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 last week.
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%—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.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Hackensack Meridian Health assumed its independent operation in July 2020. The school achieved full accreditation in February 2023. The school’s vision is that each person in New Jersey, and in the United States, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, will enjoy the highest levels of wellness in an economically and behaviorally sustainable fashion. The School’s unique curriculum focuses on linking the basic science with clinical relevance, through an integrated curriculum in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. The school prides itself on outreach, through programs like the Human Dimension, which is active in communities across New Jersey.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
Hackensack Meridian Health brings together leading‑edge care, research, and medical education to deliver the best outcomes, and care shaped around the unique needs of every patient we serve. By connecting prevention, specialty care, and life-saving discoveries, we improve every aspect of healthcare – from routine visits to the most advanced treatments, close to home and across the globe.
Home to New Jersey’s first and only top 20 hospital in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report 2025-26, we ensure people can count on exceptional care today and benefit from the cures of tomorrow. Our not-for-profit network of 18 hospitals, 500+ care locations, and over 40,000 team members extend the horizon of health for all. And because medicine is never finished, we Keep Getting Better for every patient, family, and community who counts on us. Learn more at HackensackMeridianHealth.org and to donate visit GiveHMH.org.
