I would agree with what everyone else has been posting here. I think deciding to come to Dartmouth is really going to come down to whether or not you can see yourself living in the area for 3+ years and possibly putting down some roots in the Upper Valley. Like other people have said, if you're an outdoorsy type, there's tons to do here. The Upper Valley is really one of the most beautiful places during summer and fall, and lots of hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, running opportunities during these seasons. During the winter and early spring, everyone downhill or cross-country skies, snow shoeing, ice skating on frozen ponds, etc.
As far as Hem/Onc and Cardiology fellowship match goes, I don't know any residents who are/were interested in going into those fellowships who haven't been successful in matching. I've only ever worked with the Hem/Onc attendings over at the VA, so I can't really give any insight into Hem/Onc at DHMC, but the Norris Cotton Cancer Center is relatively well known and respected and does have a lot of big name attendings. Research opportunities are also pretty plentiful, and there definitely is time during residency to work on reasearch (especially as a senior) ... I worked with a couple of residents going into hem/onc who were actively doing research even during wards months.
For cardiology, I know a little bit more about this. I've done cardiac consult and CHF electives at DHMC, and all the faculty I've worked with have been amazing. Some standouts in terms of teaching include Dr. Kono, Dr. James, and Dr. O'Rourke. Again, I worked with quite a few residents who were interested in cardiology, and it didn't seem like any of them had trouble finding faculty mentors and getting into research. I also haven't heard of any residents not matching into cards even though they wanted to.
In general, DHMC is a pretty happy place. As already mentioned above, the hospital is absolutely beautiful, and if physical environment is important to you, this is probably one of the best as far as academic medical centers go. In general, the ancillary services are great at DHMC, and the nurses in general are pretty nice and helpful (although there are grumpy ones just like everywhere else). The IM residents I've worked with are all very solid knowledge-wise and generally pretty chill but still hard-working.
The VA is a personal preference, but I LOVED the VA. Had some of my best, most interesting patients there, loved the attendings I've worked with, and loved the teams I was on. Attendings are very approachable there (not to say they're not at DHMC, just more so at the VA) and absolutely loved to teach. A lof of the medicine and sub-specialty attendings are top notch in terms of knowledge, patient care, and teaching. They are very invested in their patients and excited about their jobs and it makes for a great learning environment. Also, definitely a lot more autonomy at the VA ... overnight, the residents basically run the show there.
