Jefferson School of Population Health
Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program
The Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program (GPSFP) is one of 11 such programs in the nation, based on
Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy of Reverence for Life, which challenges students to act on their idealism by serving needy individuals and communities. This one-year interdisciplinary fellowship program is focused on community service, leadership development and reflection, and serves as the entry year in becoming a Fellow for Life. Fellows receive a stipend of $2,000 during the course of the Fellowship year.
Established in September 2007, the GPSFP is steadily building its presence in the Greater Philadelphia area. Under the leadership of David B. Nash, MD, MBA and colleagues at the Jefferson School of Population Health of Thomas Jefferson University, the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program serves populations in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey.
Activities of the Fellows
Service Project: Each Schweitzer Fellow designs and carries out a community service project of at least 200 hours of direct service that is beyond any course requirement.
Public Outreach: Each Fellow works in a small group to organize an outreach activity that may take the form of a public symposia or group service activity.
Monthly Meetings: Monthly meetings provide Fellows with interdisciplinary discussions, time for reflection on community service, and an opportunity to network with professionals in service professions. Fellows are required to attend all monthly meetings.
Final Reports: Upon completion of their projects, Fellows submit a written final report to the Program Office. Guidelines are provided by the Fellowship.
Stipend: Each Schweitzer Fellow receives a standard stipend of $2,000. Local programs may have additional stipend distribution requirements.For more detailed information on applying, please see the application guidelines.
Eligibility
Students enrolled in degree-granting programs in health and/or human service related fields such as medicine, nursing, public health, acupuncture, education, engineering, law, music, occupational and physical therapy, pharmacy, social work, public policy, and others are eligible to apply.
In addition to the four overall goals of the U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Programs, the Greater Philadelphia 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, publicity, fundraising and advocacy
- Gain exposure to impact the health disparities and health policies on local communities
- Learn about other health-related professions
- Develop their overall capabilities for leadership in service
- Align with a voluntary network of over 1,000 Fellows for Life who seek to include service in their personal and professional lives.
For further information about the program, contact Nicole M. Cobb, M.A.O.M, Program Director, Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program, at (215) 955-9995.
Application Guidelines
The Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program is a one-year interdisciplinary fellowship program focused on community service and leadership development. Students from schools in Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs, Delaware, Southern New Jersey) who are obtaining professional degrees in health-related fields may apply.
Required Activities for Fellows
Orientation & Retreat: Fellows must attend a daylong retreat in the spring of 2010.
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. The 200 hours is separate from any school course requirements.
Reports & Evaluations: Fellows submit monthly one-page reports about their activities, a written final report, and an evaluation about the Fellowship experience. Fellows’ site mentors also must complete a final evaluation.
Monthly Meetings: Fellows are required to attend all monthly meetings. Monthly meetings provide the Fellows with interdisciplinary discussions, time for reflection on community service, and an opportunity to network with professionals in service professions.
Public Outreach: Each Fellow works in a small group to organize an outreach activity that may take the form of a public symposia or group service activity.
Recruitment: Fellows will organize an information session on the Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program and present on their Fellowship experience at their schools.
Other Fellowship Activities: Several times a year, Fellows are invited to ASF events featuring Board members, guests of the ASF, and donors.
Eligibility & Deadlines
Students can apply for the Fellowship by completing the online application. The deadline for the 2010-2011 Fellowship year is 5:00 pm Monday, Feb. 1, 2010. For further information about the program, contact Nicole M. Cobb, M.A.O.M, Program Director, Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program, at (215) 955-9995.
Program Chair
David B. Nash, MD, MBA
Dean, Jefferson School of Population Health
