We are pleased to introduce UMMS-Baystate Health; a partnership of UMASS School of Medicine, Baystate Health Care and UMass Amherst. UMMS-Baystate Health is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and will be a regional campus of the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine.

We are also introducing the Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) Track.  The PURCH Track will immerse students in clinical settings where they will develop skills in the practice of urban and rural primary care and the research of population health, health disparities, and social determinants of health, wellness and disease prevention.

The UMMS-Baystate PURCH track:

· Will matriculate 25 students per year beginning with the entering medical school class matriculating in 2017. 

· Offers an integrated educational experience:

o Basic science years 1 and 2 at the SOM campus in Worcester with the opportunity to have clinical experiences at Baystate.

o Clinical years 3 and 4 with rotations anchored at the UMMS-Baystate regional campus in Springfield with the opportunity to do some electives at the SOM Worcester campus

· Prepares students to practice medicine in diverse, urban and rural communities focusing on underserved populations.

How Applicants Apply to the PURCH Track:

Applicants interested in the PURCH track must first apply to UMMS through AMCAS.  After the verified AMCAS application is received by UMMS, students will receive detailed information about the PURCH Track and program application in the UMMS on-line secondary application.  Admission to the PURCH Track will be determined by the SOM Admissions Committee with faculty representation from both UMMS School of Medicine and Baystate Health Care. 

For additional information please visit the PURCH website.  I am also happy to answer any questions you may have about the program. 

Karen J. Lawton, MBA
Director of Admissions
University of Massachusetts
School of Medicine
Email: [log in to unmask]