Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Cohort includes 162 incoming medical students.
- Students can pursue a four-year M.D. program or an accelerated three-year track.
- The school selected the cohort from nearly 6,500 applicants. About 66% are New Jersey residents.
- The students collectively speak 27 languages beyond English.
- The curriculum includes community-based learning, clinical experience, research and graduate study options.
AI generated.
The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine has officially welcomed the latest cohort of promising medical students at its White Coat Ceremony, held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark yesterday.
The 162 incoming students making up the 2026 Cohort, put on the white coat symbolizing their journey toward their medical degrees (M.D.s) which they will work toward over the next four years, or an accelerated three-year track.
"This medical school was founded to address New Jersey's physician shortage," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "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."
“This is an extremely talented group, and we are excited to bring them into the fold,” added Jeffrey Boscamp, M.D., president and dean of the School. “It’s especially gratifying to see how many New Jersey residents are staying in the state to become doctors.”
The cohort was selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 6,500 applicants. Nearly two-thirds — 65.6 percent—of the incoming students are New Jersey residents. The cohort reflects a wide range of backgrounds, with students collectively speaking 27 languages beyond English.
Since welcoming its inaugural cohort of 60 students in 2018, HMSOM has steadily grown in numbers and in accomplishments. Last month the largest-to-date class of 168 doctors graduated. The institution has now trained more than 500 doctors.
Students at HMSOM benefit from a unique curriculum that includes the option for a fourth year focused on graduate study, immersive clinical experience, or research. A cornerstone of the program is the Human Dimension course, a longitudinal experience that connects students with families in the community—offering hands-on, real-world insight into healthcare beyond the hospital setting.