Student Spotlight: Gabriel Loud, MPH'26

Advancing Public Health Beyond the Clinic

Gabriel Loud, a Master of Public Health (MPH) candidate at Dartmouth, currently works as a Research Analyst in federal health policy in Washington, DC. He became interested in public health after his first job following his undergraduate degree from Colgate University. As a clinical research assistant in the neuropsychology department at Children’s National Hospital, Gabriel was struck by how many factors outside the clinician’s control can impact both patient health and a clinician's ability to provide quality care.

“I didn’t want to become a clinician, so I was excited to explore how I could make an impact on healthcare from a non-clinical role,” Gabriel explains.

Gabriel was drawn to Dartmouth’s Master of Public Health Hybrid program because of its flexible structure and curriculum, which he describes as “the best of both worlds.” A New Hampshire native, he was excited about the opportunity to “return home” to a campus where he spent time during his childhood.

“I really liked the format of Dartmouth’s Hybrid MPH program. I wanted to continue working in my current role but didn’t want my MPH experience to be entirely remote and asynchronous, so the hybrid format seemed like the best fit.”

Gabriel also values the diverse educational and professional backgrounds of his classmates. “While many of us are at very different stages in our professional and personal lives, we quickly came together as a group and support each other’s learning.”

Gabriel credits his ongoing Dartmouth education with providing him new perspectives, skills, and knowledge that strengthen his work in policy research and analysis—critical components of his role as a Research Analyst. He also appreciates the exposure to various healthcare opportunities, citing a recent presentation by the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health as an impactful introduction to digital health tools.

After graduating from Dartmouth, Gabriel hopes to continue focusing on mental health policy. “Mental health is finally getting the recognition it deserves as fundamental to well-being, and there is a lot of room for improvement in the United States’ mental healthcare system.” He also plans to gain more experience in healthcare payment systems and the operational aspects of healthcare delivery. Gabriel looks forward to exploring and gaining experience in the different, but interconnected, areas of public health.

As advice for incoming Online & Hybrid MPH students, Gabriel recommends making time for activities that support your overall well-being while balancing the demands of full-time work and part-time education. For him, that means spending time outdoors, going for runs, cooking, and socializing with friends. He also encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities during Dartmouth’s on-campus intensive weeks. “The relationships built with your classmates and Dartmouth faculty are incredibly valuable,” he says. Finally, while in Hanover, Gabriel recommends skating on Occom Pond or any of the local outdoor ice rinks, and grabbing a meal at Lou’s!

Written by: Mia Soucy

POSTED 3/5/2025 AT 01:09 PM IN #studentspotlight