Geisel School of Medicine Welcomes Jennifer Hunt as First Woman Dean in 229-Year History
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Jennifer Hunt officially begins her tenure as dean of Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, becoming the first woman to lead the institution in its 229-year history.
Hunt joins from the University of Florida College of Medicine, bringing decades of experience as an internationally recognized pathologist and physician-scientist with over 160 peer-reviewed publications.
On her first days, Hunt welcomed incoming MD and MPH students, emphasizing the importance of entering health sciences at a crucial time for the nation's healthcare system.
Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine (search) marked a historic milestone this week as Jennifer Hunt officially began her tenure as dean, becoming the first woman to lead the school in its 229-year history. Hunt, an internationally recognized pathologist and physician-scientist, joins Geisel from the University of Florida College of Medicine, where she served as interim dean and held the Folke H. Peterson Dean's Distinguished Professorship.
Hunt began connecting with the Geisel community even before her official August 3 start date. On July 27, the first day of orientation, she welcomed the incoming Class of 2030 MD students to campus, marking the start of their medical education. On her first official day in the office, she welcomed the medical school's new Master of Public Health students and also greeted second-year medical students returning to campus for the homestretch of their pre-clinical training.
"I am honored and excited to begin this new chapter as dean of Geisel," Hunt said. "Meeting our incoming MD and MPH students during orientation was an ideal way to start. Their energy and enthusiasm reminded me, yet again, what drew me to this role -- and indeed, what makes Geisel…Geisel -- and I can't wait to grow alongside them and the rest of this special community."
Hunt also articulated her vision for the institution's foundation, stating, "Geisel is a community built on excellence and collaboration, and I'm excited for the opportunity to contribute to that tradition and build on it together."
A Distinguished Career in Academic Medicine
Hunt brings decades of experience in academic medicine to her new role. A head-and-neck and molecular pathologist, she has authored more than 160 peer-reviewed scientific publications in her subspecialty. She has served in elected roles on boards of directors and in leadership positions for organizations including the College of American Pathologists, the Association for Molecular Pathologists, and the Association for Academic Pathology.
Beyond her clinical and research background, Hunt is a certified executive coach through the International Coach Federation, with experience in leadership development in health care settings. She earned her MD and MEd from the University of Pennsylvania, where she completed a residency in anatomic pathology and a fellowship in molecular genetic pathology. As an undergraduate, she studied chemistry and French at Bryn Mawr College.
Her previous academic and leadership appointments include roles at the University of Pittsburgh, the Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. At the University of Arkansas, she served for nearly a decade as the Aubrey J. Hough Endowed Professor and chair of pathology, and held positions as chief of staff, chair of the credentials committee, and chair of the professionalism committee.
Building on Institutional Momentum
Hunt succeeds Steven Leach, the former director of the Dartmouth Cancer Center (search), who had served as interim dean since September 2025. During his annual State of the Medical School address on June 3, Leach described Geisel as "strong and thriving," reflecting on a year of transition and the deep connections forged with the Geisel community.
"Dean Hunt arrives with curiosity, energy, expertise, experience, and a deep commitment to our mission," Leach said. "I am proud to pass the baton to such a talented leader, and I know she will guide Geisel to new heights."
Under Leach's interim leadership, Geisel maintained a $100 million sponsored research portfolio despite federal funding headwinds. The school accounts for 75% of Dartmouth's NIH funding and leads among Ivy Plus schools in rural health research. Notable grants included a $12 million implementation science grant and a $13 million NIDA grant for digital teen substance-use tools.
The school also achieved significant fundraising milestones, including a $5 million gift from Patty and Doug Sacks D'80 to support early career faculty and the successful completion of a $50 million fundraising goal for the Dartmouth Cancer Center (search). With a first-year class size of 96 students, Geisel enrolled 403 medical students and 214 students in health sciences programs, including two new MS degree programs launched during the year.
Hunt noted she is looking forward to getting to know the Geisel community and building on the school's long history of innovation and excellence. She specifically cited leadership in rural health research and clinical practice through Geisel's close partnership with Dartmouth Health (search) and its network of regional hospitals, clinics, and home health services that care for patients across northern New England and surrounding areas.