Karie Stewart, MPH, RN is an advanced nurse practitioner student, specializing in midwifery, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over the next year, she will be working closely with the PCC Wellness Austin Family Health Center as the facilitator of their Centering Pregnancy program. Centering Pregnancy® is a model for group prenatal care which brings women with similar due dates out of the exam room and into a comfortable group setting. This healthcare model will assist pregnant mothers in learning how to take ownership of their pregnancy, become more empowered to choose health-promoting behaviors and become more confident in caring for their child after delivery. The intended long-term impacts of the program are decreasing infant mortality rates in the Austin community, encouraging early continuous prenatal care among the pregnant patients of the Austin clinic, and increasing the number of breastfed children in the Austin neighborhood. Karie is seeking to raise $3,000 to provide each group member a Baby Box and breastfeeding supplies such as nursing breast pads, nipple shields, breast milk storage bags, and a baby bag. These supplies and baby box will provide the new mother with the necessary resources and a great start at caring for her newborn.

The Schweitzer Fellowship is a year-long service learning program for graduate students in health-related professions who will design and implement innovative direct service projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of underserved Chicago area communities. Through their community projects and participation in a year-long program that includes mentoring support, monthly meetings, written reflection, and interprofessional collaboration, Schweitzer Fellows are developing the skills and confidence needed to become Leaders in Service—professionals who will remain dedicated to public service and to creating change.

In the summer of 2016, the Schweitzer Fellows for Life network launched FellowsFest 2016 (formerly Summer Fest), a campaign to help support our current Fellows' projects. Each of the Fellows has created a "wish list" of supplies and resources that will help them realize their service project goals.

The Chicago Areas Schweitzer Fellowship is a program of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Your Summer Fest donation will appear on your credit card statement at "Health & Medicine."