The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
Encyclopedia
Originally founded in 1940 to support Albert Schweitzer
's hospital in Africa, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop Leaders in Service: individuals who are dedicated and skilled in meeting the health needs of underserved communities, and whose example influences and inspires others.
ASF supports Schweitzer Fellows (primarily graduate students) as they partner with community-based organizations to develop and implement yearlong, mentored service projects that meet the health needs of underserved populations.
250 Schweitzer Fellows annually:
• Serve at 13 U.S. locations and the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon, Africa
• Provide nearly 50,000 hours of service
• Serve nearly 25,000 low-to-moderate income clients
• Partner with nearly 250 community-based organizations
• Represent more than 100 leading universities
The Schweitzer Fellows for Life alumni network:
• Supports a pipeline of Leaders in Service more than 2,000 strong and growing
• 70% spend more than 75% of their professional time in clinical or human service
• 59% of their patients and clients, on average, are from underserved populations
• 99% say ASF is integral to sustaining their commitment to serve the underserved
ASF's central office is hosted at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
, the official sister hospital of the Schweitzer Hospital in Africa.
ASF now administers the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism
on behalf of its Schweitzer Fellows for Life. Recent recipients have included former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher
(2009) and community health center founder H. Jack Geiger
.
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer OM was a German theologian, organist, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary. He was born in Kaysersberg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, at that time part of the German Empire...
's hospital in Africa, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop Leaders in Service: individuals who are dedicated and skilled in meeting the health needs of underserved communities, and whose example influences and inspires others.
ASF supports Schweitzer Fellows (primarily graduate students) as they partner with community-based organizations to develop and implement yearlong, mentored service projects that meet the health needs of underserved populations.
250 Schweitzer Fellows annually:
• Serve at 13 U.S. locations and the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon, Africa
• Provide nearly 50,000 hours of service
• Serve nearly 25,000 low-to-moderate income clients
• Partner with nearly 250 community-based organizations
• Represent more than 100 leading universities
The Schweitzer Fellows for Life alumni network:
• Supports a pipeline of Leaders in Service more than 2,000 strong and growing
• 70% spend more than 75% of their professional time in clinical or human service
• 59% of their patients and clients, on average, are from underserved populations
• 99% say ASF is integral to sustaining their commitment to serve the underserved
ASF's central office is hosted at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts is a major flagship teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. It was formed out of the 1996 merger of Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital...
, the official sister hospital of the Schweitzer Hospital in Africa.
ASF now administers the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism
Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism
The Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism is a prize given to people who made exemplary contributions to humanity and the environment. The goal of the prize is to advance the cause of humanitarianism. The prize was established in 1986 by Albert Toepfer, an international grain merchant from...
on behalf of its Schweitzer Fellows for Life. Recent recipients have included former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher
David Satcher
David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. FAAFP, FACPM, FACP is an American physician, and public health administrator. He was a four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and served as the 10th Assistant Secretary for Health, and the 16th Surgeon General of the United...
(2009) and community health center founder H. Jack Geiger
H. Jack Geiger
H. Jack Geiger, MD, MSciHyg,is a founding member and past president of Physicians for Human Rights, a founding member and past president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, a founding member and past president of the Committee for Health in South Africa, and a founding member and national...
.