What does leadership look like after the Fellowship year ends? In this ongoing Q&A series, we hear directly from Schweitzer Fellows for Life as they reflect on the lessons that have shaped their paths—personally, professionally, and in service to others. From career milestones to moments of impact, these stories highlight the enduring influence of the Fellowship and the many ways our alumni continue to lead with purpose.
Name: Andee Beierle
Fellowship Year: 2024-2025
Q: What are you currently doing professionally or academically, and how do you feel your Schweitzer Fellowship experience has helped you in your current position?
A: As a medical student, I’m currently immersed in both clinical training and academic coursework, developing the skills necessary to become a physician who not only treats disease but also addresses the social determinants of health that contribute to it. My Schweitzer Fellowship experience has been instrumental in shaping this perspective. Through the Fellowship, I had the opportunity to engage deeply with underserved communities, design a sustainable service project, and witness firsthand how health disparities affect individuals beyond the exam room. It taught me the importance of listening to communities, building trust, and creating interventions that are not only clinically sound but also culturally responsive.
Q: What do you remember most about your Schweitzer Fellowship experience, or what was the most surprising or unexpected gain?
A: What I remember most about my Schweitzer Fellowship experience was how powerful it was to truly listen to the voices of the disabled individuals I worked with. Early on, I thought I had a good idea of what they needed — but it wasn’t until I stepped back, asked questions, and created space for their perspectives that the real progress began.
What surprised me most was how much more effective our interventions became when they were shaped directly by the people we aimed to serve. Whether it was adjusting educational materials to be more accessible or changing the pace and structure of programming, these shifts—rooted in active listening—led to better engagement and, ultimately, improved health outcomes.
The experience taught me that sustainable, equitable care starts with humility and a willingness to center the lived experiences of the community. That lesson continues to guide me in every patient interaction I have as a medical student.
Q: Tell us more about your ASF project and how you feel it helped shape your career path or academic focus.
A: For my Schweitzer Fellowship project, I partnered with Unless U, a nonprofit organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities. I worked closely with the staff and students to design and implement an adaptive exercise curriculum tailored to their physical abilities, preferences, and health goals. The project focused on promoting physical activity in a way that was inclusive, empowering, and sustainable.
This experience was foundational in shaping both my career path and academic interests. It deepened my commitment to addressing health disparities among people with disabilities — a population that is too often overlooked in traditional public health and clinical efforts. It also sparked a growing interest in inclusive healthcare design and preventive medicine, which I now actively seek to integrate into my medical training.
More than anything, the project reinforced the importance of patient-centered care. By co-creating the curriculum with participants and listening to their feedback every step of the way, I saw how tailored, respectful interventions can lead to improved health outcomes and greater self-efficacy. That perspective continues to influence how I approach medicine and the kind of physician I’m striving to become.
Q: How has the Fellowship influenced how you approach leadership, service, or community engagement?
A: The Schweitzer Fellowship fundamentally reshaped how I approach leadership, service, and community engagement. Before the Fellowship, I often viewed leadership as taking initiative and driving change — but through my work with Unless U, I learned that true leadership often means stepping back, listening first, and co-creating solutions alongside the people you’re aiming to serve.
The Fellowship taught me that effective service isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about being present, building trust, and letting the community guide the process. By prioritizing their voices and needs in the development of our adaptive exercise curriculum, we were able to create something meaningful, empowering, and sustainable. That experience continues to shape how I engage with every community I work with — leading with humility, emphasizing partnership over prescription, and striving for impact that reflects the needs and strengths of those we serve.
Q: What advice would you give to current or future Schweitzer Fellows?
A: My biggest piece of advice to current or future Schweitzer Fellows is to lead with your heart, but always listen first. It’s easy to come into a project with passion and big ideas — and that passion is important — but real impact comes from taking the time to understand what the community truly needs, not just what you think they need.
Be present. Ask questions. Be willing to adapt. Some of the most meaningful moments in my Fellowship came when I let go of my original assumptions and made space for the voices of the people I was serving to guide the work. That’s where trust is built — and that’s where real change happens.
