News & Events

Student Spotlight: Maryn Justice White, MPH’26

Maryn White, from Kansas City, MO, first encountered public health when she participated in an epidemiology camp at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth to Launch New Online Master’s Degree Program in Health Data Science

The program’s fully online format will feature 15 courses taken sequentially (one course at a time) over 21 months—offering students consistent and predictable scheduling.

The Center for Global Health Equity Funded Its First Dartmouth MPH Students for Global Health Activities Abroad

Ifrah Ahmed MPH‘23 and Hannah Adams MPH‘23, were the first MPH students funded by the Center for Global Health Equity to participate in a Co-designed Community-based (CCI) internship abroad. Under the leadership and guidance of Geisel faculty member Dr. Rebecca Laird MED‘01, MPH‘21, an internist and cardiologist, Ifrah and Hannah completed a CCI internship in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2023.

Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine Launches New Online Master’s Degree Program in Implementation Science

Geisel’s new, fully online 9-month MS in Implementation Science will give graduates the skills to identify and address gaps in moving evidence-based clinical practices into routine use in the real world.

Geisel Biomedical Illustrator Vinald Francis Invited to the 15th Annual International Graphic Medicine Conference

Geisel biomedical illustrator Vinald Francis, invited to discuss his work at a graphic conference in Ireland, also talked about his collaboration with Dartmouth’s Shontay Delalue, PhD, MPH about a comic highlighting the historical medical exploitation of Black women, illustrating how this visual medium can effectively convey complex healthcare issues and address health disparities.

Geisel School of Medicine Welcomes New Class of MPH and MS Students to Campus

The Geisel School of Medicine welcomed 97 students in its residential and hybrid Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Healthcare Research (MS) programs to an intensive learning week packed with information sessions, team-building activities, and social gatherings designed to familiarize the students with Dartmouth’s campus and foster interpersonal relationships.

Student Spotlight: Mei Maxwell, MPH'24

While working in a healthcare clinic in rural Upstate New York, Mei Maxwell witnessed disparities in patient outcomes despite standards of care. Seeking answers to this puzzling discrepancy, the aspiring lawyer turned to Dartmouth’s yearlong MPH program where she brought together her interests in medicine, law, and policy to tackle the social determinants of health.  

Student Spotlight: Paula A. Medina Diaz, MD, MPH'24

A physician in her native Colombia, Paula A. Medina Diaz spent a year as a civilian doctor with the Colombian Air Force providing health education and disease prevention in ambulatory clinics throughout the country for communities affected by the social determinants of health.

Geisel Celebrates Health Sciences Education Class of 2024

On the pleasant early-summer afternoon of June 7, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth celebrated the academic accomplishments of 84 of its Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science (MS) graduates at the 2024 Health Sciences Education Class Day.

Student Spotlight: Jenna Spero, T’24/MPH’24

Jenna Spero began her dual MBA/MPH program between the Tuck School of Business and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth with seven years of healthcare experience spanning health system strategy, operations, and digital transformation.

2024 MPH Internship Stories

Explore the Internship experiences of three Master of Public Health students at Dartmouth College

Student Spotlight: Zackary Christensen MPH'24

Interested in becoming a physician, Zackary Christensen postponed applying to medical school in favor of first earning an MPH degree at Dartmouth College. Read more about Zackary's student experience in the residential MPH program.

Residential MPH Students Share Their Independent Integrated Learning Experience Projects

Five residential MPH students share the impact of their Independent Research Learning Experience and how Dartmouth has impacted their studies & research.

Geisel MPH/MS Students Showcase ILE Projects at Poster Session

Students enrolled in Geisel’s residential Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science (MS) programs gathered for a poster session with faculty and other members of the Geisel community for a celebration of research excellence and academic achievements.

Student Spotlight: Jan-Christopher Castilhos França MPH'25

Passionate about improving access to universal health coverage and saving lives, clinical psychologist Jan-Christopher Castilhos França has worked with diverse patient populations ranging from psychosomatic and cancer patients as well as for organizations within the UN System to solve healthcare system and service challenges that many low- and middle-income countries face.

Discover Our Online/Hybrid Master of Public Health Program

Learn more about how our online/hybrid Master of Public Health program works! Hear directly from Students & Faculty about why our program is so special.

Practicum Highlight: Eric Strauss, MA, MPH'23

Practicum Project: ​​Barriers and Facilitators to Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (BMSM) at an Infectious Disease Clinic in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

2023 Practicums

Students from the class of 2023 share their practicum experiences at Dartmouth

Student Spotlight: Eri Shindo, MPH'24

Eri Shindo's student spotlight story dives into her journey to public health and how she's adapted to Dartmouth's online/on-campus MPH program.

Practicum Highlight: Laura Galster, MPH'23

Practicum Project: Health Equity Measurement in Hospitals and Health Systems: An Environmental Scan

Practicum Highlight: Karen Guo, MPH'23

Practicum Project: ​​Clinician and Care Team Member Experiences in the Serious Illness Conversation Model of Care Implementation

Geisel Celebrates National Public Health Week

Read about the events that took place on campus for National Public Health Week.

2024 National Public Health Week

A culminating highlight of students & faculty's top testimonials for NPHW 2024.

Students Share Testimonials for 2024 National Public Health Week

Students share what public health means to them, how Dartmouth has changed their view regarding public health, and more. Keep reading to hear what they have to say!

Student Spotlight: Madeline Weiman, MPH'24

As critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Madeline Weiman was part of a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) team trained to quickly mobilize and safely care for patients with highly contagious pathogens.

