Today, the Geisel School of Medicine community celebrated the grand opening of its new Medical and Health Sciences Student Lounge in Remsen 3. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, those gathered grabbed snacks, entered raffles, and enjoyed the festive atmosphere in the beautifully redesigned space for Geisel medical and health sciences students.
Work on the student lounge began earlier this year as the medical school embarked on a design study project to explore the feasibility of creating an inviting Geisel student life hub with gathering spaces that further encourage the school’s mission and brings students from across Geisel’s medical and health sciences educational programs together.
A team of Thayer School of Engineering graduate students and Geisel students led the design study project to assess how existing spaces in Remsen, Vail, and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center could meet that goal. The design team worked with academic leaders, administrators, and students to re-envision the former Medical Student Affairs space on Remsen 3 as a collaborative student life hub. After months of construction to transform the space, a grand opening to celebrate the new student life hub was held today.
The new student lounge features a large common space, multiple study/meeting rooms with video conferencing capabilities, and an expanded and updated kitchen where students can gather to share meals.
“The new student lounge is a perfect environment for collaboration, community building, and a sense of belonging to the One Geisel approach to student life,” said Tara Cunningham, EdD, MS, associate dean for student life. “Earlier this semester, the Office of Student Life also unveiled new appliances to the adjacent student kitchenette, including an industrial-grade refrigerator, three microwaves, a toaster oven and deep freezer to enhance the student experience while at Geisel.”
According to Sonia Chimienti, MD, dean of educational affairs at Geisel, these changes will facilitate social connections between medical and health sciences students, encourage collaborative co-curricular experiences and community-based research projects, and foster an understanding that together, they can have a tremendous positive impact in their communities. By creating intentional opportunities for connections between learners, the physical spaces will enhance their educational experience and ultimately support interdisciplinary collaborations amongst Geisel students.
