UMass Medical Students to Advocate for Health, Justice Reform

BOSTON — On Wednesday, March 25 from noon to 3 p.m., 25 medical students from the Population-based Urban & Rural Health (PURCH) program at UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate will gather at the Massachusetts State House to participate in PURCH on the Hill 2026, an initiative designed to teach future healthcare professionals the importance of advocacy in shaping public policies that impact social determinants of health.

UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate PURCH students and faculty will join state Sen. Adam Gomez; state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa; and saff from Baystate Health, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Clean Slate Massachusetts, and Men of Color Health Awareness in Room 437 of the Massachusetts State House.

PURCH on the Hill 2026 will focus on clean slate legislation and increased funding in the FY 2026 budget for the Healthy Incentive Program. Students will engage with legislators and policy experts to advocate for these public health measures.

The PURCH track is a community-centered, patient-focused, team-based program emphasizing population health and health equity. Students in the PURCH track receive all their clinical learning at UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate The event at the State House is designed to teach medical students how to engage in advocacy efforts with legislators to help shape public policies related to the social determinants of health.