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Student Spotlight: Vincent Busque MD '26

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A Calling Rooted in Care: Vincent Busque’s Journey to Academic Medicine

 

For Vincent Busque, the desire to become a doctor took shape early. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to become a doctor,” he reflects, a curiosity sparked at the dinner table as he listened to his parents—both physicians—talk about their work. What began as an effort to understand those conversations gradually deepened into something more meaningful: a wish to be present with people in their most vulnerable moments, to investigate the causes of their illness, and to give patients a sense of ownership over their condition by helping them understand their disease. Grounded in these early experiences, Vincent’s motivation to practice medicine has grown into a commitment to empathy, partnership, and presence in patient care.

Vincent came to Dartmouth seeking something new. Having spent his life in the Bay Area, he was ready for seasons, winters, and as much skiing as possible, but what truly drew him to Geisel was the community. The close-knit environment, attention to humanity in medicine, and reputation stood out. He felt confident Dartmouth would prepare him clinically while also nurturing the values that inspired him to pursue medicine in the first place.

At Dartmouth, Vincent says his education has shaped both the physician and the person he is becoming. Clinically, he feels well prepared for residency, but equally impactful has been the emphasis on humanism in medicine. His experiences at Dartmouth introduced him to the possibility of a future in medical education and to the exciting challenge of weaving compassion, character development, and reflection into physician training. Vincent has embraced leadership opportunities, most notably serving as student body president, where he focuses on championing wellbeing, professional development, and fostering a supportive, fun, and values-driven community.

One of the most pleasant surprises of Vincent’s time at Dartmouth has been how responsive and collaborative the learning environment feels. “The small-town community paired with a large academic hospital creates a unique environment where I feel like people have gotten to really know me,” he shares. Faculty, including deans, regularly show up for students, invite them into their homes, and support student-led initiatives, creating a sense of belonging that Vincent finds deeply meaningful.

Looking ahead, Vincent is applying to residency in internal medicine, with aspirations of becoming an academic hospitalist. He is drawn to the breadth of general internal medicine, the opportunity to care for complex and undifferentiated patients, and the collaborative nature of inpatient teams. Long term, he hopes to focus on teaching medical students and residents, shaping learning environments, and contributing to leadership in medical education.

Reflecting on his time in medical school, Vincent offers incoming students this advice: don’t forget to enjoy the experience and hold on to what makes you who you are. Medical school can be hard, he says, but it has also been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life. Friends, classmates, and mentors have reminded him not to sacrifice the passions and values that ground him, even if that occasionally means missing a recorded lecture to catch fresh turns after a snowstorm.

Outside of the classroom, Vincent takes full advantage of life in the Upper Valley. He loves being within an hour of several ski mountains and enjoys exploring the evening scene in White River Junction, where he lives. Favorite spots include Taj-E-India for takeout, a speakeasy hidden inside a restaurant, and a wine-and-coffee bar perfect for low-key nights with friends. The Upper Valley may be small, he says, but there are plenty of hidden gems.

During his third year, Vincent appreciated Geisel’s approach to clerkships, which balance strong regional training with opportunities beyond the Upper Valley. Returning to San Francisco for clinical rotations allowed him to be closer to home while gaining exposure to diverse patient populations and urban health systems. He developed greater facility with interpreter services, learned to navigate a new health system, skills that proved invaluable in fourth year, and gained insight into the structural and social barriers many urban patients face. Outside the hospital, he relished exploring the city, from walks to Salt & Straw for ice cream to picnics in neighborhood parks and runs to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Vincent’s journey reflects a deep commitment to compassionate care, thoughtful leadership, and the belief that medicine is as much about humanity as it is about science.

 

Written by: Mia Soucy

POSTED 1/8/2026 AT 10:40 AM IN #studentspotlight #MD #2026