Dartmouth_2026 MLK Award Ceremony Program

I AM THE DREAM 2026 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AWARD CEREMONY | JANUARY 19, 2026

BUILDING COMMUNITY AND UNITING A NATION

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GREETINGS Dear Attendees, It is a privilege to have you in attendance this afternoon at our I am the Dream: The Past, Present & Future awards ceremony. Please join me in saluting the awardees for their achievements and service to our community and for representing the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through this event, we pay homage to the talented faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members who have shaped the culture of our current institution, including our iconic alumnus, Samuel Ford McGill—Class of 1839, the first person of African descent to receive a medical degree from a U.S. institution.

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE) is pleased to host its 4th Annual Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Service event to recognize individuals who have strengthened communities and created solutions to social problems. These endeavors move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.” It's a community where humanity recognizes its deep interconnectedness, resolving conflicts with compassion and empathy, striving for the well-being of everyone, and transforming enemies into friends." Dr. King always acknowledged his vision would require reform in many areas, including education and healthcare.

The official theme for the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day is: "Building Community and Uniting a Nation." This theme is more than a banner; it’s a blueprint for action. It guides our programming, fuels our outreach, and anchors our commitment to building the Beloved Community.

Dr. King’s push for health equity in Chicago, tied to his “Direct Action Campaigns,” was articulated in speeches and reports around March 1966 at the Medical Committee for Human Rights (MCHR) convention, where he famously stated, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane,” calling for “massive direct-action” to combat shocking health care inequalities, specifically poor treatment in marginalized and distressed communities stemming from systemic factors, social determinants of health (SDOH), and mistrust. As 2026 begins, key areas of social disadvantages include: income inequality, the digital divide, food insecurity, mental health stigma, impact of social media, climate change impact, poorer health outcomes due to physician shortages, accessible housing crisis and poverty, and significant changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center, encourages people from all professions and backgrounds, particularly those in medical schools, to engage in year-round action rather than just offering “comfortable and convenient” platitudes on MLK Day. The DICE Office calls upon members of the Geisel, Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Health communities to join us as we launch our #MLKFoodisMedicine initiative, which aims to bring to the forefront a multitude of supportive programs and services that bridge the connection between food, nutrition, and health in the Upper Valley throughout 2026. Programs highlighting the importance of food as medicine have been shown to help individuals and families experiencing food insecurity increase access to nutritious foods as well as better manage and decrease chronic and diet-related diseases. Geisel community

members can apply for up to $250 of mini grant funding from the DICE Office to support National Days of Service projects that engage individual and group volunteers in opportunities to address our 2026 Food is Medicine initiative. To learn more, please contact the DICE Office at Geisel.Service.Learning@dartmouth.edu.

The DICE Office will host a trauma-informed immersive Community Action Poverty Simulation (adapted from the Missouri Community Action Network) to help community members understand the realities of everyday people experiencing poverty. The Community Action Poverty Simulation will be followed by several experiential learning opportunities to provide food security education, such as hosting Adriann Begay, MD, Navajo advisor to the UCSF Health, Equity, Action, and Leadership (HEAL) initiative and Ray Begay, MD of the Native Tribal Service (NTS), to teach indigenous food systems to local community partners.

At Geisel, inclusive excellence is a strategic framework that combines academic excellence and inclusiveness to drive innovation, improve outcomes, and solve complex global challenges.

In that spirit, the DICE Office sponsored several initiatives this past year: • L aunching the FreeFoodAlert.com initiative to decrease food waste and address food insecurity. Registered participants are notified about free food on campus and food insecurity resources.

•H osting six former Surgeon Generals to discuss the deteriorating mental health of our youth at the United Nations “Global Mental Health Crisis Symposium.” You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/aSCAvhbP-3g?si=dtO75BxRTPlAprW2 • Hosting a Breast and Prostate Cancer Awareness and Resource Fair in partnership with New Hope Baptist Church of Portsmouth, New Hampshire with fourteen local and statewide community partners.

• Launching the “Beloved Community Talks” to create an environment conducive to open, honest and unapologetic conversations that are civil, bringing people out of their comfort zone to promote understanding in alignment with Dr. King’s values and vision.

•P artnering with the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion at UC San Diego to host “Lead with Compassion” workshops to equip faculty, staff and students with tools to enhance their leadership performance, using proven empathy and compassion principles.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize and thank our program’s supporters, our moderator, and most importantly our keynote speaker Dr. Uché Blackstock and the founding members of the Black Student at Geisel.

Lisa M. McBride, PhD Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

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AGENDA LUNCH Enjoy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite foods

OPENING REMARKS Steven D. Leach, MD Interim Dean Professor of Molecular and Systems Biology, Surgery, and of Medicine Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

WELCOME Lisa McBride, PhD Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Ellesse-Roselee Akré, PhD, MA Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

PRESENTATION OF I AM THE DREAM AWARDS Community Champion Award Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award Distinguished Alumni Award Outstanding Faculty Award Outstanding Staff Award Student of Merit Awards Dartmouth NEXT STEM Award Samuel Ford McGill Award

REFLECTING ON DR. KING’S LEGACY Uché Blackstock, MD Emergency Physician Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity Author of the New York Times bestseller, LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine

FIRESIDE CHAT WITH Q&A

CALL TO ACTION: QUEST FOR HEALTH EQUITY CLOSING REMARKS Lisa McBride, PhD

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MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES

Ellesse-Roselee Akré, PhD, MA Assistant Professor Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University

as well as advanced courses on health systems, leadership and healthcare communication, and coalition building for policy development and advocacy. She is currently developing a course on the effects of legal and policy contexts on people of color and LGBTQ+ populations, social determinants of health, health equity, and public health critical race praxis.

