Student Spotlight: Elena Gupta, MD ’26
Finding Purpose and Leading with Heart
Now a fourth-year student at the Geisel School of Medicine, Elena Gupta arrived at medicine after exploring a wide range of paths, determined to make a thoughtful decision about how best to live out her purpose.
For much of her undergraduate education, she considered becoming a sociologist. With a clear calling to address inequality, the question became where she could most effectively fulfill that purpose. Over time, she recognized a deep internal calling to pursue medicine and realized there was nothing else she would rather be doing. That conviction has only strengthened throughout her time at Dartmouth. Even on challenging days, she finds inspiration in her patients and remains in awe of the “magic of medicine,” saying, “I love medicine because I love humanity.”
Elena applied to Geisel during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when interviews and Second Look events were virtual. Even through a screen, she recalls feeling the warmth of the Dartmouth community. Having moved eight times in her first eight years of life, she learned early on that, for her, home is defined by people rather than place. Geisel, she says, has become home.
“It will always be one of my favorite places on Earth!”
She describes Dartmouth as a place where people “think big,” and where students with bold ideas can find mentors eager to support them. During her time at Geisel, she has pursued opportunities she never imagined as a premedical student, including authoring a book chapter for an encyclopedia on health professions education research and leading a national study on the ethical use of social media in medical school admissions. The culture of mentorship has empowered her to transform ideas into meaningful work.
Medical school, she reflects, has been the most joyful and fulfilling part of her academic journey so far. Her clinical rotations have strengthened her conviction that clinical medicine is the right path forward. She particularly loved her time at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, where she completed her Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Psychiatry clerkships. Caring for veterans was both meaningful and formative, and the experience left a lasting impression.
Looking ahead, Elena will pursue residency in Internal Medicine, with the possibility of subspecialty fellowship training in the future. She hopes to integrate clinical care with research, teaching, and leadership in academic medicine. As she prepares for this next chapter, she feels deeply grateful for her Geisel education and confident that her mentors have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to navigate whatever lies ahead.
Outside of the classroom and hospital, Elena finds grounding in the nature of the Upper Valley. She enjoys long walks to stay connected to nature and especially loves canoeing on the Connecticut River during the summer. Over the years, she has brought many visiting friends along with her, and the experience continues to bring her peace and joy.
Her advice to incoming students is to hold on to your “why” in medicine. Keep your personal statement in a drawer somewhere for a rainy day so you can reread, in your own words, what brought you here. Having a strong sense of purpose in medicine and in life will sustain you when challenges arise.
Purpose continues to drive Elena’s journey. Rooted in a love for humanity and a commitment to equity, her experience at Geisel has been defined by achievement, expansion, and joy.
Written by: Mia Soucy
POSTED 2/24/2026 AT 11:39 AM IN #studentspotlight #MD #2026
GET IN TOUCH
To arrange a media interview, please contact:
geisel.communications
@dartmouth.edu