Columbus-Athens Schweitzer Fellows Program

History

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) was founded in 1940 to support Dr. Albert Schweitzers hospital in Africa. The U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Program was launched in 1991 with the mission to support and train emerging health-focused graduate and professional students in creating and carrying out service projects to address unmet community needs. At the end of their yearlong project, Fellows join the Schweitzer Fellows for Life alumni network, now more than 2,000 strong.

The Columbus-Athens Schweitzer Fellows Program is one of 13 ASF Programs located across the U.S. Since 2011, the Columbus-Athens Program has supported students who are dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health in underserved local communities, and whose example influences and inspires others.

Fellows

Columbus-Athens Schweitzer Fellows are graduate or professional students whose fields of study or personal interests are relevant to the programs mission. Fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 to carry out an April-to-April community service project of at least 200 service hours, of which at least 100 hours involve direct client contact. Fellows partner with an existing community agency in the Columbus or Athens area and have both an academic and a community-based mentor. Fellows attend an orientation and monthly meetings and participate in reflective leadership development programming.

Goals

• To provide skilled and compassionate direct services that address important unmet needs of local underserved individuals and communities;
• To support and train emerging professional leaders in ways that strengthen their commitment to, and skills in, public service; and
• To develop a pipeline of emerging professions with the capacity to effect change in the social and health care systems that will reduce and ultimately eliminate disparities that influence peoples health and lives.

Sponsors

We thank our funders, who make this program possible:

• The Ohio State University: College of Dentistry, College of Education & Human, College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Optometry, College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, College of Social Work, College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
• Ohio University: Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Nationwide Children's Hospital