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Ellesse-Roselee Akré, PhD, MA is an interdisciplinary health services researcher and health equity scholar with expertise in understanding and measuring structural racism, sexism, and heterosexism in health care and in health systems, and their causal relationship to access, utilization, and patient experience disparities. Through her scholarship, Akré leverages the intersectionality conceptual framework to quantitatively study how social, demographic, and policy contexts shape health and health care disparities for Black people, people of color, and the LGBTQIA+ older adult communities.

Akré has incorporated older sexual and gender minorities into her research and has also expanded her work to include studies on how social determinants of health during the pandemic have impacted adults and older adults within the LGBTQ+ community, and the role of LGBTQ+ affirming health care on health care access and HIV testing. Akré has demonstrated the differential impacts risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias have on older LGBTQ+ adults based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

She has an extensive record of teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses, including introductory courses on the foundations of public health and research methods,

Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Akré was an assistant professor of health policy and clinical practice at the Geisel School of Medicine. She completed her postdoctoral training in the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University where she studied LGBTQ+ health disparities and aging. Her awards and honors include being inducted into the Lavender Leadership Honor Society in 2019, the first collegiate honor society focusing on leadership for LGBTQ+ social justice, the Delta Omega Honor Society 2020, an honor society for studies in public health and received the Dartmouth College’s E.E. Just Faculty Fellowship Award, an award to support STEM research for early careers tenure track faculty of color in 2022.

Akré was awarded a career development award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a part of the Health Equity Scholar for Action program and is currently funded

by NIH’s National Institute on Aging.

Akré earned a BA in psychology with a minor in Africana studies from San Diego State University, an MA in women’s health from Suffolk University in Boston, and a PhD in health services research from the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health.

In her free time Dr. Akré is an avid cook, a pandemic golfer, and loves spending time with her lovely wife Kimberly, and their two dogs Leo and Theo.

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Uché Blackstock, MD Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity Physician, author and changemaker reimagining the future of health

Dr. Uché Blackstock’s story begins in her mother’s Brooklyn clinic, where medicine meant listening, accountability, and a fierce belief that every neighbor deserved the very best care. Guided by her mother, Dr. Dale Gloria Blackstock, Uché learned that healing is both scientific and deeply human. Years later, she and her twin sister, Dr. Oni Blackstock, walked the halls of Harvard Medical School—becoming the first Black mother-daughter legacy graduates in the school’s history.

After more than 17 years as a Harvard-educated emergency physician, Dr. Blackstock founded Advancing Health Equity, a strategic consulting firm that helps leaders and organizations redesign health

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systems so everyone can thrive. Through strategic advisory, audits and assessments, and culture transformation, she guides partners from good intentions to measurable outcomes.

Dr. Blackstock is the New York Times bestselling author of LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, a memoir that connects her family’s story to the history of American medicine and offers a vision for a more just and humane future of care. Her insights have appeared on MSNBC, NPR, PBS NewsHour, and in The Washington Post, Scientific American, Essence, and STAT News. She was named to the 2024 inaugural TIME100 in Health list and recognized

by Fortune among “13 Innovators Shaping the Future of Health.”

A sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Blackstock has addressed audiences at the United Nations, Aspen Ideas: Health, and leading institutions across the country. Her talks blend data with lived experience— stories from emergency rooms and community clinics, moments of courage and connection, and lessons on how trust, dignity, and accountability can transform care.

This book will be available during the awards luncheon.

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COMMUNIT Y CHAMPION AWARD

Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective Denise Pouliot—Sag8moskwa (Head Female Speaker) Paul Pouliot—Sag8mo (Head Male Speaker/Grand Chief)

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Paul Pouliot is the Sag8mo, or the principal male speaker, for the Cowasuck Bank of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, headquartered in Alton, New Hampshire. His wife and research partner Denise Pouliot is the Sag8moskwa, the principal female speaker for the Band. They are also the corporate officers for the Band’s non-profit organizations: COWASS North America (CNA) and The Abenaki Nation of Vermont. Through CNA, the Pouliots sponsored the founding of the Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective (INHCC), a network of people and organizations researching the precolonial and colonial, natural and cultural history of New Hampshire, with the objective of understanding the state’s history, heritage, and ecology from an Indigenous perspective.

The Pouliots felt the INHCC should bring together— around research—college students and academicians.

With such synergy, the Pouliots help faculty create the Native American and Indigenous Studies minor at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). The Pouliots are highly praised for shaping this academic field.

Historically, the Pouliots were instrumental in creating New Hampshire land acknowledgements, drafting language for state legislation and collaborating with institutions like the UNH and cities like Dover to recognize the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples.

This involved working with lawmakers to propose bills that would formally include a land acknowledgment in the New Hampshire statute for the Pennacook, Abenaki, and Wabanaki peoples as original inhabitants.

“We are grateful that the Pouliots have partnered with Geisel's Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS) to provide the necessary understanding about the Pennacook, Abenaki and Wabanaki peoples cultures and health beliefs. Denise and Paul embody Dr. King’s principles of civil rights, social justice, and activism in addressing poverty, and community engagement. I can think of no other organization more deserving of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Champion Award,” said a nominator.

Denise Pouliot in partnership with JSI Research & Training Institute and Geisel medical students published the “Indigenous Health Needs Report." Such report findings were presented at the American Public Health Association. The key finding was that “As a result of centuries of colonization and government initiatives aimed at weakening the indigenous population in the United States, Indigenous individuals currently experience health disparities in many areas including diabetes, infant mortality, heart disease, cancer and stroke." The Cowasuck Band is a registered nonprofit— COWASS North America—but is not a state or federally recognized tribe. The Pouliots are working to fulfill the rigorous requirements for federal regulation.

