Match Day 2025: History Repeats Itself a Generation Later

Growing up, Alexander Kirn ‘25OD spent a lot of time working in his parents’ optometry practice. The experience, he said, made the choice to become an optometrist easy. 

His parents, father Daniel Kirn, OD ‘94, Resident ‘95, and Katherine (White) Kirn, OD, Resident ‘95, met during their primary care residency in The Eye Institute (TEI), the clinical facility for the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). 

So when “Match Day” — the day Doctor of Optometry graduate students find out where they’ve matched for their year-long residency — came around this year, Alex Kirn was thrilled to find out that’s he going to be walking the same path as his parents did into the profession of optometry with a residency at TEI. 

“My parents were very excited to hear my news. They both loved the experience they had as residents and were excited for me to get the same opportunity,” said Kirn. “I’m excited to follow in their footsteps and excited to see what opportunities this leads to.” 

TEI has matched nine residents for 2025-2026. They include: 

• Aidan Go (The Ohio State University) College of Optometry) — Ocular Disease/Primary Care.
• Alexander Kirn ‘25OD (PCO) — Ocular Disease/Primary Care. 
• Moe Sohawon (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services) — Ocular Disease/Primary Care.
• Amma Dwomoh ‘25OD (PCO) — Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease (first year).
• Dhruvi Patel (Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry) — Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease (second year).
• Elle Cornman ‘25OD (PCO) — Low Vision Rehabilitation.
• Jon Kuznia (State University of New York College of Optometry) — Cornea and Contact Lens.
• Athena Chen (University of California Berkeley) — Pediatrics/Vision Therapy.
• Reetu Julakanti (Indiana University School of Optometry) — Pediatrics/Vision Therapy. 

“I am thrilled to have a robust, diverse, highly qualified residency class for 2025-2026. These are the top students from across the nation who we know will deliver excellent care to our patients and learn so much over the next year,” said Chad Killen, OD ‘19, Resident ‘20, FAAO, director of On-Campus Residency Programs. “Residency year puts you outside of your comfort zone and that's where the real magic happens. Our top-notch faculty will be the best mentors and push the residents to grow professionally and personally.”