# 2027 Couples Match Signal Research

Research date: September 14, 2026

Exam-policy correction: Read the [program-by-program exam review](EXAM_POLICY_REVIEW_2027.md) before selecting signals. It separates USMLE Steps 1 and 2, COMLEX routes, first-attempt rules, pending-result deadlines, and conflicting sources. The highlighted 15 are not eligibility-cleared. Orthopaedic attempt policies remain unreviewed program by program.

Applicants: Colt, Orthopaedic Surgery plus General Surgery Preliminary, DO; Abigail, Obstetrics and Gynecology.

## Decision summary

The working General Surgery Preliminary board contains 42 programs across 33 couples-match markets. It intentionally exceeds the 15 General Surgery signals so the final list can be chosen after checking current MyERAS participation, program-specific exam screens, preliminary-track designation, and OBGYN overlap. The site starts with a provisional 15-program signal list and keeps 27 expansion choices available for swaps.

For the 2027 MyERAS season, Orthopaedic Surgery has 30 signals and General Surgery has 15. Signal selections can be changed until September 23, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. The AAMC also warns applicants to use MyERAS to confirm each individual program's participation [1].

The provisional General Surgery 15 are not a final submission recommendation. They prioritize current preliminary-track evidence, measured DO resident representation, and a usable OBGYN overlap market. Personal score thresholds, visa needs, geographic preferences, designated versus undesignated preliminary eligibility, and program-specific signaling participation still need to be applied.

## Evidence standard

1. Preliminary track: Current NRMP Program Directory status was preferred. A current official program page was used when it gave clearer preliminary-position detail [2].
2. DO evidence: A program qualified through at least 5 percent reported DO resident representation, or through a current DO applicant and exam pathway when composition was unavailable. Resident composition is evidence of prior representation, not proof of interview friendliness.
3. Exam screen: DO composition and exam requirements are independent. The separate Exam Policy filter and linked review distinguish required Steps, COMLEX routes, first-attempt rules, and unresolved policies. A missing rule is not treated as permission.
4. Couples-match overlap: Every candidate has an OBGYN program in the same city, metro market, or the site's approximate 70-mile overlap radius. The exact pairing should still be reviewed in the Geography view.
5. Statistics: FREIDA is the primary source for current program-reported fields such as positions, interviews, hours, compensation, exam requirements, and resident characteristics [3]. Some applicant, interview, match, and demographic figures come from a clearly labeled 2025 secondary snapshot. A blank or "not published" value is not treated as zero.
6. Signal status: An active NRMP preliminary track does not prove that the track participates in 2027 signaling. MyERAS is the final source for signal participation.

## Provisional signal allocation

| Signal | Program | Market | Why it starts in the 15 |
|---:|---|---|---|
| 1 | HCA Florida Brandon | Tampa Bay | 32 percent DO snapshot, four official preliminary positions, COMLEX pathway, same-site OBGYN |
| 2 | HCA Florida Bayonet Point | Tampa Bay | 44.4 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, Tampa Bay OBGYN options |
| 3 | Charleston Area Medical Center | Charleston, WV | 68.4 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, same-market OBGYN |
| 4 | St Joseph's University Medical Center | North Jersey | 50 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, three preliminary PGY-1 positions reported by the program [7] |
| 5 | HMH Palisades | North Jersey | 45 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, dense OBGYN overlap |
| 6 | HMH Jersey Shore | Jersey Shore | 38 percent DO snapshot, active preliminary track, nearby Long Branch OBGYN |
| 7 | Good Samaritan Cincinnati | Cincinnati | 31.8 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, same-city OBGYN |
| 8 | Jewish Hospital Cincinnati | Cincinnati | 61.5 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, same-city OBGYN |
| 9 | Wright State | Dayton | 42.9 percent DO residents, one civilian preliminary position, same-city OBGYN [5] |
| 10 | UMKC | Kansas City | 42.9 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, several OBGYN options |
| 11 | Geisinger | Danville | DO residents on roster, percentage unverified; two official preliminary positions; first-pass expectation requires review [6] |
| 12 | West Virginia University | Morgantown | 15.6 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, same-site OBGYN |
| 13 | Penn State Hershey | Hershey | 21.4 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, same-site OBGYN |
| 14 | Prisma Health Columbia | Columbia, SC | 25 percent DO snapshot, active preliminary track, same-market OBGYN |
| 15 | East Tennessee State | Johnson City | 20.6 percent DO residents, active preliminary track, same-city OBGYN |

## Full 42-program expansion board

"Reported positions" preserves the number exposed by the source, but programs do not always label that number consistently as PGY-1, total residents, categorical positions, or combined categorical and preliminary positions. Use the separately listed preliminary quota when available. Open each source before finalizing signals.

