Watch Niam's fundraising video here!

Niam Vora, a University of Illinois Chicago Pharmacy student, aims to develop the nation’s first established Transitions of Coordinated Care program for post-incarcerated individuals with untreated Hepatitis C (HCV) released from the Illinois Department of Corrections. The program will serve as a case management program to ensure post-incarcerated populations have access to HCV medication, therapy, addictions services, health literacy resources, and insurance.

In order to facilitate this program, Niam seeks to raise $5000 in order to provide uninsured patients with access to counselling and HCV treatment, which are both extremely costly. This program aims to reduce the reinfection, relapse, and reincarceration of this severely underserved and marginalized patient population. 

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."