Mizzou couple reflects on their path to Match Day 2026

Fourth-year medical students Ashwin Garlapaty and Morgan Kluge’s path to this year’s University of Missouri School of Medicine Match Day began in 2018. As freshmen at Mizzou, they initially met after moving into the same residence hall. Soon after, the pair began dating and spent nearly every day together, both inside and outside the classroom.

Garlapaty and Kluge both eyed a future in healthcare and were ultimately accepted into the Mizzou School of Medicine.

“Our medical school journeys have been in concert from the start, including taking several classes together on our pre-medical track,” said Garlapaty. “It was a stressful time taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and each of us applying to medical schools across the Midwest, simply hoping we’d end up relatively close to each other. When we found out we had both been accepted to Mizzou’s School of Medicine, we were thrilled and relieved.”

In August 2022, Garlapaty and Kluge joined their classmates at the annual Stethoscope Breakfast and White Coat Ceremony, two honored Mizzou School of Medicine traditions. The events marked their first steps as future physicians and the beginning of many memorable moments throughout their medical school journey.

Like all medical students, they spent the next four years growing through demanding coursework, full days in the clinic, and the steady pace of a rigorous training experience. To Garlapaty and Kluge’s advantage however, the ability to lean on each other for support during those demanding times was pivotal.

“I’ve loved going through all the obstacles of medical school with Ashwin by my side,” said Kluge. “He has been a huge emotional support system for me. It has helped that he understands exactly what I’m going through if I’m feeling stressed and/or sleep deprived. Instead of clashing, I think both of us have really benefited from going to medical school with the other and never feeling like we’re at this alone.”

As Match Day approaches on March 20, the pair will be joined by their families to make the event even more special. As Garlapaty and Kluge celebrate their residency matches in orthopaedic surgery and family medicine, respectively, they also can’t wait to see the results of their Class of 2026 peers.

“From undergrad to now medical school, we’ve been so lucky to go through this journey together at Mizzou,” said Garlapaty. “Sharing the joy and excitement with so many of our classmates will also be special and we’re anxious to see where everyone ends up.”

As the School of Medicine atrium is filled with the Class of 2026 medical students anxiously awaiting the moment to open their residency match envelopes, Kluge says she will remember the individuals who helped shape her path and memorable moments with her peers.

“During my third year, I was still figuring out what to specialize in and I was fortunate to work with incredible Mizzou School of Medicine faculty like Dr. Reiana Mahan, Dr. Hanna Gov-Ari and Dr. Allison Kolker,” said Kluge. “They inspired me to my eventual specialty in family medicine. Learning from them and seeing their dedication and passion for the field has me even more excited for my residency.”