Meghan Murphy, a Saint Xavier University Master of Science Nursing student, has partnered with Heartland Health Centers to increase health literacy and health awareness in Spanish-speaking residents of Albany Park through a program called iSalud. She will initiate a series of interactive weekly and monthly health workshops aimed at diabetes, hypertension, and other health topics most relevant to the Albany Park neighborhood. Additionally, participants will be empowered to take ownership of health information and become advocates and sources of health information for their families, friends, coworkers and community.  

Meghan seeks to raise $2,500. Some funds will also go towards interactive activities such as cooking classes while the rest will be for grocery gift cards, pharmacy gift cards, and monitoring supplies (ex. test strips, blood pressure monitors) to give to participants in the program. 

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."