#USA #Tulsa #UTulsa #Albert Schweitzer Fellowship #Rachel Gold

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship National Office Relocates to The University of Tulsa

Introduction
The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) has made headlines recently with the announcement of the relocation of the national office of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) from Boston to its own Oxley College of Health and Natural Sciences. This significant move marks a new chapter for the ASF, a prestigious leadership development program founded by the renowned physician and humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer in 1940.

The Role of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
The ASF aims to cultivate a new generation of health leaders through its immersive programming for graduate and professional studies students. With chapters across the nation, the Fellowship is dedicated to serving under-resourced populations, empowering fellows to create and lead innovative health initiatives in collaboration with local communities. This commitment not only equips fellows with essential skills and experiences but also contributes meaningfully to the health sector across the U.S.

Why UTulsa?
The selection of UTulsa as the new headquarters for the ASF was influenced primarily by the appointment of Rachel Gold as the executive director. Gold has been pivotal in establishing the Tulsa chapter of ASF in 2015, under which 111 Schweitzer Fellows have collectively donated over 23,000 hours of service, positively impacting the lives of more than 8,000 residents in Tulsa through partnerships with over 70 local nonprofits, schools, and clinics.

Gold expressed that both the city of Tulsa and UTulsa provide a strategic vantage point for the ASF. She remarked, “As a city and a university, we're at the crossroads of community health efforts that address urban, rural, and tribal needs and opportunities.” This highlight emphasizes the dual focus on local community needs and a broader vision of fostering health leadership.

Future Aspirations
One of Gold's key priorities as the new executive director will be to develop strategic leadership opportunities and foster collaborations with the ASF's expansive network of alumni, exceeding 4,000 individuals. With the national office now in Tulsa, there is a renewed focus on enhancing the capacity and strength of various ASF chapters across the country. Gold envisions that over time, the ASF will expand its infrastructure and provide much-needed technical assistance to groups that align with its mission of building a robust community health leadership movement.

Gold draws inspiration from Dr. Schweitzer's philosophy of Reverence for Life, which she emphasizes as being crucial in the ministry of the Fellowship. She notes that this philosophy encourages fellows to center the humanity and complexities of individuals and communities in their work. “[Reverence for Life] manifests in Fellows and FFL as deep curiosity, setting ambitious and measurable goals and navigating boulders by adapting and responding as contexts, interests, and needs change,” she elaborates.

Conclusion
As the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship sets down roots in Tulsa, the national office is poised to strengthen community health initiatives and cultivate health leaders equipped to tackle the pressing challenges faced by underserved populations. Under Rachel Gold's stewardship, there is optimism for innovative approaches and empowered partnerships that will arise in the coming years as the ASF embraces its new home in Oklahoma.

This transition signifies a major step forward in the ongoing mission to foster leadership in health, driven by empathy and action, thereby embodying Dr. Schweitzer's legacy.