| Plan | Program | Location | DO evidence | Preliminary evidence | OBGYN overlap market | Available captured statistics | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signal 1 | HCA Florida Brandon Hospital | Brandon, FL | 31.6% resident DO | 1772440P0 | Tampa Bay | 8 reported positions; 4 prelim | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/hca-healthcare-usf-morsani-gme-brandon-fl-1772440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4401100445), [Program](https://hcahealthcaregme.com/locations/hca-florida-brandon-hospital/surgery-residency/index.dot), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4982) |
| Signal 2 | HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital | Hudson, FL | 44.4% resident DO | 2137440P0 | Tampa Bay | 7 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/hca-healthcare-usf-morsani-bayonet-pt-fl-2137440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4401100446) |
| Signal 3 | Charleston Area Medical Center | Charleston, WV | 68.4% resident DO | 1902440P0 | Charleston | 6 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/charleston-area-med-ctr-wv-1902440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4405511351) |
| Signal 4 | St Joseph's University Medical Center | Paterson, NJ | 50% resident DO | 1406440P1 | North Jersey | 6 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/st-josephs-univ-med-ctr-nj-1406440p1/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403300191), [Program](https://stjosephshealth.org/education/graduate-medical-education/residency-programs/general-surgery/gs-dept-overview/) |
| Signal 5 | Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center | North Bergen, NJ | 45% resident DO | 2136440P0 | North Jersey | 6 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/hmh-palisades-med-ctr-nj-2136440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403300196) |
| Signal 6 | Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center | Neptune, NJ | 38% resident DO | 1395440P0 | Jersey Shore | 16 reported positions; 1079 apps (2025); 100 interviews; 3 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/hmh-jersey-shore-univ-med-ctr-nj-1395440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403300195), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4882) |
| Signal 7 | Good Samaritan Hospital Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 31.8% resident DO | 1550440P0 | Cincinnati | 5 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/good-samaritan-hosp-cinn-oh-1550440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403831253) |
| Signal 8 | Jewish Hospital Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 61.5% resident DO | 1551440P0 | Cincinnati | 6 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/jewish-hospital-oh-1551440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403831254) |
| Signal 9 | Wright State University | Dayton, OH | 42.9% resident DO | 2011440P0 | Dayton | 14 reported positions; 1 prelim | [Program](https://medicine.wright.edu/surgery/general-surgery-residency/how-to-apply), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403821266) |
| Signal 10 | University of Missouri Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 42.9% resident DO | 1343440P0 | Kansas City | 9 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/univ-of-missouri-kc-programs-mo-1343440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402821168) |
| Signal 11 | Geisinger Health System | Danville, PA | DO roster evidence; percentage unverified | 1608440P0, non-designated | Danville | 7 first-year positions; 2 prelim | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/geisinger-health-system-pa-1608440p0/), [Program](https://www.geisinger.edu/gchs/education/residencies-fellowships/residencies/general-surgery-central-residency), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404121283) |
| Signal 12 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV | 15.6% resident DO | 1837440P1 | Morgantown | 10 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/west-virginia-university-som-wv-1837440p1/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4405521352) |
| Signal 13 | Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center | Hershey, PA | 21.4% resident DO | 1617440P0 | Hershey | 17 reported positions; 120 interviews; 75 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/penn-state-hershey-med-ctr-pa-1617440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404121287) |
| Signal 14 | Prisma Health University of South Carolina Columbia | Columbia, SC | 25% resident DO | 1681440P0 | Columbia | 20 reported positions; 884 apps (2025); 59 interviews; 4 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/prisma-health-u-of-sc-som-columbia-sc-1681440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404521316), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4863) |
| Signal 15 | East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine | Johnson City, TN | 20.6% resident DO | 2066440P0 | Johnson City | 10 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/east-tennessee-st-univ-tn-2066440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404721377) |
| Expansion | Ascension Illinois Saint Joseph Chicago | Chicago, IL | 16.7% resident DO | 1405440P0 | Chicago | 4 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/ascension-st-joseph-il-1405440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4401631086) |
| Expansion | Corewell Health Grand Rapids Michigan State University | Grand Rapids, MI | 11% resident DO | 2077440P0 | Grand Rapids | 15 reported positions; 929 apps (2025); 9 categorical matches (2025); 75 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/corewell-health-grand-rapids-msu-mi-2077440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402521410), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4785) |
| Expansion | Detroit Medical Center Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | 8% resident DO | 1295440P0 | Detroit | 49 reported positions; 1408 apps (2025); 101 interviews; 6 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/detroit-med-ctr-wsu-mi-1295440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402521148), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4784) |
| Expansion | HCA Healthcare Trident Medical Center | North Charleston, SC | 22% resident DO | 2056440P0 | Charleston | 19 reported positions; 823 apps (2025); 68 interviews; 3 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/trident-medical-center-sc-2056440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404500321), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4984) |
| Expansion | Henry Ford Providence Hospital | Southfield, MI | DO path, USMLE required | 1303440P0 | Detroit Metro | 9 reported positions; 85 interviews; 80 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/henry-ford-providence-hosp-mi-1303440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402521160) |
| Expansion | Henry Ford St John Hospital | Detroit, MI | DO path, USMLE required | 1915440P0 | Detroit | 8 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/henry-ford-st-john-hosp-mi-1915440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402511145) |
