While working as a young lawyer in Washington, DC in the 1970’s, Mark was instrumental in helping to avert the closing of the Schweitzer Hospital in Africa when it faced impending bankruptcy after Dr. Schweitzer’s death in 1965. An unprecedented $1 million grant from USAID was used to build new Hospital facilities that are the hub of the Hospital’s work today. In 1978 Mark conceived of the Lambaréné Schweitzer Fellows Program as a way to provide ongoing service to the Hospital and its patients, while simultaneously giving participating Schweitzer Fellows an experience that many have found to be life-altering. In 1991 Mark joined with Lachlan Forrow (1982 Lambaréné Fellow) and others to create the U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Program, which similarly combines valuable service to needy individuals with experiences that foster personal and professional growth for participating Fellows.

Mark has served as an ASF Board member since 1974 and as President and then Chairman from 1989 through 2006.

Chair emeritus Mark L. Wolf, board member Sally Harris, director emeritus and daughter of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Rhena Schweitzer Miller and current ASF President Lachlan Forrow, M.D. centered around a bust of Dr. Schweitzer.

Mark L. Wolf, the son of Jason and Beatrice Wolf, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Newton South High School, Yale College, and Harvard Law School.

In 1975 Mark worked as a Special Assistant to Attorney General Edward Levi, and was honored by President Gerald Ford for his ‘meritorious service’ in resettlement of Indochinese refugees.

From 1981 through 1985, Mark was Deputy United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. During this period he was honored with the United States Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and the American Jewish Congress Award on behalf of Iranian Jewish Refugees.

Mark L. Wolf with hospital worker at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon

Appointed as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts in 1985 by President Reagan, Judge Wolf became Chief Judge in 2006. Judge Wolf currently serves as the Chairman of the John William Ward Public Service Fellowship for Boston Latin School students and its Stanley Miller Fellowship program. He is also the founder of the District Court’s Judge David S. Nelson Fellowship Program for Boston High School students.

Read Writings by Mark L. Wolf

Read Testimonials to Mark L. Wolf

Read more about our Endowed Fellowships:

Rhena Schweitzer Miller

A.C. Reid

Antje Lemke

Mark L. Wolf