Residency selection luck of draw

Thursday, March 21, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

But it's also cause to celebrate.

At precisely 9 a.m. Wednesday, thousands of graduating medical students across the country found out where they will be spending the next three years in residency before they become licensed physicians. The tradition is observed by medical schools across the nation, each of which has developed interesting ways to deliver the news.

In Los Angeles, students peeled their matches from envelopes taped to windows. In Reno, students plucked gift bags suspended from floating balloons. Las Vegas festivities at the University Medical Center had a Mexican theme.

University of Nevada School of Medicine students studying in Las Vegas were blindfolded, twirled and let loose with a stick. Takaji Kittaka broke a pinata, releasing envelopes with their matches.

Kittaka said he was overwhelmed.

"I guess you could say I got lucky with my draw," said Kittaka, who was matched with his first choice, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo.

"I'm looking forward to getting on with my life," he said. "I've had eight years of school and I'm a little tired of lectures. But now comes the real responsibility. Now all the decisions become real."

By Debra Bass