168 graduates begin careers after completing degrees, newest N.J. medical school has now trained more than 500 exceptional doctors
One-hundred sixty-eight students from the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) have received their medical degrees, and will now start their careers healing those in need in New Jersey - and beyond.
The medical students came from the 2022 cohort of the medical school (129 students) who graduated after four years; and the 2023 cohort (39 students), who completed their education in an accelerated three years.
The commencement’s keynote was delivered by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who was sworn into office on Jan. 20 at the very same place where the HMSOM commencement was held: the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
“We are honored to be joined by Gov. Sherrill as we celebrate new doctors launching their residencies, including many who will practice in our great state,’’ said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “This helps us fulfill our mission to strengthen the physician pipeline and transform medical education so that the next generation of doctors focuses on maintaining health as much as curing illness. We could not be more proud of our graduates.’’
“Our graduates are well suited to thrive in a new state of healthcare and will have an extraordinary impact on countless lives,’’ said Jeffrey Boscamp, M.D., dean and president of the School. “While they will practice in an era of groundbreaking technology, they will never forget the humanity they will share with their patients.’’
Fifty-one percent of the Class of 2026 (84 students) will train in New Jersey for the first year of residency. Of these, 65 students matched into a Hackensack Meridian Health program. Other states where students matched for residency include New York (40 students) and California (seven), Massachusetts (six), among 21 states total.
The specialties the students matched into include: Internal Medicine (43); Psychiatry (16); Pediatrics (15); Family Medicine (14); Anesthesiology (11); Emergency Medicine (10); and Obstetrics and Gynecology (10), among other residencies.
The new group of graduates brings the total of new doctors trained by this newest medical school in New Jersey to a total of 572.