The North Carolina Schweitzer Fellows Program was created in 1994 to encourage individuals to emulate Dr. Schweitzer’s example of service and to promote his ethic of Reverence for Life. To accomplish this, the Fellowship provides community service opportunities to health professional students who want to help people whose needs are not being met by the health care system in our state. The Fellowship serves to strengthen the students’ commitment to public service and build leadership skills. Students from many schools and a wide range of disciplines gain perspectives on working with local communities and with other health professions that are rarely experienced in their academic training.

Since its founding, Dr. Trisha White, 1984 Lambaréné Schweitzer Fellow, has been the Program Chair. Barbara Heffner is the Program Director.  Supporters include BCBS of North Carolina, Duke University School of Medicine, ECU Brody School of Medicine Office of Generalist Programs, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Quintiles Gives Back Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation, Wachovia Trust Nonprofit and Philanthropic Services, and many generous individuals.

In their words...

“The Fellowship has helped me fulfill my dreams while honoring someone I deeply admire [Dr. Albert Schweitzer]. It has helped me find my true self and given me a sense of mission and fulfillment. This fellowship has taught me perseverance, confidence and diplomacy, resourcefulness and strength. I’ve grown so much. I now believe I can do anything I put my mind to it.”
 – Yvonne Ator Whitelaw, ECU Brody School of Medicine

“Like Albert Schweitzer, I want to make my “life my argument,” and as I am crazed and running around during my internship, I will strive to honor and revere my patients as they have put their hope and trust in me. This fellowship has given me to the tools to think that I can, and that I will have the courage, intelligence, and ability to do the right thing.” 
– Page Inman, Duke School of Medicine

“This fellowship definitely strengthened my feelings about community service, because it is so true, that one person really can make a great impact and change. Imagine if everyone had that reverence; so many people lives could be improved.”
 – Stephanie Manning, UNC School of Dentistry

“With all that is required of us while busily obtaining our medical education, all the pressures and time demands, the opportunity I had to go on Monday nights and work with the underserved and especially that unique corps who serve them was truly a great teaching opportunity for me.  Of all who have benefited from my efforts to make prescription eyewear more affordable, it is me, and my vision, which has most improved.  I better see my place, and my potential as a physician, and most importantly, as a fellow member of my community.”
 – Moss Fenberg, Wake University School of Medicine

“My experiences with the Schweitzer Fellowship have been some of my most valued during graduate school. I will take away the inspiration of putting my heart into a project, having the freedom to imagine and create new possibilities, and finally seeing the effects of my hard work evidenced in the smiles of dozens of middle school girls. The fellowship has definitely affected my future career plans, and I hope to continue working with teenage girls who come from SES-disadvantage.
 – Annada Hypes, UNCC School of Psychology

For more information, contact:

Barbara Heffner, Program Director
North Carolina Schweitzer Fellows Program
Post Office Box 1636
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 895-6506
beheffner@hotmail.com