To quote a staff nominator: “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a vocal supporter of Native American civil rights and saw their struggles as intertwined with the broader fight for justice and equality. I have no doubt that INHCC under the leadership of Denise and Paul Pouliot, will continue to draw inspiration from Dr. King's vision of a 'Beloved Community' by advancing civil rights for the Pennacook, Abenaki, and Wabanaki people.

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AUGUST 28, 1963 “No American is an outsider when he goes to the community to aid the cause of freedom and justice.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Aaron Briggs, D’15, MED’19 Preventive Medicine Physician California Department of Public Health Researcher

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Aaron Briggs, D’15, MED’19 is a preventive medicine physician in California. Dr. Briggs intends to dedicate his life and career to mitigating health disparity in the United States. He spent his time as an undergraduate at Dartmouth College working to support underserved and vulnerable communities in the Upper Valley in partnership with philanthropic organizations such as WISE (Women’s Information Service, Inc.) and the Upper Valley Haven. As a medical student at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dr. Briggs continued to build on these community relationships—working with the Upper Valley Haven to develop the Beyond the Books program to prepare medical students to become competent, compassionate health care providers to underserved populations and agents for the advancement of health equity within the U.S. During his tenure, Dr. Briggs partnered with LISTEN Community Services to address immediate housing needs in the local community through the Housing Helper Fund.

Following his graduation from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dr. Briggs pursued a General Pediatrics residency with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). While in residency, Philadelphia became consumed by a gun violence epidemic without prior historical precedent. In response to this, he worked to support grassroots gun violence reduction efforts and implemented a gun lock distribution program at his continuity clinic site. Dr. Briggs also forged a partnership between “Farm to Families” and CHOP to address high rates of food insecurity among his clinic patients and helped to lead the 2021-22 SOPT (Society for Public Health Education) National Advocacy Campaign ‘Rx Against Racism.’ During the campaign, he

designed and implemented the CHANGE (Cultivating Healing, Advocacy, Nonviolence, Growth, and Equity) grant, an initiative which resourced and uplifted the efforts of minority physicians and medical students to mitigate disparities in health, improve diversity in medicine, and advance environmental justice.

Learning that a public health approach would be required to effectively address community/ population-level health issues such as gun violence, food insecurity, and health disparity, Dr. Briggs adjusted his training to Preventive Medicine at UC San Diego's (UCSD) General Preventive Medicine Residency Program. Following his graduation, he signed on with the California Department of Public Health’s Black Infant Health (BIH) Program, an initiative which has been working to address disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes among Black Californians by providing health education, fostering social support, promoting empowerment, addressing socioeconomic needs, and connecting participants to prenatal, pediatric, and mental health care.

In his role as a public health research scientist, Dr. Briggs utilizes data to inform BIH’s administration, implementation, development, monitoring, and evaluation while also working to review and enhance clinically relevant aspects of the BIH program.

To quote a nominator: “With humility and hospitality, Dr. Briggs exemplifies the spirit of service espoused

by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His achievements have not only advanced public health but have also strengthened the Geisel and Dartmouth Hitchcock communities by modeling excellence, compassion, and transformative leadership. For these reasons, he stands out as the most deserving candidate for this honor.”

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OUTSTANDING FACULT Y AWARD

Diana M. Rojas-Soto, MD Neurologist, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Assistant Professor of Neurology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Diana M. Rojas-Soto, MD is a board-certified Vascular Neurologist with over 20 years of experience, practicing with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), which was rated as "High Performing" in stroke care in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings. “I believe in helping my patients be active participants in their own health care. This involves thoroughly and compassionately explaining their conditions to them and then listening carefully to their concerns and needs,” said Dr. Rojas-Soto.

Dr. Rojas-Soto received numerous nominations from medical students for this year’s Outstanding Faculty Award. “Dr. Rojas-Soto’s commitment to Project Salud, a mobile clinic that delivers essential healthcare to farm workers and the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) is invaluable to the student’s success and Geisel’s flourishing community. She is fierce, kind, and a compassionate leader. I admire her a lot and believe that she exemplifies Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals through teaching, leadership, and service,” said one student nominator. To quote another student nominator, “Dr. Rojas-Soto has transformed Geisel’s educational environment by inspiring students and colleagues to embrace innovation, compassion, and collaboration, which is evident in her work for the Medical Spanish Pathway of Distinction. Her work is not limited to the

classroom. Instead, it extends into the community, where she has provided unwavering support to initiatives that bridge education and service, ensuring that Geisel’s mission of delivering high-quality, comprehensive programs of study is realized in practice.”

Dr. Rojas-Soto serves as Co-Director of the Medical Spanish Pathway of Distinction a longitudinal, integrated experience within the medical school’s MD curriculum. A student nominator stated, “Dr. Rojas-Soto developed a Medical Spanish pathway that equips students with critical language and cultural skills, directly improving patient care and broadening the scope of Geisel’s curriculum.”

Dr. Rojas-Soto completed her medical school training at El Bosque University (Bogota, Colombia) and her residency and vascular neurology fellowship at State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Center. Prior to her medical school training, Dr. Rojas-Soto worked as the Clinical Director for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), a United Nations regional commission for economic development.

