A Decade of Impact: Celebrating 10 Years at Our 2026 Celebration of Service

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Alabama marked a powerful milestone in April as we gathered for our 10th Anniversary Celebration of Service — an inspiring morning dedicated to honoring a decade of leadership, service, and community impact across our state.

Held at Regions Field, the event brought together Fellows, alumni, partners, mentors, and supporters to celebrate both endings and beginnings: the graduation of our newest class of Fellows and the welcoming of the next cohort of emerging leaders.

Honoring Our Graduating Fellows

This year, we proudly celebrated the graduation of 21 Fellows representing Auburn University, Samford University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Montevallo. Over the past 15 months, these Fellows designed and implemented community-based projects addressing critical health needs — from increasing access to care to advancing health education and wellness initiatives.

Together, they contributed to a growing legacy that now surpasses 33,000 hours of service statewide.

Each Fellow’s work reflected the heart of our mission: developing leaders who don’t just serve communities — but partner with them to create meaningful, lasting change.

Welcoming Our Newest Cohort

We were equally excited to introduce 24 incoming Fellows from Auburn University, Samford University, Tuskegee University, and University of Alabama at Birmingham, who began their 15-month journey earlier this year. These individuals represent the future of health leadership in Alabama — bringing fresh ideas, passion, and a shared commitment to addressing community-identified needs.

In a symbolic “passing the torch” moment, graduating Fellows shared words of wisdom that were passed on to the incoming cohort — marking the continuation of a legacy built on service, compassion, and leadership.

Recognizing Excellence in Mentorship

A highlight of the morning was the presentation of our annual mentor awards, recognizing individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting our Fellows:

Site Mentor Award: Dr. Tamika Holmes with Community Care Development Network
Academic Mentor Award: Dr. Tamika Smith, UAB School of Public Health

These mentors play a vital role in shaping the Fellow experience — offering guidance, encouragement, and real-world insight that helps transform ideas into impactful action.

A Special 10-Year Milestone

This year’s Celebration of Service held special significance as we marked 10 years of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship in Alabama — a decade defined by impact, growth, and purpose:

166 Fellows trained
89+ community partners engaged
33,000+ hours of service delivered

We were honored to welcome founding member Dr. Stefan Kertesz as our keynote speaker. His reflections grounded us in the vision that launched this work and challenged us to carry it forward in building a more equitable and compassionate healthcare landscape.

We were also grateful to have Rachel Gold, National Executive Director of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, join us to share remarks and celebrate the continued strength and momentum of our Alabama chapter within the national network.

This year also marked the introduction of a new honor — the Legacy of Service Award. We were proud to present the inaugural award to Dr. Autumn Beavers, a 2019–20 Fellow for Life, in recognition of her lasting impact and continued commitment to service.

Looking Ahead

As we closed the celebration, one thing was clear: this milestone is not just a reflection of what has been accomplished — it is a launching point for what comes next.

With a new cohort stepping forward, a growing network of alumni, and deepening partnerships across the state, the future of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Alabama is brighter than ever.