A Warm Welcome to Geisel’s Incoming MS Cohort

On June 26, Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine welcomed 28 new graduate students beginning their journey in the residential Master of Science programs in Epidemiology, Health Data Science, and Medical Informatics. The day marked the start of a transformative chapter for students drawn to Geisel’s mission of improving healthcare through science, collaboration, and innovation.

The orientation began with breakfast at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), where students received their Dartmouth IDs and welcome gifts. As new faces filled the space, the mood was warm and enthusiastic.

Dr. Jennifer Emond, Assistant Dean of the Health Sciences MS Programs, opened the formal session by extending heartfelt congratulations and encouragement to the incoming class. She emphasized the dynamic, interdisciplinary nature of the MS programs and the exciting journey ahead.

The morning continued with an overview from the administrative team: Monica Espinoza, Krissy Giffin, and Amanda Helali. They introduced students to the resources and logistical essentials for navigating their programs. A session led by Heather Blunt, Research and Education Librarian, familiarized students with the Biomedical Libraries and highlighted the value of information literacy in graduate-level scholarship.

One of the highlights of the day was the student life session hosted by Curriculum Director Dr. Monica Espinoza. The students were offered first-hand insights into the student experience, fostering connection and excitement for what lies ahead.

The day concluded on a light note with a scavenger hunt across the Hanover campus, giving students a fun way to explore key support offices and build camaraderie with their new peers. The adventure ended at local restaurant Sawtooth, a fitting end to a full day of welcome, orientation, and new beginnings.

As they step into their respective programs, the newest members of Geisel’s graduate community carry with them the support of a dedicated faculty and staff, a wealth of resources, and the promise of a challenging and fulfilling academic path.

Welcome to Geisel. We’re thrilled to have you here!

POSTED 6/27/2025 AT 09:42 AM IN #epidemiology #MedicalInformatics #HealthDataScience #MS #Orientation #Master of Science