M4 Rebecka Ernst’s journey across Missouri paves path to Match Day 2025

Each spring, medical students from the University of Missouri School of Medicine are joined by family and friends to celebrate Match Day. The annual event marks the occasion where medical students from across the country open the envelope that contains their residency match.

Like her Class of 2025 peers, fourth-year medical student Rebecka Ernst’s journey to Match Day has included unforgettable experiences and invaluable relationships. Her journey has spanned Missouri, featuring stops in the cities of Savannah, Sikeston, Springfield and Columbia.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Science in 2020 from Mizzou, Ernst soon after joined the School of Medicine through the Lester R. Bryant Scholars Program. The pre-admissions program encourages young individuals from rural backgrounds to pursue a medical education. As a native of Savannah, Missouri - population of 5,000 - Ernst was a perfect fit.

“Being a part of the Bryant Scholars Program has been an incredibly meaningful aspect of my medical education,” said Ernst. “It provided me with early mentorship, a sense of community and a strong support system that has guided me through medical school. The program has helped reinforce my passion for serving rural communities and given me invaluable opportunities to connect with physicians and patients in underserved settings.”

The ability to engage in hands-on clinical experiences in rural communities is an advantage for all Bryant Scholars. Following her first year of medical school, Ernst had the opportunity to spend four weeks with her Bryant mentor, Fallan Mayabb, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Sikeston, Missouri. Tasks included performing speculum exams and serving as lead assistant in Dr. Mayabb’s surgeries.

Ernst is proud to be a part of the School of Medicine and aiding its mission in improving the supply and distribution of physicians in rural Missouri.

“My experience in Sikeston was the first time I really saw myself as being capable of being a surgeon,” said Ernst. “The hands-on exposure in a field as intimate as OBGYN was one I wouldn’t have been able to get as a medical student without participating in rural track through Bryant and Rural Scholars.”

Ernst has spent a majority of her fourth and final year in the School of Medicine at MU’s Springfield Clinical Campus. The Springfield campus was established in 2016 in partnership with CoxHealth and Mercy health systems, allowing medical students like Ernst to complete their clerkship education through patient-centered care in one of Missouri’s largest metros.

Under the guidance of David Haustein, MD, MBA, associate dean for Springfield Clinical Campus, and Jill Wiggins, director of student affairs, Ernst immediately felt welcomed and supported upon her arrival.

“I had the privilege to work with outstanding clerkship directors, faculty and staff who were all deeply invested in my education and success,” said Ernst. “The smaller class sizes on campus allowed for one-on-one learning opportunities, strengthening my clinical and surgical skills. The personalized mentorship and hands-on experiences I gained at the Springfield Clinical Campus made it such a unique and supportive place to learn.”

While in Springfield, Ernst learned under the tutelage of mentor Molly Greenwade, MD, an gynecologic oncologist for CoxHealth. Thanks to MU’s unique partnership with Springfield’s health systems, she continued to gain indispensable exposure in her field.

“Dr. Greenwade’s guidance, encouragement and dedication to both patient care and medical education has had a profound impact on my development as a physician,” said Ernst. “She’s a true role model in demonstrating the importance of both clinical experience and compassionate care. I’m incredibly grateful for her mentorship.”

As Ernst reflects on her four years at the School of Medicine, she says the ability to train in an array of communities across Missouri gave her a well-rounded perspective on the diverse healthcare needs in the state. Because of her experiences, she’s a become proponent of all medical students learning from a variety of cases and patient populations.

“Every community in Missouri and across the country possess unique healthcare challenges,” said Ernst. “Gaining exposure to these differences not only broadens clinical knowledge but also fosters adaptability and empathy. Learning from physicians in different settings has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of patient care and the importance of tailoring treatment to fit individual and community needs.”