New England Rural Healthcare Association Hosts Rural Health Student Summit at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
NERHA Marks Record-Breaking Student Summit
Lebanon, NH – September 6, 2025 – The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) welcomed students from across New England today for the 2025 Rural Health Student Summit, held at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. The annual summit convenes students and emerging health professionals to explore the opportunities and challenges of working in rural communities, while connecting with leaders and organizations that support careers in rural health.
The summit welcomed 125 students representing every New England state, the summit’s largest turnout to date, including students from fifteen different colleges and universities throughout the region. Summit participants include future physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other health professionals committed to careers in rural practice.
The day-long program features keynote remarks from renowned rural health experts and policymakers, expert panels, and interactive breakout sessions, all designed to prepare students for future service in rural healthcare.
Highlights include:
“Living & Working in Rural Communities” Panel featuring health professionals from across New England, moderated by Jeffrey Waldron, MS, PA-C, Director, Franklin Pierce University Physician Assistant program.
Breakout Sessions on career advancement, patient communication strategies, rural community life, and genetic conditions.
The kick-off of the Rural Health Leadership Institute, a collaborative effort with the New England Public Health Training Center to train the next generation of rural health leaders.
Loan Repayment & Career Resources, including the National Health Service Corps, state loan repayment programs, and Area Health Education Centers.
Networking Opportunities with peers and mentors during the Resource Fair.
Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, the Student Summit's keynote speaker, praised the program’s role in building a stronger rural health workforce: “I look at what you do, and it is simple, profound, and deeply human: you are delivering care—care to people in all the different ways they need it, when they need it, and where they need it. Thank you to the New England Rural Health Association for hosting this wonderful summit. Ensuring that nurses themselves have access to the care they need to stay healthy is essential, because only then can they do their jobs. That also means building a strong pipeline of students. You are the future of this profession, and this is where the ballgame begins.”
Dr. Sonia Nagy Chimienti, Dean for Educational Affairs at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, added: “The Rural Health Student Summit is a remarkable opportunity for our students and trainees to engage directly with practitioners serving rural communities. This experience not only strengthens their education, but it also fosters a lifelong commitment to service.”
“This summit is about investing in the next generation of rural health leaders,” said Andy Lowe, Executive Director of NERHA. “Students leave this event with practical tools, stronger networks, and a clearer vision of how they can make an impact in their communities. NERHA also extends its sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Goodlander for her leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing rural health and supporting student learning, and to Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for providing us the resources needed to reach all these students.”
Why It Matters
Rural communities across New England face critical challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare providers. By exposing students to the rewards and realities of rural practice and connecting them with loan repayment options and professional mentors, the summit builds a stronger, more resilient workforce pipeline.
The summit also showcases Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine as leaders in preparing health professionals for careers of service in rural and underserved areas.
About New England Rural Health Association:
The New England Rural Health Association has worked to improve health and wellness in rural New England since 1997. Serving over 550 members across six states, NERHA builds partnerships and programs that expand and strengthen workforce, promote access, and foster sustainability in rural health.
For Media Inquiries:
Andy Lowe
Executive Director, New England Rural Health Association
andy@newenglandrha.org
802-324-9282
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