The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) officially welcomed its ninth cohort of incoming medical students during a White Coat Ceremony held yesterday at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
The event marked the official beginning of the journey for 162 future physicians who will pursue their M.D. degrees over a standard four-year timeline or an accelerated three-year track. Selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 6,500 applicants, the new class embodies a diverse range of backgrounds, with students collectively speaking 27 languages in addition to English.
University and health network leaders emphasized the crucial role the institution plays in addressing regional medical demands.
“This medical school was founded to address New Jersey’s physician shortage,” Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, said. “Since 2018, we have trained more than 500 doctors, and last month we graduated our largest class yet. With nearly two-thirds of this incoming cohort from right here in New Jersey, we are keeping top medical talent in-state and ensuring our communities have easily accessible care for decades to come.”
Nearly 65.6 percent of the incoming students are New Jersey residents. Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, president and dean of the school, expressed excitement over the caliber and local commitment of the new arrivals, noting, “This is an extremely talented group, and we are excited to bring them into the fold… It’s especially gratifying to see how many New Jersey residents are staying in the state to become doctors.”
Since welcoming its inaugural class of 60 students in 2018 on its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton, HMSOM has experienced steady growth. The institution achieved full accreditation in February 2023 and has now trained more than 500 doctors, including a landmark class of 168 graduates last month.
Students at HMSOM experience a distinctive curriculum centered on blending basic science with clinical relevance, team collaboration, and a core focus on community outreach:
- The Human Dimension Course: A longitudinal program connecting students directly with local families to provide real-world insights into healthcare beyond traditional hospital settings.
- Flexible Advanced Study: Students are offered the option to tailor their fourth year toward graduate studies, intensive clinical experiences, or academic research.
