APPLICATION GUIDELINES

The NH/VT Schweitzer Fellows Program (NH/VT SFP) is a one-year interdisciplinary fellowship program focused on community service, leadership development, and reflection. Students from schools in New Hampshire and Vermont who are obtaining professional degrees may apply. The Program is open to students in fields such as: acupuncture, dentistry, health education, law, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, public health, social work, and veterinary medicine.

In addition to the overall goals of the U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Programs, the NH/VT Schweitzer Fellows Program aims to help Fellows:

• improve skills in working with communities, including basic knowledge about approaches to community work; community outreach, community building & networking; and publicity, fundraising, and advocacy 

• gain exposure to the impact of health disparities and health policies on local communities;

• learn about other professions;

• improve overall capabilities for leadership in service;

• and participate in a voluntary network of over 1,700 Fellows for Life who seek to include service in their personal and professional lives.

The community service projects of Schweitzer Fellows should aim to provide direct service to an underserved population in New Hampshire or Vermont, eliminate health disparities, and improve quality of life. The majority of the service hours should be spent in face to face contact with the population you are serving.  Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." For ideas, you may use the nation's public health agenda, Healthy People 2010, www.healthypeople.gov.

Please view our list of past Fellows' projects and agencies for ideas, but be creative in developing your proposal. You may build upon, but not simply duplicate, a past project. Or, you may choose to develop a totally unique project in keeping with Dr. Schweitzer's directive that everyone should find their own Lambaréné, their own special place to serve.

While most students apply to the Schweitzer Fellowship as individuals, we also accept applications from pairs. Please note that  we do not accept applications from groups larger than 2.

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES OF FELLOWS

Service Project: Each Fellow designs and carries out a health-related community service project of at least 200 hours in collaboration with a local community agency. Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Your 200 hours is separate from any school course requirement and must include at least 100 hours of direct service.

Reports & Evaluations: Fellows submit monthly one-page reports about their activities; a written final report; and an evaluation about the Fellowship experience.

Monthly Meetings: Monthly meetings provide the Fellows with interdisciplinary discussions; time for reflection on community service, health issues/policy, and Schweitzer's ideals; and chances to network with prominent health professionals.

Leadership Activities: Each Fellow participates in organizing one of three leadership building activities such as a symposium on local community needs or a group service day.

Recruitment: In the fall of 2010, Fellows organize an information session on the NH/VT SFP and present on their Fellowship experience at their schools.

Other Fellowship Events: Several times a year, Fellows are invited to ASF events featuring Board members, guests of the ASF, and donors.

Orientation/Retreat:  Fellows attend an orientation in April 2009 and a Retreat in September 2009.  Attendance at these events is REQUIRED for all Schweitzer Fellows.

Stipend: Fellows who complete all requirements will receive a $2,000 stipend which is distributed in two installments during the Fellowship year.

DEADLINE: The application deadline is February 1, 2010. 

POSSIBLE 2010-11 FELLOWSHIP PROJECTS: Click here for suggestions.

TO APPLY, CLICK ONE OF THE BUTTONS BELOW:

For more information or if you have questions about your application, contact:
Becky Torrey, Director
Rebecca.b.Torrey@dartmouth.edu T: 603-643-1479

"Up to very recently, I had difficulty envisioning how I could reconcile my academic training as an electrical engineer with my  other interests related to community building and organizing. My experience within the Fellowship was a great opportunity for me to nourish this internal dialogue.  I valued the opportunity of being able to meet the other fellows on a regular basis to  determine how my peers envisioned incorporating their own career with service work. "
--David Lukofsky,  2007-08 NH/VT Schweitzer Fellow

 "My experience this year was unlike any other service project I have ever been part of. The patients I saw at the clinic and the issues I encountered regarding access to care were incredibly real and tangible. I felt the responsibility of delivering medical care to people that otherwise would not have any means to manage their health. I think the Schweitzer Fellowship is unique in that it allows the fellows to work independently and make decisions that will directly impact the people they serve."
-Albert Ackil, 2007-08 NH/VT Schweitzer Fellow