Student Spotlight: Kathryn Giordano, MPH'24

Kathryn Giordano knew she wanted a community-oriented learning environment that brought together people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to learn from each other as well as from faculty. Read more about her path to Dartmouth and what she has accomplished in the residential MPH program.

Nicole Rapfogel, MPH ’24, Selected as Finalist in Presidential Management Fellowship Program

Practicum Highlight: Eri Shindo, MPH'24

Practicum project: Enhancing Care for Lactation after a Second Trimester Abortion or Fetal Loss

Practicum Highlight: Sara Rodriguez, MPH'24

Practicum Project: Empowering Healthcare Equity: A Mixed Methods Study on lntersex Data Collection

Practicum Highlight: Jonathan Weatherly, D'90, MPH'24

Practicum Project: Making Data Work: Review of Mobile Asthma Clinics use of a Health Atlas to Support Resource Allocation Decisions and Outcomes Measurement

2023 Dartmouth Students Reflect on Healthcare Access and Outcomes for National Public Health Week - 2023

For National Public Health Week 2023, we asked Dartmouth students about what public health means to them and how health can be improved on community, county, and country levels.

Legendary Healthcare Researcher John E. Wennberg, Who Shaped Efforts to Reform the Nation’s Healthcare System, Dies at 89

Advancing Healthcare: Student Practicum Experiences in Data Utilization, Equity Empowerment, and Enhanced Patient Care

Explore the practicum experiences of three students enrolled in Dartmouth's 22-month online/on-campus MPH program.

Geisel MS Students Make Strong Showing at National Big Data Competition

For the second consecutive year, a team from the Quantitative Biomedical Sciences (QBS) MS program at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine has placed fourth at the National Big Data Health Science Student Case Competition.

Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine Appoints Craig Westling as Associate Dean for Health Sciences Education

Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD, FIDSA, Dean of Educational Affairs at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, announced the appointment of Craig Westling, DrPH, MPH, MS, as the school’s inaugural Associate Dean for Health Sciences Education.

Dartmouth Researchers Offer New Insights into How Antibodies Function Against HSV

Findings from a new study conducted by a team of researchers at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and Thayer School of Engineering and published in Cell Reports Medicine, offer new insights into how antibodies function in combating herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Their research may lead to possible new treatments for neonatal herpes.

Student Spotlight: Amy Bianco, MPH'24

As Director of Health Policy for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Amy Bianco MPH ’24 is heavily engaged in public health-related work. Specifically, she worked directly within her state’s COVID-19 Command Center during her tenure, managing pandemic response efforts.

Dartmouth Generations Connects Students and Older Adults

Student groups feature musical performances, art therapy, and conversation.

David A. Leib Reappointed Chair of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine

Richard J. Powell, MD, Appointed to Anna Gundlach Huber Professorship at Geisel School of Medicine

Richard Powell, MD, a professor of surgery and of radiology at Geisel School of Medicine, and director of the Dartmouth Health Heart and Vascular Center, has been named the Anna Gundlach Huber Professor in Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth for a five-year term that began in January 2024.

Megan Read, MPH, MLS, CIC, Presented with Outstanding Staff Award

Megan Read, director of the Hybrid MPH Program at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, was recently presented with an outstanding staff award.

Student Spotlight: Francesca Salerno, MPH ’24

Second-year Hybrid Master of Public Health student Francesca Salerno discusses what public health means to her and why she chose Dartmouth.

Ph.D. Student Spotlight: Enzo Plaitano - Forging Interdisciplinary Bonds at Dartmouth

Ph.D. Student, Enzo Plaitano discusses his journey with Dartmouth.

Hybrid MPH Students Return to Campus for December Session

Last week, candidates enrolled in Geisel’s Hybrid Master of Public Health (MPH) program returned to campus to take part in their December Intensive sessions.

https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/news/2023/hybrid-mph-students-return-to-campus-for-december-session/

Student Spotlight: Alyssa Shewmaker, RDN, LD, MPH'25

2025 MPH candidate Alyssa Shewmaker, RDN, LD, spoke about her path to public health, how her educational experience has real-world application in her career, and why she believes being a student in our Online/On-Campus Hybrid MPH program is "the best of both worlds." 

Student Spotlight: Laila Andaloussi Serraj, MPH'24

MPH candidate Laila Andaloussi Serraj reflects on her experience as a Dartmouth MPH student as a member of our accelerated residential program.

Hybrid MPH Class of 2024 Applied Practice Experience Poster Fair & Celebration

Hybrid MPH Class of 2024 Applied Practice Experience Poster Fair & Celebration

Many universities fumbled reactions to Hamas’ attack. Here’s how Dartmouth got it right

Immediately following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Dartmouth College offered students public forums with scholars on the conflict.

https://forward-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/forward.com/opinion/566953/many-universities-fumbled-reactions-to-hamas-attack-heres-how-dartmouth-got-it-right/?amp=1

MPH Student Receives National Leadership Award in Public Health

Robert E. Braylock, Pharm.D., MBA, RPh, a Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, has received the Henry Cade Memorial Award from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/news/2023/geisel-mph-student-receives-national-leadership-award-in-public-health/

Discover Dartmouth's New Health Sciences Master's Degrees

Dartmouth is now offering three new health sciences master's degrees: Epidemiology, Health Data Science, and Medical Informatics.

Chidalu Mbonu, MPH Presents on Measuring Healthcare in Low-Income Countries

Dartmouth MPH alum presents on measuring healthcare in low-income countries at Wennberg International Collaborative Meeting.

The Publication of Master's Students' Course Projects

The Dartmouth Institute Celebrates Class of 2023

94 graduates of the PhD, MPH, and MS programs at The Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine celebrated Class Day on June 9 under a tent on lawn of the Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center.

