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Student Spotlight: Ava Schroeder, MS in Healthcare Research ’26

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Healthcare research became meaningful to Ava Schroeder when she saw firsthand how it could directly impact patient care.

Now a student in the Geisel School of Medicine’s MS in Healthcare Research program, Schroeder has immersed herself in patient-centered outcomes research, collaborative scholarship, and academic leadership. Most recently, she was selected to present at the 2026 Spring New England American College of Sports Medicine Conference at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts.

Schroeder traces her interest in healthcare research back to a summer internship at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she worked on a project examining postoperative complications of ACL reconstruction surgery.

“I was fascinated by how the research question stemmed from trends observed in the clinic and how the results could eventually feed back into patient care,” she said. “I started to see the value that research can bring to clinical settings and decision-making.”

When searching for graduate programs, Schroeder was drawn to Dartmouth’s emphasis on thoughtful, patient-centered research, as well as the close-knit academic environment and opportunities for independent work.

“I came to Dartmouth because I wanted to learn how to design patient-centered research and better understand how evidence can inform care delivery and policy,” she said. “I was also drawn to the small class sizes, opportunities for independent projects, and the outdoor environment of the Upper Valley.”

Throughout the program, Schroeder says her understanding of research has evolved. Through her ILE (Integrative Learning Experience) project, a multi-site study examining clinical patterns of a rare vascular condition, she began to think more critically about what variation in healthcare outcomes can reveal about care delivery.

“When I started my project, I was focused on describing outcomes and factors associated with them,” she explained. “Through my coursework, I’ve developed a framework to think about these rates beyond numbers and consider how variation can reveal differences in how care is delivered across settings.”

That shift in perspective, she says, has helped her think more deeply about how research can support patient decision-making and improve clinical practice.

“As I prepare for a career in medicine, I hope to carry this perspective with me to better understand and care for the patient in front of me,” says Schroeder.

She describes the intentionality and accessibility of faculty members as one stand-out aspect of the Dartmouth experience. “It surprised me how intentional the professors are here,” she said. “They genuinely care about our understanding, goals, and the connection between the classroom and the real world.”

She added that conversations with faculty members have made her education feel both personal and rewarding in unexpected ways.

Schroeder has also enjoyed bringing classroom learning into broader spaces. Through the PH 100 and PH 102 course sequence, she collaborated with classmates on a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the psychosocial outcomes of youth sports specialization. The group submitted the work to the 2026 Spring New England American College of Sports Medicine Conference, where Schroeder delivered a podium presentation this spring.

“It was rewarding to take this project outside of the classroom for the first time and present it to a group of experts in the field,” she said. “As more children specialize in sports at younger ages, it feels increasingly important to understand how these participation trends may impact psychosocial outcomes, not just physical outcomes that are often emphasized in the literature.”

Renata West Yen, PhD, MPH, who taught Schroeder and her classmates in PH 102 and mentored the group throughout the project, praised Schroeder’s initiative and commitment to research dissemination.

“Ava took the initiative to find a very relevant, local conference and prepare and submit the group’s abstract,” said West Yen. “Ava and her team pulled together an excellent review, and Ava’s interest in research dissemination really shined as she took the step of finding a way to share their findings. The award given to this abstract and Ava reflects the hard work and many hours they put in all year to develop and conduct this systematic review.”

In addition to her academic work, Schroeder recently joined the curriculum committee and a subcommittee focused on evaluation and assessment. Although still new to the role, she has already contributed to discussions around competency alignment and assignment evaluation.

“I look forward to staying involved and contributing to the continued improvement of education for students in Dartmouth’s MPH and MS programs,” she said.

Looking ahead, Schroeder plans to apply to medical school while continuing to integrate health services research into her future career.

“Dartmouth has given me a stronger understanding of how to critically appraise available evidence and think carefully about how it applies to practice,” she said. “I hope to use that foundation to inform the care I provide to patients, while also continuing research efforts to better understand and improve care delivery across healthcare systems.”

For incoming students, Schroeder encourages making the most of the program’s fast pace and supportive environment.

“An 11-month program goes by fast, so my advice is to pursue opportunities early,” she said. “Everyone is here to support you, and the more you lean into that support, the more you will get out of the experience.”

And one final recommendation for life in the Upper Valley?

“Be sure to explore the wonderful outdoors around campus and try a maple creemee while you are here!”

Written By: Mia Soucy

POSTED 6/1/2026 AT 10:18 AM IN #studentspotlight #ILE #MS #healthcareresearch