To quote a MD/PhD student nominator: “What sets Dr. Rojas-Soto apart is her ability to unite people with a shared purpose. Whether guiding students through a rigorous Medical Spanish pathway, empowering peers through mentorship, or mobilizing healthcare access for underserved farm workers, she consistently embodies Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s values through compassionate clinical practice, community-centered work, and selfless dedication.”

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OUTSTANDING STAFF AWARD

Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Ajibola Asojo, PhD Associate Director for Inclusive Excellence, Dartmouth Cancer Center Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

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Oluwatoyin (Toyin) Asojo is Associate Director for Inclusive Excellence at the Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC). She chairs DCC’s “triple helix” of Inclusive Excellence, Cancer Research Training and Education (CRTEC), and Community, Outreach, and Engagement (COE). She leads the plan to enhance diversity and ensures that DCC’s commitment to inclusive excellence is integrated across the entire spectrum. Since her arrival at DCC, Dr. Asojo has been instrumental in leading the POWERED (Program for Oncology Workforce Education and Research Experience at Dartmouth) initiative, a two-year training program designed to support underrepresented minority undergraduates in pursuing careers in cancer research. Additionally, she led efforts to establish IMPACT (Individualized Mentorship Program to Accelerate Cancer Training), an initiative that provides stipends and support for post-baccalaureate researchers pursuing careers in cancer science.

To quote a staff nominator: "Dr. Asojo embodies humble strength, silent competence, and selfless duty, focusing on DCC’s mission over personal recognition.”

Her role connects research excellence with broadening participation in STEM, crucial for national recognition and grants for institutions like Dartmouth. Dr. Asojo’s leadership in inclusive excellence strategic initiatives and her scientific background are integral to the DCC’s research excellence and its status as an NCI-designated cancer center, influencing its accreditation and grant success.

Dr. Asojo also serves as faculty advisor for Dartmouth’s chapters of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine and the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS). To quote a student nominator, “As an undergraduate student, I faced many challenges,

but the most significant challenge came from myself. I had to overcome the self-doubt that has been systemically ingrained in me as an African American male pursuing higher education. Having Dr. Asojo as our MAPS Faculty Advisor has allowed me to meet mentors who faced the same challenges, and she provides encouragement and guidance that allowed me to overcome the self-doubt.

This led me to believe I was capable of achieving the goals I had set out to achieve.”

Dr. Asojo serves as Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the Geisel School of Medicine and previously was a tenured Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Hampton University. Dr. Asojo has served as Principal Investigator (PI) of American Cancer Society (ACS), National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and corporate grants and programs that broaden the participation of diverse groups in STEM and biomedical careers. Her research interests include structure-based therapeutics discovery, the chemistry of life processes, and deploying evidence-based interventions to increase recruitment, retention, and persistence in biomedical careers.

Dr. Asojo earned a bachelor’s in chemistry and economics from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas; and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland.

A staff nominator shared, “Dr. Asojo’s educational wealth and capacity to nurture brilliance in young minds is exceptional. She has a legacy of greatness spanning a multitude of diverse industries, institutions and countries. Her yearning to uplift and cultivate the underserved and underprivileged began at a very young age in Nigeria. Her research and dedication have created an ecosystem of young scientists beyond measure from Hampton University to Dartmouth College.”

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STUDENT OF MERIT AWARD

Camilo Castelblanco-Riveros PhD candidate in Integrative Neuroscience

Camilo Castelblanco-Riveros is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Integrative Neuroscience at Dartmouth College, where he studies human cognition and brain aging. As part of the Caroline Robertson Neuroscience Lab at Geisel School of Medicine, Camilo specifically researches how the hippocampus and cortex communicate through mechanisms like sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) for cognitive processes such as memory consolidation and retrieval as part of his research focus on autism.

Under his mentor Krzysztof Bujarski, MD in the Department of Neurology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Camilo’s PhD research focuses on correcting the Global North bias in “normative brain-age” tools by developing brain ageing trajectories in Kenyan cohorts. This will improve diagnostic accuracy and reduces misclassification for African populations. In the summer of 2025, Camilo co-led the Brain Health Research Training Workshop in Nairobi, training Kenyan researchers in cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques and wearable technologies for brain health with an emphasis on shared authorship, local leadership, and sustainable skills transfer. These collaborations have already led to research posters and manuscript preparation by Camilo at Geisel’s Biomedical Research Day and the Neuroscience Day at Dartmouth College. In collaboration with the Aga Khan University (Nairobi),

he has a manuscript in preparation which characterizes brain aging trajectories in Kenyan cohorts. He will proudly represent Geisel School of Medicine at the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, United Kingdom, and the European Academy of Neurology in Geneva, Switzerland in 2026.

Even with a rigorous research agenda, Camilo is a Global Health Fellow at the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth and student volunteer leader at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD) HERO Race which is designed to raise money for vital child and family support services, advanced treatments, and critical care. Additionally, since 2022 Camilo has volunteered with Project Salud, a student-run initiative that brings health care to agricultural employees and served as a house dinner organizer for the Upper Valley Haven, Hixon House Adult Shelter.

Camilo grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and attended undergraduate school in Utah and Missouri. He graduated summa cum laude from Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in biochemistry and Psychology. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and watching soccer and chess.

To quote a faculty nominator: "Camilo exemplifies the spirit of service and compassion that the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student of Merit Award embodies. His tireless efforts and inspirational service make him a deserving recipient. Camilo’s research sits at the intersection of rigorous neuroscience, global health equity, and sustainable capacity-building."

