Student Spotlight: Daniela Armella Tangarife, D'24, MD’28

Serving with Purpose: A Future Physician’s Global Mission

Daniela Armella Tangarife, a second-year medical student at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, embodies intellectual curiosity, community-driven purpose, and personal empathy. Her journey to medicine has been shaped by experiences both in her native country of Bogotá, Colombia, and in diverse U.S. communities, culminating in a deeply rooted commitment to health equity and compassionate care.

Growing up in Bogotá, Daniela volunteered in underserved neighborhoods, witnessing firsthand how poverty exacerbates health disparities. Her time in Miami and Lake Worth, Florida, working with homeless individuals and undocumented families exposed to toxic workplace conditions, illuminated how one’s social environment influences health outcomes. In addition, witnessing her younger brother navigate neurofibromatosis offered her a personal window into how physicians can blend technical expertise with emotional support, providing not just treatment but also comfort and hope.

Originally drawn to Dartmouth’s beautiful Upper Valley setting, tight-knit community, and robust alumni network, Daniela’s first impressions were cemented during a college interview in Miami in early 2020. She found resonance in Dartmouth’s strong brain sciences department, the pre-health pathway, and research opportunities with the Women in Science Project. The Early Assurance Program to Geisel sealed her commitment by offering a clear academic and professional trajectory.

As an undergraduate at Dartmouth, Daniela pursued a liberal arts education that included neuroscience, French, global health, and anthropology. This interdisciplinary foundation sharpened her critical thinking, negotiation skills, and ability to approach complex issues holistically. Dartmouth’s ten-week academic terms taught her efficiency and adaptability—habits that have proved invaluable in her rigorous pre-clinical curriculum at Geisel.

At Geisel, Daniela’s academic and clinical pursuits are integrated with her passion for health equity. She has engaged in research on pediatric appendicitis outcomes in relation to microbiome profiles and undertaken a quality improvement project examining patient satisfaction in plastic surgery when medical scribes are part of the care team. Shadowing experiences across specialties have further shaped her evolving clinical interests and affirmed her decision to enter medicine.

Daniela’s story is a testament to how education can be a vehicle for service, leadership, and self-discovery. During her five years in the Upper Valley, she has discovered new aspects of herself—developing a love for triathlon, achieving fluency in French while studying abroad in Toulouse, and thriving in Dartmouth’s close-knit community. These experiences enriched her personally and academically, reinforcing the importance of intentional growth within a supportive environment.

Looking ahead, Daniela plans to complete her MD at Geisel and hopes to pursue a residency in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. She envisions possibly pursuing a fellowship in pediatric craniofacial reconstruction in the future, while remaining open to how her path may evolve through continued exploration of different specialties.

Her advice to incoming students? “Prioritize studying abroad. I did it during sophomore winter in Toulouse, became fluent in French, and made lifelong friendships. It’s entirely feasible even on a pre-health trajectory if you plan deliberately—and it’s profoundly rewarding.”

Outside of academics, Daniela recommends embracing Dartmouth’s winter offerings: learning to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or cross-country ski. She says these activities transform New Hampshire’s freezing months into a season of community, fun, and connection.

Daniela exemplifies Dartmouth’s ethos—using interdisciplinary education, community-based experiences, and personal values to fuel a future in medicine built on equity, compassion, and meaningful impact.

Written by: Mia Soucy

POSTED 7/30/2025 AT 02:51 PM IN #2025 #MD #MD Student Spotlight