GREATER PHILADELPHIA SCHWEITZER FELLOWS PROGRAM

One of eleven Schweitzer program sites across the U.S., the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program was established in 2006 under the leadership of David B. Nash, MD, MBA and colleagues at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

Since then, Schweitzer Fellows in Greater Philadelphia—competitively chosen from health-focused graduate student applicants in a variety of fields—have worked tirelessly to reduce health disparities in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey.

To read more about what being a Schweitzer Fellow entails and to find out how to apply, please visit our application page. Click here to download an informational one-pager about the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows program, which is funded entirely by charitable donations and grants. Make a gift, make a difference!

OUR IMPACT

Nearly 40 Schweitzer Fellows in Greater Philadelphia have provided over 7,000 hours of service to vulnerable communities. Partnering with area community-based organizations, these Fellows have conceptualized and carried out yearlong service projects directly addressing issues including:

• Childhood obesity in Philadelphia’s low-income communities (Alesia Mitchell, Temple University)
• The lack of Hepatitis B education and screenings available to Philadelphia’s Asian communities (Betty Chung, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey)
• Homophobia experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Philadelphia area’s school systems and workforce (Noel Ramierez, University of Pennsylvania)
• The prevalence of SIDS among infants of Philadelphia-area homeless women (Alana Wright Benton, St. Joseph’s University)
• The Delaware Haitian community’s access to cardiovascular disease education, prevention and treatment (Sheila Salwant-Valentine, Widener University School of Law)

Please see Fellows and Projects for a complete listing of Fellows’ service projects, which are made possible by our generous sponsors. When Fellows’ initial year of service ends, they carry their commitment to meeting the health needs of underserved people forward as members of the Schweitzer Fellows for Life alumni network, now more than 2,000 strong.

GREATER PHILADELPHIA SCHWEITZER FELLOWS IN THE NEWS

June 21, 2010        Advance for Nurses Highlights Schweitzer Fellow Stephanie Wroten

June 1, 2010         The May/June 2010 issue of Drexel University College of Medicine’s Newspager
                           includes a piece on newly-selected Schweitzer Fellows Guensley Delva and Karen
                           Li (scroll to page 10).

May 5, 2010           Spurred by a Schweitzer Fellow, RNs Work to Empower Mothers and Children At
                            One West Philadelphia Shelter

OUR FELLOWS SPEAK

“I look forward to collaborating and learning from others who are passionate about community work.  I am also looking forward to participating in the Fellows for Life Program to assist others in crafting projects that aim to assist underserved communities in need.” – Schweitzer Fellow Noel Ramirez, Greater Philadelphia

“Throughout the rest of my nursing career, I hope to engage women in discussions that will enable each of them to better understand their healthcare choices and make informed decisions about their health and the health of their families.” – Schweitzer Fellow Ashley Darcy, Greater Philadelphia

AREAS WE SERVE

 
Pennsylvania Counties
• Bucks
• Chester
• Delaware
• Montgomery
• Philadelphia

New Jersey Counties
• Burlington
• Camden
• Gloucester
• Mercer
• Salem

Delaware County
• New Castle