Student Spotlight: Stefano F. Rozental, MD ’26

Exploring the Intersection of Culture, Community, and Care 

For Stefano F. Rozental, a fourth-year MD student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, the path to medicine wasn’t defined by a single moment of clarity. Instead, it was shaped by a series of meaningful experiences that reinforced his interest in the field.

Growing up between two countries, the United States and Brazil, Rozental saw firsthand how healthcare systems differ across cultures and geographies. The contrast sparked an early curiosity about how medicine intersects with anthropology and society.

His interest became more personal through his relationship with his younger sister, who is 14 years his junior and lives with neurodevelopmental challenges. “We’re very close,” he says. “Witnessing her experiences, and the lack of resources available to support kids like her, drew me toward pediatrics, neurology, and neurodevelopment.” His curiosity deepened through college and a gap year working in a New York emergency department, eventually leading him to medical school.

Dartmouth stood out to him for several reasons. “Its natural surroundings, strong sense of community, integration of the humanities in medicine, and the opportunity to rotate in many different locations across the country all drew me in.”

These clinical rotations have had a significant impact on his training. From rural hospitals in New Hampshire and Vermont to major urban centers like San Francisco and Orange County, California, each site offered a unique perspective. “Working in settings with different resources and cultural values encourages creativity. I’ve learned so much from how local practitioners approach common challenges. That’s something I want to carry into my future, especially as I explore academic medicine and teaching.”

One of the most memorable aspects of his time at Dartmouth has been the people. “The medical community here is incredibly supportive. I’ll never forget the personalized cookies or the espressos that attendings would go out of their way to make for us. Small gestures like those made me feel at home.” He credits his many mentors for helping him navigate both large decisions and everyday challenges.

Rozental plans to apply into child neurology, a field that aligns with his personal experiences and professional goals.

When asked what advice he would offer to incoming students, he reflects on the importance of balance. “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be silly, be goofy. Laugh at yourself when you make the classic med student mistakes. If you’re debating whether to cram for another hour or call your family or spend time with friends, you probably already know what’s most important.”

Outside the classroom, he encourages students to engage with the local community. “There are so many incredible people and events outside of medical school if you take the time to seek them out.”

His clerkship journey took him all over the country. He completed two rotations in San Francisco, one in Southern California, another in Hartford, Connecticut, and several in the Upper Valley region. “I didn’t have a rigid plan. I just knew I wanted to explore the West Coast since I’d never spent much time there. It was a great opportunity to experience living and learning in places that were new to me.”

Written by: Mia Soucy

POSTED 8/13/2025 AT 01:39 PM IN #studentspotlight #2025 #MD Student Spotlight