The Dartmouth Institute Director, Dr. Amber Barnato, Graduates From Prestigious Leadership Program

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth is pleased to announce that Amber Barnato, MD, MPH, MS, the John E. Wennberg Distinguished Professor in Health Policy and Clinical Practice and director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice at Geisel, graduated from the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM®) program.

https://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/news/2023/amber-barnato-graduates-from-prestigious-leadership-program/

A Native Place

An annual service trip for Geisel School of Medicine students in the MD, MPH and MS programs explores the state of rural health through the Native American experience across the Minnesota landscape. 

Dartmouth MPH and MS Programs Assistant Director Appointed to the SRAC Advisory Council of ASPPH

Amanda Stofesky, MPH '19, was elected by leadership at peer institutions across the U.S., to serve on the Student Recruitment Forum of SOPHAS, the centralized application service for public health education and academia.

MPH Student Recognized As 2023 Social Justice Awardee

Josie Pinto, a 2023 MPH candidate, is one of seven individuals and organizations whose work in civil rights, social and environmental justice, and public health are making outstanding contributions at Dartmouth and around the world.

https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2023/03/announcing-2023-social-justice-awardees?page=1

The Dartmouth Institute Announces 2023 Class Day Keynote Speaker

Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, MD, MPH, DrPH, the 14th Surgeon General of the United States, will deliver the keynote address to The Dartmouth Institute Class of 2023.

From the Classroom to Congress

Driven by a passion to make an impact on a population-level and move the needle of healthcare, PhD candidate Vrushabh Ladage used his extensive training in policy and the lessons he learned at Dartmouth to contribute to the Medicare Part D provisions found in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Epidemiology in Action: Bringing the John Snow Pump to Geisel

Inspired by a 19th century obstetrician and the person who many consider to be the father of epidemiology, The Dartmouth Institute Class of 2019 commissioned a replica of the iconic Broad Street water pump that Dr. John Snow traced to a deadly cholera outbreak in London.

Celebrating the Connection Between the Arts and Healing at Dartmouth

Dartmouth Health hosted its fourth Annual Arts and Humanities in Medicine Symposium. Following the symposium, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice hosted an art exhibition and reception, serving as a fitting end to the day’s interactive presentations and an example of the important role that the arts and humanities play in healing and health.

Study Shows Women Minimize Breast Density as a Risk Factor for Cancer

Assistant Professor Christine Gunn, PhD was a co-investigator on a study that found the importance of breast density as a risk factor for breast cancer is often underestimated. The results were published in JAMA Network Open.

Applied Practice Experience Poster Fair Returns to In-Person Event

For the first time in three years, The Dartmouth Institute hosted an in-person poster fair for the 2023 MPH candidates in the Online/On-Campus Hybrid program who are completing the Applied Practice Experience (APE) component of their coursework.

Student Spotlight: Brian Urban

Brian Urban, MPH'23, MBA, MS discusses how his journey to public health began with tragedy.

Student Spotlight: Chidalu Mbonu

MPH student Chidalu Mbonu discusses how she discovered public health as an undergraduate student and the leadership role she's taken on at The Dartmouth Institute.

The Dartmouth Institute Celebrates Class of 2022

On Friday afternoon, June 10, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice celebrated the academic accomplishments of 102 of its MPH and MS graduates during its annual Class Day ceremony.

New Faculty Advance Health Equity

Ever since John “Jack” Wennberg, MD, MPH, began asking tough questions about healthcare in the 1970s, Dartmouth and the institute he founded have led the nation in challenging the status quo in healthcare. Four new professors will now help The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice evolve, bringing their fresh ideas and perspectives and leveraging the Institute’s unparalleled healthcare data sets and expertise in health services research.

DHGeiselgiving.org

Dartmouth MPH Practicums Address Key Issues in Healthcare

Read about how three students from the Class of 2022 have been applying their practicum experience to address some of the most pressing issues in healthcare and how their MPH training is informing their career goals. 

Alumni News & Notes

Learn about recent accomplishments by our Dartmouth Institute alumni—and tell us about your own!

Dominique Lee, MPH’20

Shruthi Patchava, MPH’20

The Challenge of Now—The Dartmouth Institute Welcomes Largest Ever Class of New Students

The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice welcomes a new class of residential and hybrid MPH students.

Dartmouth Institute Researchers Receive $6.2 Million Grant to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Long-Term Care Workers

A team of researchers at The Dartmouth Institute, led by Glyn Elwyn, MD, PhD, MSc, and Marie-Anne Durand, PhD, has received a $6.2 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to test approaches that may increase confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine among those working in long-term care facilities.

Skinner Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Health Economics

The Fuchs award cited the economics professor’s work to improve health care systems.

Navigating COVID-19 and Pandemics of the Future: Q&A with Eugene Nelson, DSc, MPH

Dr. Eugene Nelson discusses how research teams from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health are partnering to address the negative impacts of the current pandemic as well as those that may occur in the future.

Amber Barnato, MD, MPH, MS, Named Director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice

Physician-researcher Amber Barnato, MD, MPH, MS, has been named the new director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

The Dartmouth Institute Graduates its Largest Class – A Distinguished Cohort of 103 Healthcare Innovators

The 2021 Dartmouth Institute Class Day Event brought many faculty, staff, and students together in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began to recognize the well-deserved accomplishments of the next generation of public health and healthcare leaders. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Dartmouth Institute Class Day 2021 Video

Click here for information and video link for the livestream coverage of The Dartmouth Institute's Class Day 2021 event on Friday, June 11, 2021.

