For Release: April 23, 2014
Contact: Derik Hertel (603) 650-1211 Derik.Hertel@Dartmouth.EDU

Nine Students at Geisel School of Medicine Named New Hampshire-Vermont Schweitzer Fellows

Hanover, N.H.—Congratulations to the nine students at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth selected as 2014-2015 New Hampshire-Vermont Schweitzer Fellows by the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, named for the famous physician-humanitarian.

Geisel's Schweitzer fellows will join the approximately 220 Schweitzer Fellows across the nation in developing and implementing service projects that address the root causes of health disparities in under-resourced communities, while at the same time fulfilling their academic responsibilities as full time students. Each project is implemented in collaboration with a community-based organization.

"Service to the community and reducing health disparities is an important part of our mission," said Wiley "Chip" Souba, MD, ScD, MBA, dean of the Geisel School of Medicine. "Albert Schweitzer was a great humanitarian and is role model for our students at Geisel. I'm very proud of our students who have been named to this prestigious fellowship. Their leadership and passion for this work will help level the playing field and improve lives."

This year's Schweitzer Fellows from the Geisel School of Medicine are:

  • Cristina Alcorta
    Partnering with Dismas House, Cristina will organize a network of medical school volunteers to provide support and advocacy for individuals transitioning back into the community after incarceration.
    Community Site: Dismas House, Hartford, VT
  • Kimberly Betts, Nicole Moraco
    Kimberly and Nicole will help local seniors to keep healthy and active in body and mind through weekly exercise classes, nutrition workshops, and participation in the Memory Café.
    Community Site: Aging Resource Center, Lebanon, NH
  • Escar Kusema, Jose Porras
    Working in partnership with the Good Neighbor Health Clinic, Escar and Jose will expand free health clinic services in the Upper Valley. Using the newly established clinic at The Upper Valley Haven as a model, they plan to bring primary care services to other local organizations serving underserved families and individuals.
    Community Site: Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Upper Valley Haven, Wilder, VT
  • TingJia Lorigiano, Emi Manuia
    TingJia and Emi will create "Girl Power" mentoring program at Indian River School. By establishing peer-mentor relationships between marginalized 6th grade girls and 8th and 10th grade role models, they will empower the girls with skills to develop their confidence, healthy behaviors, and leadership skills.
    Community Site: Indian River School, Enfield, NH
  • Lars Matkin, David Whitehead
    Lars and David will develop a mentoring program that matches high school boys with 5th/6th grade boys in Lebanon, NH. Designed to develop self-esteem, responsibility and a sense of purpose for the middle schoolers, this program will also foster an appreciation for exercise and the environment.
    Community Site: Carter Community Building, Lebanon, NH

Upon completion of their Fellowship year, these Geisel students will become Schweitzer Fellows for Life—and join a vibrant network of nearly 3,000 individuals who are skilled in, and committed to, addressing the health needs of underserved people throughout their careers as professionals. Fellows for Life often report that ASF is integral to sustaining their commitment to serving those in need. Read the full release and learn more about the Schweitzer Fellowship at www.schweitzerfellowship.org.

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, founded in 1797, strives to improve the lives of the communities it serves through excellence in learning, discovery, and healing. The nation's fourth-oldest medical school, the Geisel School of Medicine has been home to many firsts in medical education, research and practice, including the discovery of the mechanism for how light resets biological clocks, creating the first multispecialty intensive care unit, the first comprehensive examination of U.S. health care variations (The Dartmouth Atlas), and helping establish the first Center for Health Care Delivery Science, which launched in 2010. As one of America's top medical schools, Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine is committed to training new generations of diverse health care leaders who will help solve our most vexing challenges in health care.

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