Match Day may be one of the most stressful days of a medical student's life. It's when fourth-year medical students learn where they'll spend the next several years training in residency.
Carly Woodin is a Morton native. She was selected for her first choice in a pediatrics program with OSF HealthCare.
"There's something that just draws me to the kids. I want to help the little kiddo, and educate the parents," Woodin said. "It just kind of brings all my missions together."
Woodin said she both gets the opportunity to be a kid herself working with children, while also helping to reassure scared parents.
Woodin's brother is her main inspiration for becoming a pediatrician. He has Down syndrome.
"It's hard to be empathetic all the time, but when you have a chronic illness, or something like Down syndrome, you can take a step back, and appreciate the importance of life, and the importance of family," she said.
Woodin said she's happy she doesn't have to leave Central Illinois.
"I'm incredibly happy that I get to stay home with family and have that support system through this next stage," she said.
Woodin said she's considering a career in pediatric emergency medicine.