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STUDENT OF MERIT AWARD

Nikolas “Niko” Giovanni Hernandez MD Candidate, Class of 2028

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Nikolas Giovanni Hernandez is a second-year medical student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

Born and raised in a lower-income Cuban household in Miami, Nikolas (hereafter referred to as “Niko”) grew up watching his mother, a single parent, become the first in his family to graduate from college, an experience that shaped his belief in education as a path forward and continues to drive his work today. As a bilingual Latino student, his early experiences and challenges ground his commitment to equity, belonging, and community.

Inspired by his mother’s career as a high school math teacher, he has developed a strong passion for teaching, reflected in the many educational and mentorship roles he has taken on.

Throughout his time at Geisel, Niko has demonstrated remarkable dedication to fostering belonging and community while building meaningful connections across multiple student groups. As LMSA Co-Lead, for instance, he has played a central role in organizing major social and cultural events, including the Geisel Latine Caribbean Heritage Month and Cultural Exchange Night, each attended by over 50 students and faculty. A student nominated stated, “Niko is the most deserving candidate for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student of Merit Award because of his consistent dedication to fostering inclusivity, his leadership in building community among peers, and his tangible efforts to support underrepresented students. Niko’s embodies the spirit of service and unity that Dr. King Jr. championed.”

As Co-Leader of the PrideMD Student Interest Group, Niko has strengthened visibility and support for LGBTQ+ students, allies, and future healthcare

professionals by organizing peer connections and panel discussions. Additionally, as DICE Class of 2028 Co-Lead, Niko spearheaded the creation of the Geisel Affinity Group Mentorship Program, pairing 13 first-year students with upperclassmen across multiple affinity groups. This initiative reflects his vision for structured peer mentorship and cross-cultural support.

In academics, Niko Co-Leads the Dermatology Ethics & Health Equity elective, teaching six first-year students about sensitive equity issues in dermatology, including LGBTQ+ care, the history of racism in the field, and trans-inclusive practices. “Through this elective, Niko has shaped his peers’ understanding of health equity and ethical care. His commitment extends beyond formal leadership roles. Niko won the Learning Collaboratives Logo Contest, designing logos that strengthen community identity and engagement across Geisel,” stated a staff nominator. As a SPOTS (Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students) Co-Lead, Niko takes pride in teaching sun protection and skin cancer prevention to three middle school classes and one high school class. In partnership with the Skin of Color Society, Niko spearheaded the “My Best Winter Skin” campaign, signing up to distribute 50 educational kits to the LISTEN Community.

To quote a student nominator: “Inspired by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service, I have no doubt that Niko will continue to use his platform as a future medical professional to address health care disparities and advocate for patient-centered care. At Geisel, he has committed himself to 'making a difference.'"

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DARTMOUTH NEXT STEM AWARD

Michael K. Simoni, D’08, MD Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Physician

Dr. Michael Simoni always knew he would be a doctor.

An only child to a single mother working graveyard shifts, Dr. Simoni had a lot of time—and freedom—to pursue his interests, The Haitian-Italian from South Florida, knew his strengths were science and math.

In high school, he received a push from a high school biology teacher to become a tutor, which further solidified his interest in STEM. These topics informed his career pursuit, which he initially envisioned in the fields of psychiatry or neurosurgery.

Dr. Simoni went on to graduate from Dartmouth College with a bachelor’s degree before completing medical school training at Harvard Medical School, his OB/GYN residency at the Yale School of Medicine and his Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship and Masters of Translational Research at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. This is considered one of the strongest research-oriented infertility practices in the country.

Currently, Dr. Simoni is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) of New Jersey. His responsibilities include evaluating patients with ultrasounds and blood work, performing morning surgeries for egg retrievals, and conducting minor gynecologic procedures such as polyp removals. He also researches pregnancy loss, miscarriages, and health disparities as they relate to diagnosis, treatment, reproductive care, reproductive immunology, and insurance.

Dr. Simoni’s other passions include his work with artificial intelligence (AI) and Healthcare. He recently was a keynote speaker at Afrotech the world’s largest Black technology conference. Dr. Simoni focused on how artificial intelligence in fertility medicine helps identify patterns in complex data (like embryo development or patient cycles) to improve outcomes and reduce burnout, while also highlighting the critical need for diverse data to avoid bias and ensure equitable care for all communities, especially Black women.

Given his early interest in psychology and how the brain works, Dr. Simoni has devoted his time and energy to understanding the mental and emotional aspects a family goes through during pregnancy as well as during struggles with infertility. “I have great empathy for my patients,” said Dr. Simoni. “Mostly it’s an uplifting area of medicine, but of course there are depressing moments, because everything can’t be perfect all the time. Part of the work I do at RMA of New Jersey is to help people through the tough times and then celebrate with them when we’re able to help them through to the other side.”

To quote a nominator: “Dr. Simoni’s forward-thinking approach not only positions him at the forefront of reproductive medicine but also sets an inspiring example for future healthcare professionals. He truly embodies the future of medicine, reflecting the dreams of those who came before him and inspiring generations to come. Through his work, he continues to pave the way for an inclusive and equitable healthcare landscape, embodying the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dr. Samuel F. McGill, Class of 1839 as he dreams of a brighter, healthier future for all.”

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DARTMOUTH NEXT STEM AWARD

Alicia Cage Dartmouth Student, Class of 2026

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Alicia Cage, a second-generation Jamaican immigrant, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is a first-generation low-income senior at Dartmouth College studying Biochemistry and Latino & Caribbean Studies on the pre-medical track. Alicia is a proud member of the Pi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.—the northern most collegiate chapter in the Eastern Region.

Through her work with the chapter, Alicia helped organize the first-ever sickle cell awareness blood drive in Northern New England, where over 50% of donors were Black, addressing critical health disparities in the region.

