Student Testimonials

The future of healthcare is in good hands

We couldn’t have asked for better—more intelligent, articulate, engaged, and empathetic—group of aspiring healthcare leaders to participate in Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations. We marveled at the insightfulness of the questions posed and the dialogue exchanged throughout the programs. We’re confident that if they are the future of healthcare, it’s in good hands!

Adina, as an aspiring medical school student, what do you now see differently about health and healthcare after participating in Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations?

This program offered real examples of how, when people from all fields work together, positive change can occur, both globally and in our local communities, for the most vulnerable populations. I’ve learned that, through interdisciplinary collaboration, we can achieve a health model where art, literature, the social determinants of health, and wider sociological and psychological processes are incorporated into how we deliver health care. My favorite session was with a group of improv jazz musicians, where we learned about how improvisation is critical, not just in music, but in life – and definitely in patient interactions and in healthcare access. We talked a lot about how learning to improvise, or to reframe “mistakes” as opportunities, produces resilience and how that resilience carries us through the ups and downs in life. 

Lucas, what was the most meaningful part of Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations for you?

We talked about issues such as mental health and how it relates to practically every facet of life. Health is holistic, it is not always cured by a Band-Aid or a prescription. Being transparent and talking about the issues that each person faces without judgement is critical for one’s care. The conversations we had were inspired by many brilliant speakers ranging from those involved in some capacity of healthcare, to art, writing and music. Their varied viewpoints allowed for a better picture to be painted of what healthcare is and how it can be included in so many ways in our world. The term revolutionary was used frequently throughout the week and although this title may be slightly daunting, I believe that it fits this program perfectly. I am so grateful for all that this course has done for me; it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Kennedy, what was your favorite part about Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations?

We had the privilege of listening to and learning from a truly spectacular lineup of healthcare experts. I came away each day feeling starstruck and inspired. Beyond the guests, one of the best surprises for me was the way each conversation continued long after a given session had ended. They spilled over into meal times and breaks, expanding into the spaces in our already full schedule. These discussions furthered the reflection we were encouraged to pursue through writing and helped the sessions crystallize into more personal goals and actionable pursuits. 

Marcus, what type(s) of careers in health/healthcare are you interested in pursuing, and what do you now see differently about health and healthcare after participating in Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations?

I am interested in pursuing an MD/MBA. I want to become a surgeon and leverage the MBA degree to develop sustainable healthcare facilities in black communities. Before participating in Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations, I tried to approach healthcare through an interdisciplinary lens. I intentionally majored in sociology to study the systems that produce the results that I saw around me. Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations pushed me even further to use interdisciplinary approaches to think critically about healthcare. For example, I did not expect to talk about rugby, but after the session, I realized that it was great way to start the healthcare conversation.

Minda, what type(s) of careers in health/healthcare are you interested in pursuing, and how can what you learned what the Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations help you get there?

I want to be a physician who works at the intersection of medicine and public health. Specifically, I’m interested in how we can consider a person's family history, living environment, socioeconomic class, race/ethnicity, work environment, etc., when they come in to receive care for a seemingly unrelated cold or broken bone. As a physician, I would want to make sure to take these factors into account when treating a patient coming in for any ailment. As a public health worker, I would want to continue researching the impact of identity and environment on health outcomes and addressing the inequalities of treatment for marginalized populations. As a result of participating in Dartmouth Healthcare Foundations, I feel excited to enter the healthcare field, and I feel empowered to enact positive change in the system.