| Expansion | Indiana University School of Medicine | Indianapolis, IN | 5.9% resident DO | 1187440P0 | Indianapolis | 14 reported positions; 2 prelim | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/indiana-university-som-in-1187440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4401721103) |
| Expansion | Lankenau Medical Center | Wynnewood, PA | 16% resident DO; COMLEX route listed | 1632440P0 | Philadelphia | 7 reported positions; 64 interviews; 78 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/lankenau-med-ctr-pa-1632440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404111296) |
| Expansion | Methodist Dallas Medical Center | Dallas, TX | 6% resident DO | 1707440P0 | Dallas Fort Worth | 18 reported positions; 1059 apps (2025); 80 interviews; 3 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/methodist-health-system-dallas-tx-1707440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404812329), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4822) |
| Expansion | Nassau University Medical Center | East Meadow, NY | 13% resident DO | 1448440P0 | Long Island | 22 reported positions; 977 apps (2025); 3 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/nassau-univ-med-ctr-ny-1448440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403512198), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4861) |
| Expansion | Nuvance Health Danbury Hospital | Danbury, CT | 19% resident DO | 2492440P0 | Danbury | 23 reported positions; 1290 apps (2025); 131 interviews; 4 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/zucker-som-northwell-danbury-hosp-ct-2492440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4400813428), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4799) |
| Expansion | Orlando Health | Orlando, FL | 8.3% resident DO | 1107440P0 | Orlando | 12 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/orlando-health-fl-1107440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4401111076) |
| Expansion | Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL | 9.4% resident DO | 1147440P0 | Chicago | 9 reported positions | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/rush-university-med-ctr-il-1147440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4401621092) |
| Expansion | St Mary Medical Center Langhorne | Langhorne, PA | DO composition unverified; USMLE required | 2139440P0 | Philadelphia and Central Jersey | 4 reported positions; 2 prelim | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/st-mary-med-ctr-langhorne-pa-2139440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404100001) |
| Expansion | Staten Island University Hospital | Staten Island, NY | 29.2% resident DO | 1515440P0 | New York City | 28 reported positions; 120 interviews | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/zucker-som-northwell-staten-island-univ-ny-1515440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403511236) |
| Expansion | TidalHealth | Salisbury, MD | 60% institution DO snapshot; exam sources conflict | 2316440P0 | Salisbury | 6 first-year positions; 2 prelim; 897 apps (2025); 85 interviews (2025); 4 categorical matches (2025); 70 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/tidalhealth-md-2316440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402300001), [Program](https://www.tidalhealth.org/health-professionals/education/graduate-medical-education/general-surgery-residency), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4997), [Same-site OBGYN](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/tidalhealth-md-2316220c0/) |
| Expansion | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Amarillo | Amarillo, TX | DO path, USMLE required | 2993440P0 | Amarillo | 4 reported positions; 86 interviews; 54 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/texas-tech-u-affil-amarillo-tx-2993440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404800437) |
| Expansion | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso | El Paso, TX | 11% resident DO | 1710440P0 | El Paso | 7 reported positions; 78 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/texas-tech-u-affil-el-paso-tx-1710440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404811332) |
| Expansion | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock | Lubbock, TX | DO composition and current exam route unverified | 2973440P0 | Lubbock | 10 reported positions; 55 interviews | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/texas-tech-u-affil-lubbock-tx-2973440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404821363) |
| Expansion | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin | Odessa, TX | DO composition unverified; USMLE required | 3124440P0 | Permian Basin | 6 reported positions; 50 interviews | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/texas-tech-u-affil-permian-basin-tx-3124440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404800003) |
| Expansion | The Brooklyn Hospital Center | Brooklyn, NY | 5% resident DO, USMLE required | 1420440P0 | New York City | 9 reported positions; 100 interviews; 80 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/brooklyn-hosp-ctr-ny-1420440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403531208) |
| Expansion | Trinity Health Oakland Wayne State University | Pontiac, MI | DO path, USMLE required | 1319440P0 | Detroit Metro | 6 reported positions; 25 interviews; 80 h/wk | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/trinity-health-oakland-mi-1319440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402511157) |
| Expansion | UMass Chan Baystate | Springfield, MA | 5% resident DO | 1286440P0 | Springfield | 38 reported positions; 1137 apps (2025); 88 interviews; 7 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/umass-chan-baystate-ma-1286440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402411138), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4789) |
| Expansion | University of Missouri Columbia | Columbia, MO | 13% resident DO | 1994440P0 | Columbia | 26 reported positions; 668 apps (2025); 5 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/university-hosps-columbia-mo-1994440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4402821166), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4832) |
| Expansion | University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | 9.1% resident DO | 2727440P0 | Tulsa | 8 reported positions; 70 interviews | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/univ-of-oklahoma-com-tulsa-ok-2727440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4403921274) |
| Expansion | University of Tennessee Medical Center Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | 7.9% resident DO | 1839440P0 | Knoxville | 10 reported positions; 4 prelim | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/univ-of-tennessee-grad-som-knoxville-tn-1839440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404711321), [Program](https://gsm.utmck.edu/surgery/app_process.cfm) |
| Expansion | University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | 12% resident DO | 1722440P0 | San Antonio | 53 reported positions; 1407 apps (2025); 7 categorical matches (2025) | [NRMP](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/u-texas-hsc-san-antonio-tx-1722440p0/), [FREIDA](https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4404821338), [2025 data](https://residency.admit.org/surgery/program-rankings/4711) |

