Capstone Scholarship and Discovery-PURCH (CSD-P)

CSD-PURCH is a mentored, student-driven, four-year-long scholarly experience on a topic you are passionate about in medicine.

In your first year, you work with your mentor in the Brightwood Learning Community to brainstorm ideas, scale the project, and connect you to potential advisors and resources to begin your capstone.

By the fall of your second year you must select a Capstone Advisor who will provide the expertise and additional support you need to complete your capstone. You have the option of collaborating with faculty and colleagues at either the Springfield or Worcester campus.

How is Capstone Different for PURCH Students?

Because your CSD project is driven by you and based on your personal passions (as long as it's related to medicine and meets at least one of the core competencies) it provides an opportunity to make a more direct connection with the purpose of PURCH.

Throughout your four years in the PURCH track, you will gain a deeper understanding of the complex local and regional issues that impact the health of rural and urban populations in western Massachusetts. This valuable longitudinal perspective will help you develop a capstone project that addresses the health needs of our community.

Focusing your capstone in Baystate Health's communities gives you access to the creative and innovative work being done by our community partners and the change-makers in a diversity of fields who are working to transform the health, health care, and the overall well-being of community members in western Massachusetts.