The Primary Care Scholars Program (PCP Scholars) is a one-year opportunity for M1, M2, and M3 students who are curious about primary care. Through exposure to a wide range of career paths and meaningful clinical experiences, the program helps students discover what a future in primary care can look like.
Read on to learn more about participant benefits, activities and what PCP Scholars can expect in the program.
PCP Scholars Participant Benefits
In addition to exploring the field of primary care through hands-on experiences and mentorship. PCP Scholars also receive several benefits for their participation in the program:
- $10,000 Stipend
- Personalized Scrubs
- Student Annual Membership in FAFP
- HOKA Shoes
- Sony noise canceling headphones
- Water bottle
PCP Scholars Activities
- Educational Workshops
- Targeted Mentoring
- Hands-on Underserved Care Experiences
- Advanced Simulations
- Clinical Engagement
Building on these immersive learning and service experiences, the program culminates in a scholarly project that allows students to apply their skills to real-world challenges in primary care and underserved communities.
The Scholarly Graduation Project is the signature capstone of the Primary Care Scholars Program, designed to develop students into exceptional problem-solvers, advocates, and leaders, qualities that elevate any residency program. Through one of five project pathways, students tackle real-world challenges affecting access, equity, and patient outcomes, producing deliverables that demonstrate initiative, analytical skills, collaboration, and the ability to drive systems-level improvement. Whether conducting a community needs assessment, drafting a policy brief, designing a service-learning model, proposing new scholar activities, or analyzing barriers faced by underserved groups, students learn to translate insight into actionable solutions. These experiences cultivate students who excel in teamwork, understand social determinants of health, communicate effectively across disciplines, and approach patient care with maturity, purpose, and leadership potential, attributes highly valued in primary care and all specialty fields.
What to Expect
As a PCP Scholar, participants spend 50–100 hours immersing themselves in the aspects of primary care that genuinely interest them. With its self-directed and flexible structure, the program encourages participants to explore the many dimensions of primary care and to find the niches that spark their passion. Along the way, students gain exposure to the diverse opportunities the field offers and connect with respected primary care leaders in the community.