Our Mission
The Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program (PSFP) develops leaders in the direct service of improving health, promoting well-being, and advancing social and environmental justice for at-risk communities and underserved populations.
Our Definition of Social Justice
The Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program defines Social Justice as the ongoing process of striving for equity in order to build an inclusive and healthy community in which all members can thrive.
Our Role in Advancing Social Justice
We strive to advance social justice, and eliminate inequities, in everything we do.
We are firmly committed to continuing, evaluating, and improving upon our work to mitigate the impact of social injustice in our Pittsburgh community. We recognize the importance of both changing systems and changing attitudes in order to advance justice; and we understand the importance of starting with our own organizational practices, a thorough examination of best practices, thoughtful self-reflection, and accountable action in the following areas:
- Our Governance and Operations: We commit to authenticity in our practices and policies for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity within the governance and internal and external operations of our organization.
- Our Curriculum and Programming: We commit to preparing Fellows to be leaders and advocates who understand the principles of social justice, the inequalities of oppressive systems, and what is necessary to create and advocate for positive change.
- Our Marketing, Outreach, and Brand Awareness: We commit to ensuring that the image and reputation of PSFP transparently reflects our core value of social justice.
- Our Partnerships: We commit to collaborate with individuals, community agencies, universities, and funders who support and promote the advancement of social justice issues.
Inclusion and Diversity
In line with our Mission, Vision, and core values, PSFP commits to meaningfully contribute to its greater community in which all members can thrive. Through thoughtful self-examination, accountable action, and engagement, we will continue to work to ensure our involvement and impact reflect best practices for the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
About PSFP
The Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program is one of 14 programs across the country. Others include:
- Alabama
- Boston
- Chicago
- Columbus-Athens
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Detroit
- Houston-Galveston
- Los Angeles
- New Hampshire/Vermont
- New Orleans
- North Carolina
- Pittsburgh
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Tulsa
PSFP is a 16-month leadership training program that prepares future leaders in both for-profit and non-profit arenas to address the health and human service needs of at-risk communities and underserved populations. PSFP utilizes Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s principles, coupled with a direct service servant leadership model. Our servant leadership model incorporates an understanding of the social determinants of health and social justice issues that affect health outcomes for our community’s most vulnerable people, with a strong focus on social justice and environmental health issues.
Graduate students, from any discipline, are eligible to apply from any university in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. PSFP takes a health-in-all-things approach to wellness and acknowledges that wellbeing is tied to far more than an individual’s medical health.
PSFP has hosted students from medicine, physical therapy, nursing, psychology, social work, criminal justice, law, dentistry, business, public health, food studies, creative writing, sustainability and environmental studies, international studies, education, and other disciplines. These interdisciplinary cohorts allow Fellows to learn from and lean on the expertise of their fellow Fellows, both in their own leadership development and in the delivery of their direct service project. Each Fellow also works with a team of professional mentors (Schweitzer, Academic, and Site) to deliver their direct service project to the community.
Fellows complete our Fellowship Program with core competencies that prepare them to work with and advocate for marginalized people in both non-profit and for-profit careers.
Additionally, more than 100 Fellows have provided care at the 100-year-old Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon, West Africa. Through this work, the Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program perpetuates the legacy and philosophy of famed physician-humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer.