Best Medical Schools in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is home to some of the most well-regarded medical programs in the Northeast, offering a strong commitment to research, clinical excellence, and service to rural and underserved communities. While the state itself does not have a large number of medical schools, its institutions offer exceptional education through partnerships, emphasizing community-based care and medical research.

1. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, located in Hanover, is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in the United States. Founded in 1797, Geisel is part of Dartmouth College and is known for its strong focus on medical education, cutting-edge research, and commitment to addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in rural areas.

Key Features

• Integrated Curriculum: Geisel offers a highly innovative, integrated curriculum that combines clinical training with basic science from the first year, preparing students for both patient care and research.
• Research Excellence: The school is known for its commitment to biomedical research, with strong programs in cancer, cardiovascular health, healthcare policy, and neuroscience.
• Rural Health Focus: Geisel has a strong focus on rural and underserved communities, particularly in New Hampshire and surrounding states, emphasizing the need for healthcare access in these areas.

Degree Programs

• MD Program: A four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program that integrates clinical experience from the beginning, focusing on evidence-based medicine, leadership, and personalized learning.
• MD/PhD Program: Known as the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), this dual degree combines medical education with intensive biomedical research, preparing students for careers as physician-scientists.
• MD/MPH Program: A dual degree program that allows students to combine their medical education with public health, focusing on population health and healthcare systems.
• MD/MBA Program: Offered in partnership with Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, this program is ideal for students interested in healthcare administration and leadership roles.

Clinical Experience

Geisel students benefit from extensive clinical training opportunities through Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and other affiliated healthcare institutions:

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC): The primary teaching hospital for Geisel, DHMC is the largest healthcare provider in the state, offering a wide range of clinical rotations in specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, and oncology.
• White River Junction VA Medical Center: Provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in veteran care, focusing on chronic disease management, mental health, and geriatric care.
• Rural Health Clinics: Geisel emphasizes rural healthcare, offering clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
• Global Health Rotations: The school provides opportunities for students to participate in international rotations, offering experience in global health issues and healthcare delivery in low-resource settings.

Research Opportunities

Geisel is known for its extensive research programs, with numerous opportunities for students to engage in groundbreaking projects:

• Norris Cotton Cancer Center: An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offering students the chance to participate in cancer research and clinical trials.
• Center for Health Policy and Clinical Improvement: Focuses on improving healthcare delivery, access, and outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved populations.
• Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice: A national leader in health services research, providing opportunities for students to engage in healthcare policy research aimed at improving healthcare quality and efficiency.
• Biomedical Research: Geisel offers opportunities for students to engage in research across a range of fields, including neuroscience, cardiovascular health, immunology, and precision medicine.

2. University of New Hampshire – Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program

While the University of New Hampshire (UNH) does not have its own medical school, it offers a highly regarded Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program that prepares students for admission to medical schools and other health professional programs. UNH has a strong commitment to undergraduate education and research, offering students the foundation needed to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other healthcare fields.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Pre-Medical Curriculum: UNH provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, to prepare students for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and medical school admissions.
• Personalized Advising: UNH offers personalized advising through its Health Professions Advising Office, helping students navigate the medical school application process, choose relevant coursework, and find research and clinical opportunities.
• Research Opportunities: UNH is a leader in undergraduate research, offering students the chance to participate in research projects that enhance their medical school applications.

Degree Programs

• Pre-Medical Studies: UNH’s pre-medical program provides students with the necessary coursework to apply to medical school, including subjects such as biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, and physiology.
• Health Professions Programs: In addition to pre-medical studies, UNH offers tracks for students interested in other healthcare professions, such as dentistry, veterinary medicine, and physician assistant studies.
• Biomedical Sciences (BS): UNH offers a major in biomedical sciences that prepares students for careers in healthcare and research, with a focus on human health, disease mechanisms, and public health.

Clinical Experience

UNH pre-medical students gain clinical experience through a variety of local healthcare partnerships and volunteer opportunities:

• Exeter Hospital: Provides students with opportunities to shadow physicians and healthcare professionals in various specialties, including internal medicine, pediatrics, and surgery.
• Wentworth-Douglass Hospital: Offers students shadowing and volunteer experiences in a community hospital setting, focusing on primary care, emergency medicine, and chronic disease management.
• Local Clinics and Healthcare Providers: Students have access to numerous healthcare facilities across New Hampshire, gaining hands-on experience through shadowing, internships, and volunteer programs.
• Rural Health Internships: UNH offers internships and clinical opportunities in rural healthcare settings, providing students with experience in addressing the unique healthcare challenges of remote and underserved areas.