Dartmouth Institute JEDI Team Builds a Force for Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The opportunity to impact initiatives around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) at The Dartmouth Institute energizes the newly established JEDI Action Team. Comprised of 15 faculty, staff, and graduate students, their work focuses on elevating students' voices by driving a path forward to continually champion equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, both at Dartmouth and beyond.

Dartmouth Institute Researchers Receive $2.1 Million Grant to Implement Shared Decision Making Collaborative for Breast Cancer Treatments

A team of researchers at The Dartmouth Institute, led by Glyn Elwyn, MD, PhD, MSc, has received a $2.1 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to develop a shared decision-making process to help women with breast cancer choose between surgical treatments.

Amidst the Pandemic: Dartmouth MPH Practicums Promote Crucial Change in Public Health

The Class of 2021 in Dartmouth's online/on-campus hybrid MPH program rose above the challenges of working through a global pandemic while balancing full-time jobs and pursuing their degree to successfully complete their field internships for the program. Explore their work!

The Dartmouth Institute Receives $2.4 Million to Aid Healthcare Providers’ COVID-19 Response

Researchers at The Dartmouth Institute have been awarded $2.4 million in federal funding to support ongoing studies aimed at enhancing American healthcare providers’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dartmouth Institute-led Research Featured in National Journal Focused on Health System Performance

New findings published by Dartmouth Institute researchers and featured in a special issue of Health Services Research, are helping to generate new insights and knowledge about the prevalence, roles, and impact of integrated health systems.

Empowering Students to Recognize and Reduce Health Inequities: A Q&A with The Dartmouth Institute’s New Social Justice Curriculum Advisor

Assistant Professor Alka Dev, DrPH, MHS, is focused on introducing a social justice thread throughout The Dartmouth Institute's curricula. Read her insights on the pathway she wants to create for students to work toward achieving equity in public health.

Carolyn Murray Receives National Preventive Medicine Award

Carolyn Murray, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of medicine, community and family medicine, and of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice at the Geisel School of Medicine, has received the 2020 Ronald Davis Award from the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM).

U.S. Hospital Admissions for Non-COVID-19 Have Only Partially Rebounded from Initial Decline

A new Dartmouth study in Health Affairs examines how hospital admissions during the rebound from the initial COVID-19 onset varies by age, insurance coverage and socioeconomic groups.

Dartmouth Institute Study Offers New Details on Pediatric Mental Health Boarding

A Dartmouth-Institute-led study, published in Pediatrics, offers new details about the prevalence and factors associated with pediatric mental health boarding in emergency departments across the U.S.

Meet Our Think Tank of Public Health Leaders

The 95 new students in The Dartmouth Institute’s Master of Public Health and MS in Healthcare Research programs are on the cusp of developing innovative solutions to address the weaknesses of our public health and healthcare delivery systems. See a glimpse of how eight of these leaders will bring their fresh ideas and insights together to produce the answers we need to transform the future of public health and clinical practice.

Elliott Fisher Proposes “Single System Solution” to Address Persistent Failings of U.S. Healthcare System

In the lead article for the current issue of NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, Elliott Fisher, MD, MPH, one of the policy leaders who developed the concept of Accountable Care Organizations, lays out a path to reform that would provide universal coverage, real-time data and performance measures, and more robust payment models to improve care for all.

New Dartmouth Institute Study Shows That Greater Financial Integration Generally not Associated with Better Healthcare Quality

New findings from a Dartmouth-led study, published in the August issue of Health Affairs, show that larger, more integrated healthcare systems do not generally deliver better quality care, and urge policy makers to ensure that mergers or acquisitions due to pandemic-associated financial stress adhere to current antitrust law.

Dartmouth Institute Education Community Update

There is no precedent for the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents. In this crisis, the need for integration between public health and healthcare is apparent. We wanted to share how The Dartmouth Institute has been responding to help equip our community to work toward the health of populations with a deep understanding of healthcare systems.

MPH and MS Capstone Projects Tap into a Virtual Powerhouse of Healthcare Innovators

The Dartmouth Institute’s remote Spring 2020 term connects students with alumni through online peer review sessions designed to help shape students’ final research deliverables.

Celebrating the Moment: The Dartmouth Institute Graduates Its Public Health & Healthcare Leaders of 2020

Congratulations to our MPH, MS, and PhD graduates!

Levy Gift to Support Innovations in Care for Seriously Ill Patients

A $1-million gift from Susan and Richard Levy D ’60 will fuel the rapid-cycle development and testing of new ways of caring for individuals with serious illnesses. The couple’s gift to the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth launches the Susan & Richard Levy Health Care Delivery Incubator.

New Report Examines Challenges and Implications of False-Negative COVID-19 Tests

A new Dartmouth-Institute-led paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights that more emphasis should be placed on addressing the inaccuracy of COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

Inspired to Serve: Stories from Dartmouth Institute Change Agents Tackling the Challenges of COVID-19

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication to protect and improve the health of our family, friends, and community members takes on a new meaning for Dartmouth Institute students and alumni. Through this ongoing series, we share how they are finding countless ways to help steer their communities forward through this unprecedented crisis.

Carrie Colla Named a National Academy of Medicine “New Leader”

Carrie Colla is one of 10 individuals chosen for their demonstrated leadership and exceptional professional achievement. They come from a wide range of health-related fields—including health economics, emergency medicine, biomedical engineering and research, and public health policy.

Student-Designed Applied Practice Experience Projects Steer the Models for Achieving Real Change in Health and Healthcare

From Day 1, students in Dartmouth's online/on-campus hybrid Master of Public Health Program make an immediate impact on their careers, in their organizations, and in their communities through their experiential learning work. Their projects are driving the models for improving access to gene therapy for treating rare conditions, optimizing the design of primary care teams, eliminating stigma around HIV, advocating for universal access to healthcare, and more.

