Two UMass Chan medical students match into their top choice program at Walter Reed

Two medical students, Colin Stoll and Suhas Suddala, both graduating in 2026 from the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School, have matched into highly competitive military residency programmes at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Preparing for Specialized Military Service

Colin Stoll will pursue a residency in internal medicine, inspired by his grandparents’ military service. He expressed that matching at Walter Reed is “an incredible honour” and looks forward to training with leaders in both medicine and military service. Stoll, who grew up in Woodstock, Illinois, previously studied psychology at the University of Notre Dame.

Did You Know? UMass Chan’s medical education is grounded in patient-centered care and systems-based thinking, according to Colin Stoll.

Suhas Suddala, an MD/MBA student, will specialize in anesthesia at Walter Reed. His interest in medicine stems from the importance of trust in the patient-physician relationship and he observed how distrust can delay care within South Asian communities. Suddala was born in Huzurabad, India, and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts.

The Value of Dual Training

Suddala highlighted the benefit of UMass Chan’s dual MD/MBA programme, stating it fostered critical thinking about healthcare operations and systems-level problem-solving. He believes physicians are uniquely positioned to identify and address shortcomings in healthcare systems to improve patient outcomes.

Expert Insight: The decision of physicians to pursue military residencies demonstrates a commitment to serving a unique patient population – active-duty service members, veterans, and their families – often in challenging environments.

Stoll and Suddala will both be promoted from U.S. Navy ensigns to lieutenants in May during an award ceremony at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. They are scheduled to begin their internships together in Maryland.

Looking Ahead

Other graduating medical students from UMass Chan participating in the National Resident Matching programme will learn their residency placements on March 20. The matching process is a pivotal moment for medical students, determining the next phase of their training and career paths. More students from UMass Chan will pursue careers in military medicine, building on the foundation laid by Stoll and Suddala.

Frequently Asked Questions

What programmes did Colin Stoll and Suhas Suddala match into?

Colin Stoll matched into internal medicine, and Suhas Suddala matched into anesthesia, both at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

What educational background does Suhas Suddala have?

Suhas Suddala is an MD/MBA student and a graduate of William & Mary, where he majored in psychology and business.

When will Stoll and Suddala be promoted?

Suddala and Stoll will be promoted from U.S. Navy ensigns to lieutenants in May during the award ceremony for the T.H. Chan School of Medicine.

How might the experiences gained at Walter Reed shape the future practise of medicine for these two physicians?