The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) has announced the 2018-19 class of Alabama Schweitzer Fellows. Four graduate students from the School of Public Health will spend the next year learning to effectively address the social factors that impact health, and developing lifelong leadership skills. In doing so, they will follow the example set by famed physician-humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, for whom their Fellowship is named.

Josh Bruce and Alison Footman, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health (Health Behavior)

Bruce and Footman are addressing access to HIV/STI testing across Alabama by using a Mobile Testing Unit. We hope to normalize the presence of mobile testing units within Birmingham and the surrounding communities and show the feasibility in using the unit to increase HIV/STI testing. Through this project we also hope to expand access to care and link newly diagnosed HIV/STI positive individuals to care.

Community Site: Birmingham AIDS Outreach

Sherilyn Garner, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health (Health Behavior)

Garner is addressing mental health stigma and self-management in East Birmingham by developing and implementing mindfulness activities including yoga for adolescents from the local community. In addition to assisting youth with increasing their self-awareness, the program will utilize culturally-tailored strategies to improve prosocial behavior and psychological stress in youth. The program also aims to foster positive attitudes and behaviors related to mental health and its treatment.

Community Site: Oak Tree Ministries

Raina Jain, University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Public Health (Health Care Organization and Policy)
Michelle Kung, University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Health Professions

Kung and Jain are addressing substance abuse and addiction in Birmingham, Alabama by establishing a life skills training program for teens and young adults. They were motivated to action by the current opioid epidemic to develop a prevention program that addresses the root causes of addiction. Their program will teach adolescents essential skills in effective communication, decision-making, and coping mechanisms. Their goal is to start an informative discussion on addiction while boosting the confidence of teens and young adults in their abilities to resist substance abuse.

Community Site: TBD