BAY AREA SCHWEITZER FELLOWS PROGRAM

Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy of “Reverence for Life” is the cornerstone of an exciting fellowship program that provides service-oriented opportunities for graduate students in the San Francisco Bay Area.  As part of the national Albert Schweitzer Fellowship®, the Bay Area Schweitzer Fellows Program, provides support and a mentored, entrepreneurial opportunity for Bay Area graduate students to address the unmet health needs of Bay Area communities.  Schweitzer Fellows gain important skills that help them become leaders in service throughout their careers and they join a network of former Fellows world-wide who, in the words of Albert Schweitzer, have “made their lives their argument.”

Founded in 2006, the Bay Area Schweitzer Fellows Program has included Fellows from Samuel Merritt College, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of California, San Francisco.  The program currently serves the greater Bay Area, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Projects carried out by past and current Fellows include: development of a hepatitis B free clinic for Asians and Pacific Islanders and a women’s health clinic in a homeless shelter; oral health education for young children, high school students and pregnant women; a drop-in clinic and writing workshop for individuals with mental health issues; development of programs for young Asian males, creation of a community garden run by high school students, podiatric screening and support in a homeless shelter, educational and behavioral support for low income pregnant women; HIV/AIDS treatment adherence; Native American dance and education; creation of culturally appropriate information on chronic disease prevention for Spanish-speaking day laborers and patient education on preventive care that can be delivered by pharmacists; hot-line support for low-income rural women; mentoring of teen-aged girls in a Boys & Girls Club, and mapping of air pollution near disadvantaged neighborhoods and schools.

ACTIVITIES OF THE FELLOWS
Each local program of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship® follows a similar model of activities and requirements. http://www.schweitzerfellowship.org/features/us/   In particular, Bay Area Schweitzer Fellows must complete the following:

Orientation Retreat: Bay Area Schweitzer Fellows must attend an overnight orientation retreat in early May.  This is a time for the Fellows to get to know one another and begin the process of working together on group activities.

Service Project: Each Schweitzer Fellow designs and carries out a community service project of at least 200 hours of direct service that is beyond any course requirement.  The design and execution of this project is done with the assistance of a mentor from the community site.  

Public Outreach: Each Fellow works as part of a group to organize an outreach activity that may take the form of a public symposium or group service activity.

Monthly Meetings: Monthly meetings provide Fellows with interdisciplinary discussions, time for reflection on community service, and an opportunity to network with professionals in service professions.  Fellows are required to attend all monthly meetings.

Mid-Year Meeting with Program Director:  At the mid-point of the Fellowship year the Program Director meets individually with each Fellow to determine progress and address any problems the Fellow may be having.

Recruitment Assistance:  Each Fellow is expected to help the Program Director with recruitment efforts for the following year.  They will each attend at least one informational session, discuss their experiences as a Fellow and help to arrange recruiting meetings in the various schools.

Final Reports: Upon completion of their projects, Fellows submit a written final report to the Program Office. Guidelines are provided by the Fellowship.

Stipend: Each Schweitzer Fellow receives a stipend of $2,000.  Stipends are paid in three installments of $500,  $500 and $1000 respectively.  Installment #1 is paid following submission of a detailed project description form signed by the Fellow and his/her academic and site mentors.  Installment #2 is paid following the mid-year review.  Installment # 3 is paid when the Final Report has been submitted and program evaluation surveys have been completed.        

For more detailed information on applying, please see the application guidelines. 

ELIGIBILITY
Students enrolled in degree granting graduate programs in health-related fields such as (but not limited to) medicine, nursing, public health, dentistry, acupuncture, education, podiatry, engineering, law, music, occupational and physical therapy, pharmacy, social work and public policy are eligible to apply. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dale Ogar
Program Director
Bay Area Schweitzer Fellows Program
590G University Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-7360
T: (510) 289-8407
F: (510) 642-2857
daleogar@schweitzerfellowship.org