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 in health-related fields 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, Health 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.

 “I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a Schweitzer Fellow.  It has strengthened both my love for working with teens and for continuing to be an advocate of this group of women.  I know that this experience will shape my future as a physician and as a member of my community.”
Kate Lenkoski, 2001-02 NH/VT Schweitzer Fellow

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 2008, 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 and a retreat in September.

“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

APPLICATION
Applications should include:

• A cover sheet containing your contact information, including your school, your expected year of graduation, mailing address, email address and phone number.

• Your resume or curriculum vitae.

• A list of two references (include name, telephone number, and a sentence on how you know them).

• A personal statement that explains your reasons for applying to the NH/VT Schweitzer Fellows Program and your proposed project.

Please consider the following questions as you write your personal statement:
-What are your motivations for applying?
-Describe your proposed service project.
-Demonstrate the need and interest in your project.
-Describe the possible enduring value of your project.
-Provide a brief listing of the timeframe in which you expect to complete the 200 hours of service.
-What do you hope to gain personally and professionally from participating in the Fellowship?
-What skills and experiences do you bring to the Fellowship?
-Please give your proposed project a name.

The application deadline for the 2008-09 Fellowship year has passed. To apply for the 2009-10 NH/VT SFP, please check back in the fall of 2009.

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