To quote a staff nominator: “Alicia is the epitome of undergraduate research and leadership excellence.

She recently charted the Dartmouth College Section of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine and the National Pan-Hellenic Council as President. She is also recognized as the Bethune-Height Changemaker Pathways (BHCP) Raising Changemaker and Health Equity Advocate. The BHCP program is a national initiative by the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). In addition, Alicia has multiple recognitions as a Global Health Intern with the John Sloan Dickey Center’s Pathways to Medicine Program.”

At Dartmouth College, Alicia proudly serves as the Chartering President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), where she expanded programming by 85% and cultivated strategic partnerships to deepen communal impact. Under her leadership, the NPHC has hosted advocacy panels, healing spaces, and inaugural cross-cultural events—strengthening community ties.

Alicia also serves as the Chartering President of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine at

Dartmouth to create an empowering space for Black women to explore medical specialties and overcome the barriers to enter these fields. Under her leadership, she has inducted 16 members, created partnerships with alumni, senior administration, and campus organizations to boost the visibility of the organization, and has held culturally sensitive programming to empower young black women at Dartmouth with the opportunities and resources to pursue healthcare research and education.

Alicia has also served as an executive member of the Student and Presidential Committee on Sexual Assault where she has worked to create a safer campus and increase the representation of minorities in policy-making spaces around sexual violence through the “Intersectionality Project” she founded. Through this project, Alicia worked to close the gap in knowledge and access to resources around sexual violence within the Black community at her school. Her goal was to foster a safer campus environment where students felt empowered to access support, engaged in prevention efforts, and had a meaningful voice in shaping the policies that affect them. Alicia now serves as a trained Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line, providing crucial support to individuals in distress across the country.

“Alicia is a remarkable member of the Dartmouth College Class of 2026. She stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration within the realms of healthcare, education and research. A testament to resilience, perseverance, and tenacity, Alicia’s journey has been a continuous pursuit of personal and professional growth, said one Dartmouth NEXT STEM nominator.

Another nominator indicated that “Alicia embodies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s values through leadership, service and commitment to Dartmouth. A biochemistry major who wants a career in medicine. She has a heart for service to others, whether that is at Dartmouth or the greater Upper Valley.”

2026 I AM THE DREAM

SAMUEL FORD MCGILL AWARD

Black Students at Geisel Samuel Ford McGill Award Recipients In 1839, Dr. McGill was the first Black graduate from Dartmouth's medical school and the first Black graduate of any U.S. medical school. This rich history reminds us of the bright future we envision for our institution. This lounge is a tangible commitment to historically underrepresented medical students to ensure we create and sustain a radically inclusive community at Geisel.

Special acknowledgment and thanks go to the Black Students at Geisel group for advocating for the creation of this space for the underrepresented students in medicine and being committed to improving representation in the Geisel community.

Kristina Ali, MED'24 Chad Lewis, MED'21 Shuaibu Ali, MED'21 Pauline Mochama, MED'28 Ikechukwu Amakiri, MED '21, TU'21

Samuel Ford McGill graduated from Dartmouth Medical School in 1839 at the age of 26 years, making him the first person of African descent to receive a medical degree from a United States (U.S.) institution.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. McGill faced obstacles studying in the U.S. but eventually completed his degree. Son of formerly enslaved parents, he returned to Liberia after his studies to become a physician, businessman, and Governor of Maryland in Liberia.

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement (DICE) proudly unveiled the Samuel Ford McGill Lounge, a lasting tribute to Dr. McGill’s extraordinary career in the Remsen Medical Sciences Building, room 332, on October 31, 2022. The dedication ceremony brought together faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the Black Students at Geisel (BSG) to celebrate his profound contributions to medicine and business.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by members the BSG who reflected on Dr. McGill’s legacy and the indelible impact he made on them historically underrepresented medical students who yearn to create and sustain a radically inclusive community at Geisel.

The BSG was a student group at Geisel focused on fostering community, increasing retention, providing mentorship, supporting Black medical students, and

Marilyn Ndukwe, MED'23 Fred Burton, MED'22 Meave Otieno, MED'24 Oluchukwu Dele-Oni, MED'25 Isabelle Tarsio, MED'23

Falen Demsas, MED'22 Kenneth Williams, MED'21 Asia Gandy, MED'22 Trenika Williams, MED'21 Ifeoma Kamalu, MED'24

serving as catalysts for campus change. A special plaque was dedicated to the founding members honoring their history and impact on creating belonging and advocating for Black students’ needs.

BSG are celebrated and praised for building support systems, hosting cultural events, and driving important discussions on inclusivity in medical education.

BSG received numerous nominations from medical students and staff for this year’s 2026 Samuel Ford McGill Award. “BSG have made a positive impact on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions. The founding members were dedicated to creating spaces that fostered academic/social growth and sustainability. As a current Geisel medical student, I applaud BSG for working tirelessly to strive for community building.” Another student nominator stated, “I want to express gratitude and appreciation to BSG who’s dedicated efforts to connect students and administrators and improve Geisel’s shared environment.

Their work today is seen as essential to see everyone’s shared humanity beyond differences, aligning with Dr. Samuel Ford McGill’s values.”

To quote a nominator: “BSG exemplifies the core values the Samuel Ford McGill award seeks to honor—selfless service, distinguished professionalism, and a deep commitment to the Geisel community.

The founding members didn’t merely identify problems; they acted, empowering others to take part in solutions. BSG’s actions reflect Dr. McGill’s enduring call to serve others and their contributions extend well beyond the Dartmouth community.”