New Study Finds That ACOs Are Struggling to Integrate Social Services with Medical Care

New findings from a Dartmouth Institute-led study, published in the February issue of Health Affairs, show that despite effort and attention on the part of some healthcare providers to better address their patients’ social needs—such as transportation, housing, and food—little progress is being made to integrate social services with medical care.

New Dartmouth Institute Study Explores Prevalence of Drug Promotions in Primary Care Practices

According to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, pharmaceutical companies’ promotional access to outpatient practices that deliver primary care in the U.S. is substantial, especially in smaller practices, those outside of healthcare systems, and those without academic affiliation, possibly impacting prescribing quality and cost.

Dartmouth’s 11-Month MPH Program Unveils New Curriculum, More Opportunities for Students to Further Customize Their Studies & be Mentored by Leading Experts

New curriculum features more elective coursework in The Dartmouth Institute’s ground-breaking research areas across Health Policy, Quality Improvement, and Health Services Research.

New Research Examines How Drug Promotion Rules Impact Physician Prescribing Practices

Findings from a new study led by researchers at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School and published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, show that the way in which pharmaceutical companies are permitted to share information about their drugs can influence physician prescribing practices.

Dartmouth Study Assesses Fracture Risk for Patients Taking Multiple Medications

There is a strong association between the number of fracture-associated drugs (FADs) older patients receive and their risk of sustaining a broken bone, according to a new Dartmouth Institute study published in JAMA Network Open.

Dartmouth Institute Professor Elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Ellen Meara, PhD, a professor of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, and an adjunct professor of economics at Dartmouth College, has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

Dartmouth Institute Study Examines Prevalence of Screening for Social Needs Among Physician Practices and Hospitals

A new study from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, published this week in JAMA Network Open, finds that most U.S. physician practices and hospitals report screening patients for at least one social need, a trend that is expected to increase in the future, and that practices that care for disadvantaged patients report higher screening rates.

Where Will a Dartmouth MPH Take the Newest 99 Students in Achieving their Healthcare Career Goals?

The new classes in The Dartmouth Institute's on-campus and online/hybrid Master of Public Health programs have come here to learn how to address healthcare disparities, influence and shape health policy, improve health outcomes, and create accessible, sustainable healthcare systems. Meet six of our students on their journey to influence the change that is needed across the U.S., and around the world.

Student Spotlight: Anita Agoh, MPH'20

"My future goal is pursuing a PhD in public health and expanding the non-profit organization I started in Nigeria called iCare, which is focused on promoting maternal and young adolescent health."

Student Spotlight: Qiyang Li, MPH'20

"I feel that it is my duty to continue helping people get enough healthy sleep and help other healthcare providers stay up to date with the latest information available."

Student Spotlight: Tay Naeem, MPH'20

“I hope to leave the Dartmouth MPH program more energized than ever to think critically about our greatest healthcare and public health challenges.”

MPH Student Spotlight: Angela Ramponi, Legislative Aide in Healthcare Policy

"The Dartmouth MPH online/on-campus hybrid program will allow me to apply the principles learned in my education on a daily basis, while also bringing perspective to the classroom about the decisions policy makers are making in real time.”

MPH Student Spotlight: Cecilia Wu, Physical Therapist

"I am very interested in investigating barriers to care for minority older adults, especially those with disabilities and/or at risk for falls, living in the Boston and Greater Boston area. Specifically, I want to research how physical therapy interventions may improve their quality of life at a lower cost."

MPH Student Spotlight: C.J. Blomquist, Business/Health Administration

"I hope to bring a new level of individualization to healthcare. We have incredible technologies that can provide customized, specific products to us based on our interests. Why not take that technology and apply it to healthcare?"

Once Scarce, Neonatal Intensive Care Proliferates

Once in short supply, neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are indispensable life savers for critically ill newborns, typically born premature with very low birth weight. But a new Dartmouth report finds that, following a robust national expansion of NICUs over the last two decades, nearly half of all newborns admitted to U.S. NICUs are of normal birth weight.

Laying the Groundwork for Addressing Food Insecurity Among School Children in Vermont and New Hampshire

For his MPH internship, Bryan Gustafson MPH '19 worked with the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley to develop a plan for improving access to affordable food options for children in school.

Helping to Launch a Global Initiative to Improve Health Outcomes for Women, Children, and Adolescents in Humanitarian and Health Fragile Settings

For her MPH internship, Jennifer Milbank MPH '19 worked with the International Center for Migration, Health, and Development to to advocate for the health needs of millions of women and children displaced by humanitarian crises.

Piloting a New Data Analysis Method to Help Advance Patient-Focused Drug Development Research for Alzheimer’s Disease

For her MPH internship at Biogen, Isha Mehta MPH '19 explored how racial and ethnic diversity impacts Alzheimer’s disease, in an effort to help create and deliver medications that are more beneficial to patients.

Dartmouth Study Examines Association Between Care Management and Outcomes Among Patients in Medicare ACOs

A new study from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, published this week in JAMA Network Open, finds that Accountable Care Organization (ACO)-reported care management and coordination activities were not associated with improved outcomes or lower spending for patients with complex needs. 

Dartmouth Institute Study Finds Downside Risk Contracts Still Less Common for ACOs

The new study, published in Health Affairs, shows that while the number and variety of contracts held by Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have increased dramatically in recent years, the proportion of those bearing downside risk has seen only modest growth.

MPH and MS Capstones Generate a New Set of Data-Driven Solutions to Transform the Future of Public Health

As part of their capstone work, students design research proposals, conduct health policy reviews and analyses, and design intervention proposals and quality improvement projects.

