Our Advisory Council plays a vital role in guiding and supporting the Schweitzer Fellowship’s mission to develop leaders who are committed to health equity and community service. This dedicated group of professionals brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to our program — helping to mentor fellows, strengthen partnerships, and advance our impact across Alabama. Let us introduce you to them through our Q&A Spotlight Series.
Q: Please introduce yourself and your role within the ASF of Alabama.
A. Bryn Manzella, Director of Quality Improvement for the Jefferson County Department of Health. I serve on the ASF Advisory Council. As a member of the Advisory Council, I assist with vetting ASF applicants and help shape Fellow projects.
Q: Why do you love serving ASF?
A. ASF attracts the best and brightest leaders who share a passion for serving.
Q: What excites you most about the upcoming Fellows?
A. The Fellows insight into the issues facing our communities and innovative approaches for working alongside community and organizational partners to impact positive and sustainable change.
Q: What do you hope ASF can accomplish in the future?
A. Grow and Grow and Grow! ASF is simply an outstanding program which hones the leadership skills of Fellows while enabling communities to thrive.
Q: Why do you think the ASF Fellowship is important to Alabama communities?
A. Many communities in Alabama are experiencing resource challenges. While communities know what they need and have the wisdom to help shape interventions to fir the local context, the critical resources of people, time, and money are often not readily available. ASF helps bridge the gap and help communities be successful.
Q: How does ASF help Fellows develop as leaders and professionals?
A. ASF provides both structure and individualized support for understanding communities, co-developing and
leveraging interventions with community members, and measuring impact.
Q: What advice would you give to incoming Fellows?
A. Get ready for greatness! Your horizons and your heart are going to be broadened and tested, but you will make a difference and gain new tools for your toolbox for life!
Q: What personal or professional experiences have influenced your passion for service and health equity?
A. My parents were both active in bringing educational opportunities to the underserved. It was my privilege to work alongside my parents and with members of my community to understand the challenges experienced, learn the root causes of these challenges, and to hear from the community how to address the challenges.
Q: How do you see ASF’s role in shaping the future of healthcare and service in Alabama?
A. What I have seen over and over is that Fellows develop deep cultural humility and this with the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation skills developed during the Fellowship transcend the Fellowship and provide a cadre of knowledgeable and compassionate leaders who are bold and fearless in ensuring changes that impact the community.
Q: What are some of the key skills or qualities that ASF Fellows develop that are valuable in their future careers?
A. True and deep compassion; Understanding that the community not only knows what they need but knows how interventions should be shaped that will be accepted in the community; Assessment, planning, implementation, and assessment skills.