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2026 I AM THE DREAM

REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

Excerpt from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. And this will be the day—this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing, 14

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

“Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

2026 I AM THE DREAM

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LEGACY AWARD

Dean R. Madden, PhD Vice Provost for Research Director, Dartmouth Institute for Biomolecular Targeting Director, DartCF Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Research Center Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Dr. Dean Madden’s academic journey began with a humble summer “bootcamp” where he taught mathematics to Master of Public Policy (MPP) students. He has since taught math, biochemistry, and biophysics in Munich, Heidelberg, Cambridge, and Hanover. Dr. Madden served as Chair of the Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB) Graduate Program and has participated in Dartmouth’s Strategic Planning for Graduate Education and the Geisel Curriculum Reform initiative, where he served as Co-Chair of the Biomedical Sciences Working Group and a member of the master’s degree Task Force.

Dr. Madden currently serves as Vice Provost for Research and Professor of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, and he directs the Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Research Center and the Dartmouth Institute for Biomolecular Targeting (bioMT). He led Dartmouth’s return to Carnegie R1 research status and founded its GrantGPS faculty research development initiative.

Dr. Madden is widely recognized as a dedicated mentor at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Dartmouth College. He has received a faculty mentor award and proudly plays a central role in formal mentoring programs. His dedication to inclusive education is further reflected in his mentoring of early-career faculty interested in interdisciplinary teaching and research. Dr. Madden oversees mentoring within the COBRE Institute for bioMT, guiding junior

faculty in developing their scholarly pursuits while prioritizing collaboration across various fields, including medicine, biology, chemistry, and mathematics.

Dr. Madden received numerous nominations from his colleagues for this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award. “Dr. Madden supervises and provides direct support for three amazing community building programs on campus. He has advocated and led the foundation for the STEM based Dartmouth NEXT initiative, the trailblazing and inclusive E.E Just Program as well as the illuminating Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life. All these programs provide a tremendous opportunity to curate and provide greater accessibility to the Dartmouth academic landscape. Dr. Madden is a visionary leader whose career exemplifies the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so passionately championed: a commitment to unity and understanding across diverse cultures and backgrounds.”

Students commend Dr. Madden for encouraging their colleagues to use the skills they have learned at Geisel “to serve the world.” He is keenly aware of the value of sharing ideas and experiences. Dr. Madden goes “above and beyond” to foster learning and support students in his lab.

Dr. Madden received his PhD in Biophysics from Harvard in 1992, for work on the structural basis of peptide antigen presentation by class I MHC molecules. As a post-doctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg, Germany, he pursued biophysical studies on the mechanisms of ligand gating in ionotropic glutamate receptors.

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2026 I AM THE DREAM

ABOUT THE AWARDS Award winners were selected by a panel of judges representing all academic programs at Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) based on their extraordinary impact—going above and beyond the scope of their job or role as medical student.

Information about each award category, along with Award Finalists, is listed below.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LEGACY AWARD 1. D emonstrates an appreciation for diversity and

Finalists Oluwatoyin A. Asojo, PhD Sarah C. Crockett, MD Stefanie Itumba, MPH Student Chad Markey, M4 Adrianna J. Milton, PhD

2. Dedicated themselves not only to the Geisel/DHMC

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 1. D emonstrates community outreach and

inclusion by building or maintaining harmonious cross-cultural relationships. The recipient’s achievements must foster Dr. King’s vision of unity among people of diverse cultural backgrounds. community and the greater New England healthcare community, but to leadership and educational development.

3. S uccess in personal and/or professional life.

4. I mpact their achievements have had on others (especially with medical students)

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5. A dditional initiatives and success

(i.e. what sets them apart from others) in: • Academic Medicine/Graduate Medical Education • Leadership Qualities

Finalists Alicia Battle, PhD, MCHES, MS Nikolas Giovanni Hernandez, M2 Diana Rojas-Soto, MD Brian Galaviz Sarmiento, BS Ariana Stephens, M2

SAMUEL FORD MCGILL, MD CLASS 0F 1839 AWARD 1. G ives their time and service freely to those in need without

question and often without recognition. This award honors quiet soldiers who promote the welfare of humanity and elimination of pain and suffering through their own selfless service, independent of associations and organizations.

2. Demonstrate promise for contributing to wider academic, professional, or civic communities.

3. D emonstrate the ability to build safer communities

through various activities and programs that help to revitalize areas and serves the community beyond his or her regular job responsibilities.

4. Impact their achievements have had on others

(especially with medical students, residents and to the greater Upper Valley community).

5. A dditional initiatives and success

(i.e., what sets them apart from others) in: • Leadership Qualities

educational programs for an under-served population in the state. Such services must increase the accessibility of health care for the under-served while providing a high quality of customer service. Critical issues in achieving health equity and awareness include provisions for drug treatment, HIV testing, health screenings, prenatal care, pediatric care, and prescription programs for the uninsured/underinsured.

2. Success in personal and / or professional life 3. D emonstrated best practices, resulting in

significance improvements in patient-centered care, healthcare outcomes, clinical care management, curriculum delivery student success or institutional quality improvement.

4. Impact their achievements have had on others

(especially with medical students, clinical setting, in the greater Upper Valley community and especially within the Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medicine Center communities).

5. A dditional initiatives and success

(i.e., what sets them apart from others) in: • Alumni Relations and Development Involvement • Leadership Qualities

Finalists Daniel Lucey, MD, MPH, FIDSA

OUTSTANDING FACULTY/STAFF AWARD 1. Demonstrates exemplary administrative

performance at Geisel in a service capacity to assist the College in reaching its educational goals to focus on presenting high-quality, comprehensive programs of study.