Research Opportunities

UNH is a leader in undergraduate research, providing numerous opportunities for students to engage in projects that prepare them for medical school:

• Biomedical Research: UNH offers research opportunities in fields such as molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, and biochemistry, with a focus on understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
• Health Disparities Research: UNH encourages students to participate in research that addresses health disparities, public health, and healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved populations.
• Interdisciplinary Research: UNH promotes collaboration between students and faculty in the health sciences, public health, and social sciences, allowing for interdisciplinary research that addresses complex healthcare challenges.

3. Dartmouth College – Master of Public Health (MPH) Program

Dartmouth College, in addition to offering medical degrees through the Geisel School of Medicine, also offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) Program through The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. This program is designed for students interested in improving healthcare systems, public health, and health policy, making it an excellent option for those looking to impact population health and healthcare delivery.

Key Features

• Healthcare Systems Focus: The Dartmouth MPH program emphasizes the analysis and improvement of healthcare systems, preparing students to lead public health initiatives and healthcare policy reforms.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: The program integrates clinical, public health, and policy education, allowing students to understand the intersection of healthcare delivery and health policy.
• Global Public Health: The program includes a strong global health component, providing students with opportunities to study international healthcare systems and participate in global health initiatives.

Degree Programs

• Master of Public Health (MPH): A one-year program that trains students in public health practice, policy analysis, and healthcare management, with a focus on improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare delivery.
• MPH/MBA Dual Degree: Offered in partnership with Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, this dual degree is designed for students interested in healthcare leadership, combining public health with business management.
• MPH/MS in Healthcare Research: A dual degree for students interested in combining public health with research in healthcare systems, clinical outcomes, and healthcare policy.

Clinical and Public Health Experience

Students in Dartmouth’s MPH program gain hands-on experience through fieldwork, internships, and research projects:

• Health Policy Fellowships: The program offers fellowships and internships with healthcare organizations, government agencies, and non-profits, focusing on healthcare policy, quality improvement, and health system reform.
• Global Health Fieldwork: Dartmouth offers students the opportunity to engage in global health projects, working on public health initiatives in low-resource settings and learning about international healthcare systems.
• Public Health Rotations: Students complete rotations with local public health departments, healthcare organizations, and non-profits, gaining experience in program development, policy implementation, and public health advocacy.

Research Opportunities

The Dartmouth MPH program is research-intensive, offering students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects:

• Health Policy Research: Students can participate in research that focuses on improving healthcare systems, reducing costs, and enhancing the quality of care, particularly in underserved populations.
• Global Health Research: Dartmouth encourages students to engage in global health research, focusing on public health challenges such as infectious disease prevention, maternal and child health, and healthcare access in low-income countries.
• Health Services Research: The program offers opportunities to participate in research on healthcare delivery, clinical outcomes, and health services, with an emphasis on translating research into policy and practice improvements.

4. Colby-Sawyer College – School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Located in New London, New Hampshire, Colby-Sawyer College offers a strong School of Nursing and Health Sciences, preparing students for careers in nursing, healthcare management, and public health. The college emphasizes hands-on learning, clinical experience, and community engagement, making it an ideal option for students interested in healthcare professions.

Key Features

• Holistic Nursing Education: The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on the physical, emotional, and social well-being of patients.
• Community-Based Learning: Colby-Sawyer emphasizes experiential learning, with students gaining hands-on experience through clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
• Healthcare Leadership: The college prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare, with programs that focus on healthcare management, public health, and nursing leadership.

Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A comprehensive undergraduate program that prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs), focusing on clinical skills, patient-centered care, and leadership in nursing practice.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): A graduate program that prepares nurses for advanced practice roles, with a focus on leadership, education, and healthcare administration.
• Health Science (BS): An undergraduate program that prepares students for careers in healthcare management, public health, and health education, with a focus on improving healthcare delivery and population health.

Clinical Experience

Colby-Sawyer nursing students gain clinical experience through a network of healthcare institutions across New Hampshire:

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: A primary clinical partner for Colby-Sawyer, providing students with hands-on experience in a wide range of specialties, including medical-surgical nursing, maternity care, and critical care.
• New London Hospital: Offers students clinical rotations in a community hospital setting, focusing on primary care, chronic disease management, and preventive care.
• Community Health Centers: Colby-Sawyer students participate in rotations at local health centers, gaining experience in public health, primary care, and healthcare delivery in underserved communities.
• School-Based Health Programs: The college partners with local schools to provide students with experience in school-based health programs, focusing on pediatric care, health education, and community health promotion.

Research Opportunities

Colby-Sawyer’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences supports research that focuses on improving patient care and healthcare delivery:

• Nursing Research: Students are encouraged to engage in research that improves nursing practice, patient outcomes, and healthcare delivery, with projects focused on evidence-based practice and chronic disease management.
• Healthcare Leadership Research: The college promotes research on healthcare management, policy, and leadership, with a focus on improving healthcare systems and patient care delivery.
• Public Health Research: Colby-Sawyer supports research aimed at improving population health, addressing health disparities, and promoting preventive care in community settings.