

Emily will begin her residency in orthopaedic surgery, while Max will train in general surgery. Together, they’re excited to take on the next chapter as physicians and partners.