## High-priority verification queue

Complete these checks in MyERAS before locking signals:

1. Confirm 2027 signaling participation for every intended preliminary track. An active NRMP track alone is not enough.
2. Confirm that the preliminary position is undesignated and available to a dual-applying General Surgery applicant. Some preliminary positions are reserved or designated for other advanced specialties.
3. Confirm the current preliminary quota. The official Brandon page lists four, St Joseph's lists three PGY-1 preliminary positions, Geisinger lists two, Wright State lists one civilian position, St Mary lists two, and UT Knoxville lists four [4][5][6][7][8].
4. Apply program-specific exam and attempt screens before using signals. Lankenau's earlier blanket USMLE-required label was incorrect; its current DO-specific profile accepts COMLEX. St Mary and Texas Tech Permian Basin instead show USMLE requirements. See the [full policy correction](EXAM_POLICY_REVIEW_2027.md), including source conflicts and UT Knoxville's explicit first-attempt requirement.
5. Resolve the Brooklyn discrepancy. NRMP shows an active preliminary track, while the current FREIDA display surfaces only categorical PGY-1 position types.
6. Verify current DO composition or recent DO interview history where no percentage is available, including Geisinger. A DO application pathway does not establish repeat-attempt acceptance. Review exam rules separately from the geographic pairing.
7. TidalHealth is a particularly clean same-site pairing, but its OBGYN program is new. Confirm its current ResidencyCAS requirements and interview calendar before assigning a General Surgery signal.

## How to use the site

- Use "Signal Shortlist" to see the current 15.
- Remove one provisional signal before adding an expansion program. The site enforces the 15-program cap.
- Use DO Evidence for resident composition and Exam Policy for exam routes and first-attempt rules. These filters can be combined.
- Click a program row for all captured statistics, DO evidence, couples-match rationale, and source links.
- Use Status to cycle through Interested, Applied, and Not Interested. Favorites, statuses, notes, and signal swaps persist in the browser.

## Sources

[1] [AAMC, Program Signaling for the 2027 MyERAS Application Season](https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/program-signaling-2027-myeras-application-season)

[2] [NRMP Main Residency Match Program Directory](https://programdirectory.nrmp.org/)

[3] [AMA FREIDA Residency and Fellowship Database](https://freida.ama-assn.org/)

[4] [HCA Florida Brandon General Surgery Residency](https://hcahealthcaregme.com/locations/hca-florida-brandon-hospital/surgery-residency/index.dot)

[5] [Wright State General Surgery Residency, How to Apply](https://medicine.wright.edu/surgery/general-surgery-residency/how-to-apply)

[6] [Geisinger General Surgery Central Residency](https://www.geisinger.edu/gchs/education/residencies-fellowships/residencies/general-surgery-central-residency)

[7] [St Joseph's University Medical Center General Surgery Department Overview](https://stjosephshealth.org/education/graduate-medical-education/residency-programs/general-surgery/gs-dept-overview/)

[8] [University of Tennessee Knoxville General Surgery Application Process](https://gsm.utmck.edu/surgery/app_process.cfm)

Each program row also links its specific NRMP, FREIDA, official program, and secondary data pages where available.