The NC Albert Schweitzer Fellowship selected its class of 29 Fellows for 2024-25, including five from the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, four from the UNC School of Medicine and one from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
The North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellowship named its 2024-25 class of Schweitzer Fellows – 29 graduate students who will spend the next year learning to address the social factors that impact health and to develop lifelong leadership skills. This year’s class represents fellows from across the state in medicine, dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy, and business, including four from the UNC School of Medicine.
Here are the collaborations involving UNC School of Medicine students:
Emma Myers (UNC SOM) & Rashmi Deshmukh (UNC Adams)
Location: UNC Hospitals Oral Medicine Clinic and UNC Dermatology
Summary of Work: To dducate patients about the signs and symptoms of autoimmune diseases to help facilitate a diagnosis so they can begin treatment and have a more active role in their healthcare. Lead support groups and free yoga classes for those diagnosed. This is an expansion of a 2023-24 Schweitzer project.
Academic Mentors: Iquebal Hasan, BDS and Zachary Brian, DMD, MHA, FICD, FACD
Site Mentor: Donna Culton, MD, PhD
Sydney Puerto-Meredith & John “Jack” Leland
Location: Manos Unidas at Black River Health
Summary of Work: To help farmworkers increase their efficacy in managing their diabetes.
Academic Mentor: Modjulie Moore, MD
Site Mentor: David Gasca
Sonum Tharwani (UNC SOM) & Dalia Namak (UNC Kenan-Flagler)
Location: UNC Nash Cardiology
Summary of Work: To launch a free cardiology clinic providing comprehensive cardiac care, preventive education, and health screenings, especially targeting vulnerable populations.
Academic Mentor: Paula Miller, MD
Site Mentor: Michael Yeung, MD
The full Schweitzer Fellowship press release can be found here.
The full list of 29 scholars can be found here.