The mission of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is to reduce disparities in health and healthcare by developing “leaders in service.” These leaders are individuals who are dedicated and skilled in helping underserved communities, and who influence and inspire others by example.

In 1940, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship was founded in the United States to support Dr. Schweitzer’s medical work in Africa during World War II.

Since Dr. Schweitzer's death in 1965, the Fellowship has continued to provide direct assistance to the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné...
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In 1940, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship was founded in the United States to support Dr. Schweitzer’s medical work in Africa during World War II.

Since Dr. Schweitzer's death in 1965, the Fellowship has continued to provide direct assistance to the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné and, and more recently, to underserved communities within the United States.

In 1978, the Fellowship began sending senior medical students from the United States to work at the Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné. Fellows work together with an international staff of Gabonese and expatriate professionals, providing skilled care through over 35,000 outpatient visits and more than 6,000 hospitalizations annually for patients from all parts of Gabon.

In 1991, the Fellowship launched its U.S. Schweitzer Fellows Programs, through which students in health professions and related fields carry out direct service projects in underserved communities in the United States. To date, more than 1,000 Fellows have contributed over 200,000 hours of service at hundreds of domestic community agencies.

Today, the mission of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is to reduce disparities in health and healthcare by developing “leaders in service.” These leaders are individuals who are dedicated and skilled in helping underserved communities, and who influence and inspire others by example.

ASF also participates as the U.S. Affiliate on the Schweitzer Hospital's governing board, and in the AISL (Association Internationale pour l'oeuvre du Dr. Albert Schweitzer de Lambaréné - a collaborative international network of organizations committed to Dr. Schweitzer's legacy). ASF is also involved in the Fobang Foundation in Cameroon (a humanitarian organization for science and health), and supports the Commission for the Spiritual Work of Albert Schweitzer in Gunsbach, France, which maintains Dr. Schweitzer's original manuscripts, correspondence, and related materials.


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Over 150 new U.S. Schweitzer Fellows are supported annually, and at least 5 Africa Schweitzer Fellows. Students in a degree-granting program in a health-related field are eligible to apply through a local Schweitzer Fellows Program. See www.schweitzerfellowship.org for more details.