In 1940, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship was founded in the United States to support Dr. Schweitzer?s medical work in Africa during World War II.  Since Dr. Schweitzer’s death in 1965, the Fellowship has continued to provide direct assistance to the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné and, and more recently, to underserved communities within the United States.

In 1978, the Fellowship began sending senior medical students from the United States to work at the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné. Fellows work together with an international staff of Gabonese and expatriate professionals, providing skilled care through over 35,000 outpatient visits and more than 6,000 hospitalizations annually for patients from all parts of Gabon.

In 1991, the Fellowship launched its U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Programs, through which students in health professions and related fields carry out direct service projects in underserved communities in the United States. To date, more than 1,500 Fellows have contributed over 312,000 hours of service at hundreds of domestic community agencies.

Today, the mission of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship® is to reduce disparities in health and healthcare by developing ?leaders in service? ? individuals who are dedicated and skilled in helping underserved communities, and whose example influences and inspires others.

ASF also participates as the U.S. Affiliate on the Schweitzer Hospital’s governing board, and in the AISL (Association Internationale pour l’oeuvre du Dr. Albert Schweitzer de Lambaréné - a collaborative international network of organizations committed to Dr. Schweitzer’s legacy). ASF is also involved in the Fobang Foundation in Cameroon (a humanitarian organization for science and health), and supports the Commission for the Spiritual Work of Albert Schweitzer in Gunsbach, France, which maintains Dr. Schweitzer’s original manuscripts, correspondence, and related materials.

Timeline

1913	Dr. Schweitzer and his wife, Hélène Bresslau, open the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon.
1915	Dr. Schweitzer develops his ethic of Reverence for Life .
1940	Dr. Schweitzer authorizes the formation of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship® to support his medical work in Africa during World War II.
1956	Dr. Schweitzer broadens the mandate of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship® to include promotion of Reverence for Life beyond the hospital in Lambaréné.
1979	The first Lambaréné Schweitzer Fellows spend three months at the Schweitzer Hospital in Africa.
1992	The first twelve U.S. Schweitzer Fellows are supported in year-long service projects in Boston.
1999	Over 125 U.S. Schweitzer Fellows are supported annually in seven states.
2004	The Fellows for Life Network grows to over 1,000.
2005	ASF celebrates the 100th anniversary of Albert Schweitzer?s decision to become a doctor and dedicate his life to service in Africa.
2006	Supported by a$1 Million multi-year grant from The Merk Company Foundation, ASF launches an expansion that aims to double the number of U.S. Programs to at least 12 by 2010.
2007	Bay Area and Greater Philadelphia Programs are launched.
2008	Los Angeles and New Orleans Programs are launched.