Watch Brice's fundraising video here!

Brice Jones, MD/MPH student, is developing a project to address youth gun violence. Specifically, he is using his previous analysis of the social and structural drivers of health that lead to heighten gun violence, to establish intervention points. He will be utilizing a youth community-based participatory approach, as well as leveraging community stakeholders to educate, establish resources, and provide a safe space to unpack trauma, in order to combat firearm violence amongst the youth. Medicine and healthcare often use secondary and tertiary practices to combat health disparities and gun violence. Often, these methods provide a Band-Aid to a much bigger wound, which is the underlying social and structural drivers and systemic issues that have negatively impacted historically marginalized and minoritized communities. Establishing primary prevention methods through investing in these communities and addressing health inequities, has shown to be an effective and strong method to combating gun violence and increasing life expectancy.

Brice seeks to raise $1,000 for student resources, in addition to another $1,000 to provide training and skills to address gun violence in their communities. 

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."