Birmingham, Ala., Dec.13, 2019—The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama today announced the selection of its 2020-21 class of Alabama Schweitzer Fellows. Seventeen graduate students from Auburn University, Samford University, The University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Montevallo will spend the next fifteen months learning to effectively address the social factors that impact health and developing lifelong leadership skills. In doing so, they will follow the example set by famed physician-humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, for whom their Fellowship is named.

“These 17 students have joined us at a critical juncture in our organization’s history,” said Kristin Boggs, Executive Director of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Alabama. “Thanks to the support from local philanthropic partners, we have added three months to a previously year-long experience. We are impressed by the willingness of these students to devote more time to using data and community voice to accurately understand what organizations and citizens value and desire to see improved. Furthermore, we are excited to see how a broader diversity of disciplinary perspectives this year will enhance their appreciation for interdisciplinary teamwork. These students rose to the top from our most selective application and interview process ever.”  

Schweitzer Fellows develop and implement service projects that address the root causes of health disparities in under-resourced communities, while also fulfilling their academic responsibilities. Each project is implemented in collaboration with a community-based health and/or social service organization. The exact projects of the 2020 Fellows will be determined through a three-month exploration of needs, community assets, and evidence-based models for interventions. Many community organizations will participate in the training program as co-educators.

Schweitzer Fellowships have an intensive leadership component so that Fellows can go on to inspire others to improve the health of those who experience barriers to care. Fellows work under the close guidance of community and academic mentors during their fellowship year. ASF of Alabama will announce in April 2020 the specific projects and community partners who will collaborate with the Fellows.

It is anticipated that the 17 Alabama Fellows will be joined by approximately 200 other 2020-21 Schweitzer Fellows working at program sites around the United States in early spring, the traditional start of Schweitzer Fellowships nationally. Upon completion of their Fellowship year, the 2020-21 Alabama Schweitzer Fellows will become Schweitzer Fellows for Life and join a vibrant network of more than 3,500 Schweitzer alumni who are skilled in, and committed to, addressing the health needs of underserved people throughout their careers.

Nationally, some of ASF’s Fellows for Life include Dr. Stefan Kertesz, who leads research and education on how to improve the care of people who are homeless and who also serves as Vice-Chair of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Board of Directors; Rishi Manchanda, MD, author of the TED book The Upstream Doctors: Medical Innovators Track Sickness To Its Source; Jessica Lahey, JD, author of the bestseller The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn To Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed; and Robert Satcher, Jr., MD, PhD, assistant professor, Anderson Cancer Center and NASA mission specialist.

US-based ASF programs are located not only in Alabama but also in Chicago, Columbus-Athens, Oh.; Dallas-Fort Worth; Detroit; Houston; Los Angeles; New Orleans; New Hampshire/Vermont; North Carolina; Pittsburgh; San Francisco and Tulsa

2020-21 Alabama Schweitzer Fellows

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About The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship

TheAlbert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) is preparing the next generation of professionals who will serve and empower vulnerable people to live healthier lives and create healthier communities. To date, more than 3,500 Schweitzer Fellows have delivered nearly 500,000 hours of service to nearly 300,000 people in need.  Additionally, more than 100 Fellows have provided care at the 100-year-old Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Africa. Through this work and through the contributions of Fellows whose professional careers serve their communities, ASF perpetuates the legacy and philosophy of physician-humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer. ASF has 13 program locations in the U.S. and one in Lambaréné, Africa. Its national office is located in Boston, MA.