2. Dedicated themselves not only to the Geisel Academic community, but have gone above and beyond in their teaching, technology implementation, operational and

process improvements which require the formation of collaborative teams, development of curriculum, and ways to assess student success.

3. Serves as an inspirational voice encouraging new

Finalists Rym El-Mahil, MD Candidate Danielle Kapi’olani Larin, MS, Implementation Science Student Praburaman Mohan, BSc, MBA, MPH Student Godwin Peash-Darkwah, PhD Candidate Brian Galaviz Sarmiento, BS, PhD Candidate

4. Impact their achievements have had on others

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD 1. Demonstrates a commitment to addressing

educational approaches and a committed supporter of educators and education here at Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and within the greater Upper Valley community. (especially with medical students, residents, and members of the Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center communities as well as within community organization).

5. Additional initiatives and success

(i.e., what sets them apart from others) in: • Student Mentorship and Development • Leadership Qualities

Finalists (faculty) Alicia Battle, PhD, MCHES, MS Dean Madden, PhD Finalists (staff) Eleanor Chandlee Bryan, MEd Seth Chambers

STUDENT OF MERIT AWARD 1. D emonstrates a commitment and example that both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dr. Samuel F. McGill provided for academic achievement. Therefore, the recipient has demonstrated a personal commitment to scholarship and/ or attainment of educational goals despite significant barriers or obstacles.

The recipient also has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in eradicating systemic barriers that impede the attainment of academic excellence (within their class at Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center or within the community in health care related programs).

2. Has maintained good academic standing, a

commitment to Health Care Education, and has outstanding personal qualities.

food insecurity within the local or global community. They excel in inspiring and involving others in eradicating food insecurity and poverty while comprehensively teaching them about in the community.

3. A n individual or team whose research has

made substantial advancements in how foods can be manufactured and made available to meet the nutritional needs and food preferences of people living in emerging economies in a manner that is cost-effective for both consumers and manufacturers.

4. S erves as a role model within the community.

Finalists Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley

DARTMOUTH NEXT STEM AWARD 1. Exemplifies the dedication and spirit of both

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. Samuel F. McGill in pursuit of academic excellence.

2. Honors an individual who has not only overcome

significant barriers to achieve their educational goals but has also shown exceptional leadership in advocating and advancing healthcare education and research within Dartmouth and the broader community.

3. Maintains commendable academic standing while demonstrating a steadfast commitment to health care education and research.

4. Embodies the qualities of tenacity, empathy, and

3. D emonstrate promise for contributing to wider academic, professional, or civic communities.

equity mindedness, while illustrating their potential to make impactful contributions to academic, professional, and civic communities.

4. I mpact their achievements have had on others

5. Achievements that have positively influenced their

(especially with their classmates, in greater Upper Valley community and especially within the Geisel School of Medicine or Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center communities).

5. A dditional initiatives and success

(i.e., what sets them apart from others) in: • Student Mentorship • Leadership Qualities

colleagues and the greater Dartmouth community, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared success in health care initiatives.

Finalists Chiamaka Agail, MPH Student Camilo Castelblanco, PhD Candidate Godwin Peash-Darkwah, PhD Candidate Kiran Ganga, M2

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2026 I AM THE DREAM

Geisel Receives Prestigious Insight Into Academia Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine has received the 2025 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, an influential publication that covers issues and trends in American higher education.

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“Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

Lenore Pearlstein co-publisher Insight Into Academia

As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award—a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community-building across all levels of campus life. Geisel will be featured, along with 28 other recipients, in the October 2025 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.

Geisel is one of only 8 medical schools and the only Ivy League institutions to receive this honor. For the third consecutive year, Geisel has been named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.

Insight Into Academia also recognized Geisel School of Medicine with the Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Champion award for exemplify an unyielding commitment to higher education excellence and belonging throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels. A limited number of colleges and universities across the nation have been selected for this honor.

The honor signifies that the School of Medicine ranks in the top tier of HEED Award recipients and that as an organization it has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to and ongoing promotion of community partnerships and the fostering of an environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.

“We take a detailed and somewhat holistic approach to reviewing each application in determining who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia magazine. “Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

DARTMOUTH NEXT MLK AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dr. Ansley Booker Executive Director DARTMOUTH NEXT PROGRAM DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

2026 I AM THE DREAM

ADVANCING SCIENCE RESEARCH | TECHNOLOGY | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

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2026 I AM THE DREAM

SPECIAL THANKS

Annette Achilles | Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Jay Beaudoin | Senior Media Producer Ansley Booker, PhD | Executive Director, Dartmouth NEXT Dartmouth-Hitchcock Video Conferencing Services Mayra Guardiola | Senior Program Coordinator, DICE Office Derik Hertel | Director of Communications and Marketing Tina Hoisington | Events Coordinator Steve Leach, MD | Interim Dean of Geisel School of Medicine Libby LeBlanc | Graphic Designer @ issuu.com/LoudMouseDesign Mae Leonard | Director of Alumni Relations Robert C. Strong II | Photographer Jerome Wilcox | Director, Inclusive Excellence Smokeshow Barbeque 20

2026 MLK Nominating Committee Members

As we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we within the Geisel School of Medicine/Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center community reflect on Dr. King's powerful legacy and his vision for a world free of inequality and, by extension, hunger. Dr. King understood that food equity was a critical component of social justice.

Dr. King once said, "Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land,

in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how to provide all mankind with the basic necessities of life?"

His question resonates today, as we tackle food insecurity in our communities.

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Office of the Dean Geisel School of Medicine 1 Rope Ferry Road Hanover, NH 03755