Eight UAB Heersink School of Medicine students have been selected for the 2026–2027 class of Alabama Albert Schweitzer Fellows, representing the institution among a competitive statewide cohort. Over the next year, they will partner with community organizations to develop and carry out sustainable service initiatives addressing the underlying factors that influence health in communities with limited access to care.
The Heersink School of Medicine students chosen for the fellowship are:
- Gitanjali Alapati, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Caroline Bald, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Kailand-Ascia Brown, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Abbie Kleckley, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Rabab Meghani, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Gift Nnamdi, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Navaneeth Shibu, MS1, Birmingham Campus
- Holly Yazdi, MS1, Birmingham Campus
Over the 15-month fellowship, students will continue their medical studies while dedicating 200 hours to community-based public health projects. Each fellow partners with a local organization and receives guidance from academic mentors to design initiatives that improve health and social well-being across Alabama. The program encourages students to apply critical and creative thinking, build leadership skills, and create lasting, sustainable impact.
“As an aspiring medical professional, I find the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship to be phenomenal in providing opportunities to integrate various leadership skills through projects that benefit the community while helping me learn how to create informed change,” said Gitanjali Alapati, MS1. “My partner and I are excited to bring our passion for empowerment and advocacy to light through the support of the fellowship as we continue to hone our skills in leading with compassion. The program’s strong emphasis on collaborative learning allows us to build a great network of students who share a common goal of serving their communities. Our initial meeting was already so impactful, and I am excited to learn more from this program and its amazing cohort of students.”
The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is highly competitive, drawing applications from graduate and professional students across Alabama. This year, the Alabama ASF advisory council selected 25 fellows, the largest class in the program’s history. Alongside the UAB Heersink students, the cohort includes representatives from UAB’s School of Dentistry, School of Education and Human Sciences, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing, School of Optometry, and School of Public Health, as well as students from Auburn University, Samford University, Tuskegee University, and the University of Montevallo.
“We are thrilled to welcome the largest cohort in Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Alabama’s history — our 11th class of Fellows and the beginning of our next decade of service,” said Kimberly Eaton, Executive Director of ASF of Alabama. “At a time when many communities continue to face complex and persistent health challenges, it is both inspiring and hopeful to see so many emerging professionals step forward with a deep commitment to meaningful, community-based change. These Fellows represent the future of compassionate leadership in Alabama. We are honored to walk alongside them — and alongside our academic and community partners — as they refine their ideas, strengthen their skills, and channel their passion into sustainable impact for under-resourced communities across our state.”
Since its founding in 2016, ASF of Alabama has trained and supported 166 professionals, equipping them with the skills to address the healthcare needs of communities across the state. This year’s class of fellows will continue that mission, implementing projects to create lasting, positive change in their communities.
Top row (L to R): Gitanjali Alapati, MS1; Caroline Bald, MS1; Kailand-Ascia Brown, MS1; Abbie Kleckley, MS1 Bottom row (L to R): Rabab Meghani, MS1; Gift Nnamdi, MS1; Navaneeth Shibu, MS1; Holly Yazdi, MS1