BOSTON SCHWEITZER FELLOWS PROGRAM

Since 1991, The Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program has provided more than 400 Boston and Worcester area students the opportunity to carry out health-related community service projects in their local areas.

Fellows have worked to provide services ranging from developing a fall prevention program for seniors, health education programs in local schools, nutrition programs for low-income families, to identifying the mental health issues refugee children face in the U.S.

Boston Fellows have also conducted more than 70 public outreach events, including formal symposia on topics such as HIV and AIDS, refugee and immigrant health, nutrition and obesity, and access to health care.  These free events are open to the general public and engage students, academic faculty, community members and others in thoughtful dialogue about the unmet health needs facing our local communities.   

ACTIVITIES OF THE FELLOWS

Service Project: Each Schweitzer Fellow designs and carries out a health-related direct service project of at least 200 hours in collaboration with a local community agency under the leadership of a site supervisor and academic mentor of the student’s choice.  All activities are in addition to the Fellows’ usual graduate professional training responsibilities.

Public Outreach: Each Fellow works in a small group to organize an outreach activity that may take the form of a public symposia 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.

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 standard stipend of $2,000. 

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

In their words...
“The Schweitzer Fellows Program is an amazing and life-changing experience.  It gives busy, harried students, who are very focused on their own particular health field, the opportunity to do two important things.  First, it expands students’ health horizons and perspectives by exposing them to a broad range of other students from different schools, studying different things.  Second, it brings together a group of people who want to serve others, and gives them the opportunity and encouragement to act on their instincts to reach out and make a real difference in people’s lives.”
- Elly Stout, Tufts University

"In my view the Schweitzer program is a unique and important program.  It fosters idealism and service among young individuals who are in privileged positions to put those values to good use.  It empowers young professionals in training to believe they can make immediate impacts on their communities and that they do not have to defer those dreams and goals.  The opportunity to meet like-minded individuals at other schools and in other fields is valuable and inspiring."
- Tobin Abraham, UMASS Medical School

“Being a part of the Fellowship has unquestionably served to reinforce my commitment to public service, as well as further increased my interest in working with the homeless population.  I have learned the importance of surrounding oneself with a group of like-minded individuals whom you can draw encouragement and inspiration from, and hope to find such an environment in the future.  I feel very fortunate to be a Fellow for Life, and am grateful that my connection to other Schweitzer Fellows extends far beyond this year.”
- Anthony Lim, Boston University

For more information, contact:
Devon Reber Program Director
The Boston Schweitzer Fellows Program
330 Brookline Ave. (BR) (Mailing Address)
109 Brookline Ave. (Office Location)
Boston, MA 02215
T: (617) 667-1526
F: (617) 667-7989
dreber@bidmc.harvard.edu