The Geisel School of Medicine welcomed two new cohorts of online health sciences master’s students this September, marking the beginning of a new academic journey for students in the Online MS in Health Data Science and Online MS in Implementation Science programs.
Representing a range of academic and professional backgrounds and locations across the globe, the incoming students joined for orientation sessions designed to introduce them to their programs, connect them with faculty and classmates, and help them make the most of the resources available to them through Dartmouth.
The Online MS in Health Data Science program held its live orientation session on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. The session began with introductions from Jennifer Emond, assistant dean for Health Sciences MS Programs, and Monica Espinoza, MS program director.
Espinoza outlined the pace and structure of the two-year program, giving students an overview of the weekly rhythm they can expect. The consistent schedule is designed to give students a predictable framework for balancing graduate study with professional and personal responsibilities.
Students also learned about resources available to support their development, including academic coaching through the Office of Academic Advising and Accessibility, the Office of Student Life, and Career Services. Students received contact information for each office along with an overview of the services available to them.
The orientation concluded with a question-and-answer session, where students asked about curriculum, opportunities to become involved in research, and the upcoming start of classes.
For Espinoza, the start of the new cohort represents an exciting moment for both the students and the program.
“It is with great joy that I extend a hearty welcome to our new class of online Health Data Science students! This program was crafted with resident expertise for the modern data scientist, and I am excited to support our students as they go through the program. Our students have begun classes and are on their way toward gaining valuable skills. Online learning at Geisel is an exciting area of innovation, and I can’t wait to witness our students’ growth during their time with Geisel.”
One theme that emerged during the session was students’ enthusiasm for becoming involved in the Geisel community. Many of their questions focused on research opportunities and extracurricular clubs, reflecting their interest in making the most of their graduate experience beyond the classroom.
The Online MS in Implementation Science welcomed its incoming students through two live orientation sessions, held Sept. 8 and Sept. 10. Offering two sessions allowed students from different time zones to participate live, an important consideration for a program whose students include working professionals from across the United States and around the world. This year’s incoming cohort represents 13 states across the U.S., as well as the Philippines and Tanzania, bringing together professionals from a range of disciplines.
For Gayle Cohen, director of the MS Implementation Science program, that breadth of experience is an important part of the program’s educational community.
“We are incredibly excited about the professional diversity of our incoming cohort. We feel that the individual perspectives of each student’s lived and professional experience in our cohort strengthens the learning of the whole, and ultimately will improve outcomes for the lives they impact.”
Geisel School of Medicine Dean Jennifer Hunt welcomed the incoming students during their first live session of Foundations of Implementation Science.
“I just want to say how excited we are that you are joining us for this new chapter of your lives. We are looking forward to not just being your partners in education, but also being your academic family for the rest of your careers and your lives.”
For students in both cohorts, orientation offered an opportunity to begin building the connections that will deepen throughout their time at Dartmouth and beyond. As the academic year begins these students are brought together with a shared sense of curiosity and purpose, joining a strong community of Geisel learners.
Written by Mia Soucy, Admissions Manager at Geisel School of Medicine