Anne Osuji, a medical student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, proposes to sustain and expand the DASH of Soul Food program, a program designed to improve high blood pressure based on DASH diet principles adapted to culturally appropriate recipes.  This program at Deborah’s Place, a supportive housing program for women with previous experiences with homelessness, will incorporate heart healthy recipes, dietary lifestyle modifications and wellness practices to empower women impacted by housing and food insecurity. The sessions held at Deborah's Place will feature live cooking demonstrations, meal preparation education, and an educational cookbook! 

Anne hopes to raise money for groceries and the cooking equipment/tools needed for the cooking demonstrations throughout her fellowship; the development and distribution of the new and improved cookbook; and grocery store cards for the women to use to kickstart their heart healthy journey! Thank you for your support!

Founded in 1996, Health & Medicine’s Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program cultivates aspiring health and human services professionals to be informed, concerned, and involved with addressing health inequities. Each year, the Schweitzer Program provides 30 exceptional students with opportunities to design and implement projects to improve the health and well-being of underserved Chicago communities. Fellows’ projects often address the social determinants of health, and their activities frequently include tutoring, violence prevention, health education, healthy lifestyles promotion, and outreach to vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Through their community projects and participation in a year-long program that includes mentoring support, monthly meetings, written reflection, and interprofessional collaboration, Schweitzer Fellows develop the skills and confidence needed to become Leaders in Service—professionals who will remain dedicated to public service and creating change.

Each of the Fellows has created a wish list of supplies and resources that will help them bring their project goals to life. Please consider supporting a specific Fellow project or donating to the general Schweitzer project fund.

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program is a program of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Your Fellows Fest donation will appear on your credit card statement as "Health & Medicine."