Jennifer Esposito, MS’98

Natalie Anderson, MPH'20

Shashi Shankar, MPH'13

“I’ll always be grateful for my TDI experience—it honestly changed the course of my life.”

The Dartmouth Institute’s Class of 2019 'Called to do Great Things' in Healthcare

Congratulations to our 2019 MPH, MS, and PhD graduates!

Dartmouth Institute Study Reveals How ACOs Use Home Visits to Improve Care and Reduce Hospital Use

The study, led by Taressa Fraze, PhD, offer new details about how Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are using home visits to improve care management and identify patient needs while aiming to reduce costs. The study was part of a broader research effort at Dartmouth focused on how ACOs care for patients with complex clinical and social needs.

Geisel Researchers to Receive $2.6 Million Award to Study Pediatric Hospital Admissions

Dartmouth Institute Associate Professor JoAnna Leyenaar is leading team of Geisel researchers on a PCORI-funded project to compare the effectiveness of direct admission and admission through emergency departments (EDs) for hospitalized children.

Study Finds that Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy Lowers Risk of Preterm Births

Dartmouth Institute Associate Professor Samir Soneji is the lead author on a new study that addresses the important association between maternal cigarette smoking cessation during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth.

Jennifer Strahan MS’10

James O’Malley Receives Distinguished Award for Scientific Excellence

The Dartmouth Institute professor and director of the Program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences has received the 2019 ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) Award for Excellence in Health Economics and Outcomes Research Methodology.

How common are advance care planning conversations when the patient is hospitalized, older, and at a high risk of dying?

A Dartmouth research team analyzed advanced care planning billing at a national physician practice and found that despite incentives, the rate of ACP-billed conversations was low and varied greatly among physicians and practice sites.

Going Public: MPH Students Hone Their Skills in the Field

Find out how four students in the Class of 2019 are working with leading nonprofits, health systems, consulting firms, and even their own companies to improve health and healthcare in communities across the country.

There’s Strength in Numbers for People Facing Serious Illness

Researchers at The Dartmouth Institute are developing a Palliative Care Learning Health System Incubator (LHS-Incubator) that unites the distinct knowledge and experiences of patients, caregivers, and clinicians—enabling these groups to work together to design and develop novel services and tools to improve palliative care experiences.

Tools to Help Seriously Ill Patients Near Death Make Decisions About Their Care Aren’t Commonly Used in Routine Practice

A new study by researchers from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice found that although there are dozens of tools available to help people make difficult decisions near the end of their lives, they are of varying quality and very few are actually available for patients and families to use in hospitals.

Reid Plimpton MPH'19 is Working With Maine’s Immigrant Communities and Gaining Experience in Community-Based Participatory Methods

Reid Plimpton found the topic of his Applied Practice Experience by first identifying the “public health skills he was interested in adding to his professional toolkit.” At the top of the list was experience in community-based participatory methods, project evaluation, and policy development.

Mandy Miller MPH'19 is in a New York State of Mind, Examining How Lawmakers Can Expand Access to Affordable Health Coverage

For her Applied Practice Experience, Mandy Miller turned her attention to analyzing data on New York’s individual health insurance market and investigating what kind of policies New York State could adopt to create a sustainable health insurance system.

Stoddard Davenport MPH'19 and Colleagues Are Bringing Public Health into Private Consulting

Stoddard Davenport Davenport and his colleagues at Milliman’s Denver Health Practice are using their skills as consultants and researchers to help their colleagues across the insurance industry gain a deeper understanding of the opioid epidemic as a public health crisis.

Will Erickson MPH'19 Believes the Patient Should Be the Hero of Their Own Story

As a union organizer and process improvement coach, Will Erickson believes in the power of a group that’s working toward a common goal. So perhaps it’s not surprising that for his Applied Practice Experience (APE), he chose to work with Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) in Eastern Massachusetts focusing on the group visit (GV) model of healthcare delivery.

Can Artificial Intelligence Help Doctors and Patients Have Better Conversations?

Gerald Onuoha, MD, MS’15

Medical Marketing Has Skyrocketed in the Past Two Decades, While Oversight Remains Limited

In an article recently published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice reviewed medical marketing (the marketing of prescription drugs, disease awareness, laboratory tests and health services to consumers and professionals) over a 20-year period from 1997 through 2016 and found that while it had increased dramatically from about $17.7 billion to $29.9 billion, regulation has not.

It’s all in the algorithm!

In an effort to improve what can often be a frustrating and confusing search for information about cancer treatment options, two PhD students at The Dartmouth Institute, Katie Saunders and Curtis Peterson, are using machine-learning technology to rate and evaluate whether the materials patients receive is clear and helpful.

Veterans Health Administration Hospitals Outperform Non–VHA Hospitals in Most Healthcare Markets

The Dartmouth Institute Honors the Legacy of Professor Lisa Schwartz

The Dartmouth Institute honors the legacy of Professor Lisa Schwartz whose pioneering research helped improve the communication of medical information to physicians, policymakers, media, and the public.

Patient Engagement as a New Blockbuster Drug, Not Quite Yet, Study Finds

A new study by Dartmouth Institute researchers tries to answer the question: If patient engagement is the new ‘blockbuster drug,’ why are we not seeing spectacular effects? The team conducted 103 interviews with 68 healthcare professionals designed to measure understanding of PAE and barriers to implementation were conducted in May of 2015 and May of 2016.

Key Elements: Valuing Medical Students in Research

Dartmouth Institute researcher Paul Barr, PhD, MSc and the Open Recordings team have been working with Geisel medical students on a range of projects centered on developing and implementing scalable solutions for the use of recordings in clinical practice.

Professor Ellen Meara Appointed to Endowed Professorship

Ellen Meara, PhD, has been named to the Peggy Y. Thomson Professorship in the Evaluative Clinical Sciences.

Recent Survey Provides an Updated National Estimate of Doctors’ Financial Ties to Industry

Dartmouth Institute physician-researchers Lisa Schwartz and Steven Woloshin were part of a team that conducted a national survey of internal medicine doctors to better understand the effects of changes in gift and payment policies from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to physicians implemented in 2013.

New Research: Use of Tobacco and Marijuana Products Regularly Featured in Hip-Hop Music Videos

Dartmouth Institute Receives $3.5 Million Grant for Research to Prevent Acute Kidney Injury During Cardiac Catheterization

Over two million people in the United States undergo cardiac catheterization each year. While the procedure is used effectively for both diagnostic and interventional purposes, it is not without risk: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in up to 14 percent of all patients following a cardiac catheterization and up to 50 percent in patients with pre-existing kidney disease. A research team led by Dartmouth Institute Associate Professor Jeremiah Brown recently was awarded a $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH) to test preventative interventions, which have the potential to significantly improve patient safety and outcomes, through a virtual learning collaborative with or without automated surveillance reporting (ASR).

Prof. Louise Davies: Member of an International Task Force Making Recommendations on Thyroid Cancer Monitoring in the Wake of a Nuclear Accident

Dartmouth Institute Associate Professor Louise Davies, a well-known exert on overdiagnosis and thyroid cancer, recently served on a World Health Organization task force that offered recommendations for thyroid screening. The group gave a preview of their recommendations in a recent Lancet Oncology article.

Jazz, Vampires, and Patient Preferences: Dartmouth's First-Ever Healthcare Foundations Offers a Humanistic Approach to Training Future Healthcare Leaders

Over the course of an intensive week, faculty and clinical experts guided students through a week of exploring how the humanities can offer new perspectives and strategies for improving patient care.

Dartmouth Institute study reveals public and physician attitudes on recording clinical visits

New Dartmouth Institute study is the first to measure the prevalence of recording of clinical visits in the United States. The study also assesses the attitudes of doctors and the public toward recording, and surveys 49 large health systems. in the U.S. to determine whether they currently have in place policies on recording.

Solution-Driven & Focused on Systems Improvement: Meet Our New On-Campus MPH Class

The Dartmouth Institute’s on-campus Master of Public Health program brings together business consultants, policy advocates, physicians (aspiring and actual), and other healthcare professionals from around the country—and the world. Find out more about what drives this dedicated group of recent graduate and mid-career professionals, and what they’re looking for in Dartmouth Institute ‘deliverables.’

MPH Student Spotlight: Melanie Wang

Prior to enrolling at Dartmouth, Melanie Wang spent five years in procurement consulting, helping supply chain teams across Fortune 500 clients transform their procurement organizations by delivering savings and impact.

MPH Student Spotlight: Karin Pivaral

An interest in public health and health policy next led Karin Pivaral to The Dartmouth Institute, where she also serves as the chief health services officer for a medical support unit in the Army Reserves.

MPH Student Spotlight: Tarun Jella

With medical school as his eventual goal, Tarun Jella continually seeks a balance between professional development and personal accountability for systemic injustice—a theme he hopes will carry throughout his career.

MPH Student Spotlight: Juan Jose Delgado-Hurtado, MD

After completing his first year of an endocrinology fellowship, Juan Jose Delgado-Hurtado transitioned to Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Leadership Preventive Medicine Residency (LPMR) program, which enables residents or fellows to obtain an MPH degree from The Dartmouth Institute.

‘Serious’ Video Games May Improve Physician Decision Making in Trauma Triage Situations

An emergency medicine physician working in the field or at a non-trauma center often has minutes to assess a patient’s injuries and decide whether they are severe enough to warrant transfer to a Level I or II trauma center. Under these circumstances—and often with only incomplete or suboptimal information available—emergency physicians rely heavily on their judgment of how closely a patient’s injuries mirror or represent the typical case that would require transfer to a trauma center. In order to help improve this type of physician decision making, known as heuristics, Dartmouth Institute Professor Amber Barnato, MD, recently worked with researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University to develop and test two “serious” video game training interventions designed to improve judgment.

Highly Accomplished & Highly Committed: Meet the Online MPH Class of 2020

From New York City to Canada’s Northwest Territories, working in both the public and private sector, find out more about what drives these dedicated healthcare professionals, and what they’re looking for in Dartmouth Institute ‘deliverables.’

MPH Student Spotlight: Hema Karunakaram, Client Engagement Leader, IBM

MPH Student Spotlight: Daniel Wallingford, Director, New York City Department of Health

MPH Student Spotlight: Nicole Redvers, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Co-founder Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation

MPH Student Spotlight: Joshua Gonzalez, Manager, Aetna Corporate Development & Aetna Ventures

Research Awards & Updates: Smoking and Serious Mental Illness

Updates and Awards - latest research news, updates, published papers from The Dartmouth Institute community

Calvin Thomas IV, MS’03

Meredith Simmons, MPH '23

Open to Work: Written by Sharon Tregaskis

Addiction, HIV Testing, High Drug Prices, and Cancer Screening: Impact of MPH Internships Extends from Hanover to Kosovo

Read how four recent graduates have worked to effect meaningful improvements in care from rural Vermont to the small nation of Kosovo, Europe’s newest country.

2018 MPH & MS Capstones Offer Fresh Approaches to Achieving Better Health & Healthcare

As part of their capstone work, students design research proposals, conduct health policy reviews and analyses, and design intervention proposals and quality improvement projects.

Congratulations to The Dartmouth Institute Class of 2018!

Eighty-four healthcare "rock stars" just became Dartmouth alumni. Congratulations to our 2018 MPH, MS, and PhD graduates!

Geisel Launches $250M Fundraising Campaign

Interaction: The Campaign for Dartmouth Medicine will amplify the medical school’s academic vitality and global impact.

First Online MPH Gets Set to Graduate

The first class of online MPH students, pioneers themselves, are about to graduate from The Dartmouth Institute's two-year program. Learn more about this dedicated group of professionals, and what they hope to accomplish with the skills and professional relationships they’ve developed here at The Dartmouth Institute.

The Next Generation of Surgeon-Investigators Tackle Tough Questions Facing Surgeons and Patients in the 6th Annual STARS Event

Dartmouth Institute Researchers Receive $2.1 Million Award for Project Aimed at Better Informing Women with Uterine Fibroids about Treatment Options

MPH Hepatitis C Telemedicine Project: There Are Four I's in Team

Learn how four students in Dartmouth Institute's on-campus MPH (Master of Public Health) degree program came together to form the perfect team that investigated an unanswered question about telemedicine and the treatment of Hepatitis C.

Undergraduate Initiative in Health Care Delivery Science Launches with Philanthropic Gift

The Dartmouth Institute and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences have launched a new undergraduate initiative in health care delivery science education thanks to a generous gift from Dartmouth alumnus Eric Eichler '57.

Anubhav “Anu” Kaul, MD, MPH'13

Bianca Belcher, PA-C, MPH’10

A Passion for Quality Improvement Drives These Nurse Educators Turned Dartmouth Institute MPH Students

Longtime nurse educators Catherine Alexander and Mary “Mimi” Pomerleau each feels strongly that nursing leadership in QI is an untapped opportunity for the nursing profession—and for our health care system as a whole. 

The Applied Practice Experience Gives Online MPH Students an Opportunity to Improve Health Care in Communities Across the Country

See how our students are combining their experience, training, and passion to improve health and change lives in their communities and across the country.

Hybrid MPH Practicums Explore Health Initiatives Across Diverse Communities

From Quebec to Copenhagen: Annual Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference Raises Awareness Around the Globe

The Dartmouth Institute, widely recognized for its pioneering research on overdiagnosis and overtreatment, is a founding collaborator of the conference.

Q&A with The Dartmouth Institute’s Newest Faculty Member Dr. Amber Barnato

In 2017, Amber Barnato was named the inaugural Susan J. and Richard M. Levy 1960 Distinguished Professor in Health Care Delivery. Learn more about her plans for continuing her groundbreaking research into end-of-life care here at The Dartmouth Institute.

Dartmouth Institute MPH Students on Why the Time is Now!

The incoming class of Dartmouth Institute MPH students come from diverse professional backgrounds, and they believe that despite an environment of uncertainty, it’s a great time to be working in health care!

New Dartmouth Institute Analysis Looks at Laws on Patient Recording of Clinical Encounters

If you are doctor, there is a good chance that at least one of your last 10 patients recorded their visit—either with or without permission. This “new reality” has some doctors and health care clinics worried about the ownership of recordings.

Donald "Donny" Likosky, PhD’02, MS’99

Julie Johnson, MSPH, PhD'00

Michael Cacchio, MBA, MPH'15

"Bridging the Gap Between the Business and Medical Communities"

Benjamin Chan, MD, MPH'13

Geisel Researchers to Receive $1 Million Award for Comparative Outcomes Research

A team of researchers led by Dartmouth Institute Professor Tor Tosteson, ScD, has been approved for a $1 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

MPH Internship Highlights: Creating a STEM Curriculum for High Schools & QI Work at Boston Childrens Hospital

Sayoni Saha, MPH '17 and Sarah Bessen, MPH '17 developed a short program designed to help high school students learn about the less visible roles involved in the delivery of patient care.

2017 MPH and MS Capstones Offer Innovative Approaches to Improving Health

From proposals on improving obesity counseling to analyzing the impact of Medicaid Expansion Models on maternal and infant health care, this year's capstone presentations by Dartmouth MPH and MS students took on some of our biggest public health challenges.

Dartmouth Health Economist Carrie Colla Named 2017-2018 RWJF Health Policy Fellow

As a Fellow, Carrie Colla will spend a year in Washington, D.C., working on health-related legislative and regulatory issues with members of Congress and the executive branch.

3 Examples of How Economics Affects Health and Health Care

Many important forces shaping health and health care have more to do with economics and social policy than with any particular medical treatment or procedure. Dartmouth Institute Professor Ellen Meara takes a closer look.

Dartmouth Institute Students Advocate for a Healthier Nation during National Public Health Week

In recognition of National Public Health Week 2017, The Dartmouth Institute Student Advisory Council hosted a variety of events April 3-9 aimed at promoting social justice and equity, and stimulating conversations on how we can become a healthier nation.

3 Public and Health Policy Challenges That Will Define the Next Generation

In this installment of our “3” Series, Assistant Professor Samir Soneji outlines 3 public and health policy challenges that will define the next generation.

Does Payer Type—Commercial Insurance or Medicare—Affect the Use of Low-Value Care?

3 Facts About Contraceptive Care: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

In this installment of our “3” Series, Assistant Professor Rachel Thompson talks about contraceptive care in the U.S. — where we are and where we need to go.

3 Ways We Can Work Together to Improve Health and Health Care

In our “3” Series, Dartmouth Institute faculty, starting with Director Elliott Fisher talk about things we should be thinking of and ways we can improve health and health care.