Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program

Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program is a grant from Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship that funds graduate students in health-related professions to design and implement year-long service-learning projects in underserved Chicago communities.

Founded in 1996, the program selects 26 exceptional fellows annually, offering a $2,750 stipend to support projects addressing social determinants of health, violence prevention, health education, and outreach to vulnerable populations including unhoused individuals, undocumented immigrants, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Eligible applicants are graduate students across medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and related disciplines from Chicago-area universities.

Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship Program - Health & Medicine Policy Research Group Chicago Area Schweitzer Program For more information contact: Karol Dean, Program Director, Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship, kdean@hmprg. org The 2025-26 Schweitzer Fellows are currently raising money to support their service-learning projects. Learn more and donate here .

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 26 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 lifestyle promotion, and outreach to vulnerable and marginalized groups. Our Fellows for Life alumni program supports our graduates’ further development as leaders in service and provides them with continuing networking, skill-building, and community service opportunities.

The Schweitzer Fellowship has the power to open the eyes of future healthcare professionals concerning the larger issues that have developed in terms of healthcare inequity. If there are more professionals that have this insight, then there is more possibility for change and movement in the right direction.

—Samantha Maurer, 2022–23 Fellow Since 1996, over 800 Chicago Schweitzer Fellows have completed more than 150,000 hours of community service at more than 150 community-based sites. In 2024-25 Fellows provided over 5,600 hours of service to over 2000 unique community members from diverse backgrounds, including people living with homelessness, undocumented immigrants, and LGBTQ+ populations.

For more information, download our 2024-25 Impact Report. The 2025-26 Schweitzer Fellows include 26 outstanding students representing 11 schools and 10 disciplines. The Program’s interdisciplinary approach exposes students to real-world inter-professional collaborative care.

Each of the Fellows will design and implement year-long projects to address a variety of urgent health needs (including social determinants of health) facing Chicago’s underserved communities. Athirai Ambikkumar , University of Illinois at Chicago, Medicine : After implementing a standardized social needs screener across volunteer-based clinics, Athirai identified a key gap between patient-reported and true food insecurity.

She now strengthens Chicagoland partnerships with community food resources to identify food insecurity near the clinic, improve service linkage, and establish measurable, sustainable interventions to reduce unmet need.

Maryam Amin , University of Illinois at Chicago, Pharmacy : Maryam partners with Hamdard Health Alliance’s Adult Program to provide culturally and linguistically responsive medication education and chronic disease support for older immigrant adults through trusted, community-based engagement.

Alexander Burdzy, University of Chicago, Medicine : Alex focuses on health literacy on Chicago’s South Side by delivering health education workshops in community settings while expanding the reach of the curriculum to Free Clinics. His goal is to help residents understand their health and navigate the healthcare system more easily.

Jessica Clay , Rush University, Nursing : Jessica’s project engages children in interactive, hands-on activities that teach the connection between environmental exposures and respiratory health. It inspires children to understand and protect their own health while fostering awareness of their local environment.

Brianne Coleman , University of Illinois Chicago, Social Work : Brianne implements a pilot trauma rehabilitation program for women and children impacted by domestic violence. The focus is on survivor-led Healing Circles and Community Resource Navigation & Empowerment Workshops to address trauma recovery and systemic barriers.

These initiatives combine culturally relevant emotional healing with practical skill-building and resource access to foster resilience, economic stability, and long-term health equity.

Emily Cyrwus , University of Illinois Chicago, Dentistry : Emily orchestrates a series of oral health initiatives, collaborating with a variety of Chicago-land senior living communities, to administer preventative and protective dental care to the older adult community.

These sessions foster social and mental wellbeing for the elders of our community, while enhancing their overall health through the benefits of tailored dental treatment.

Isabella del Muro , DePaul University, Public Health : Isabella’s project focuses on strengthening access to community-based doula support in Chicago to improve birth experiences and address racial inequities in maternal health through advocacy, education, and systems-level collaboration. Eriq Gasse, Midwestern University, Medicine : Eriq delivers an emergency preparedness education program for the immigrant community in Pilsen.

This program teaches immigrant families when to call 911 and how to interact with first responders as well as how to perform primary assessments, two-step CPR, and Stop the Bleed techniques.

Mahika Gopalka , Northwestern University, Medicine/Public Health : Mahie’s project focuses on health literacy, education, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals at Cook County Jail, to support improved healthcare navigation and long-term wellbeing.

Rachel Guthrie , National University of Health Sciences, Naturopathic Medicine : Rachel’s project with Black pregnant and postpartum women from Chicago’s southside will address the importance of maternal informed healthcare. The focus of this project is to promote self-advocacy to decrease negative maternal outcomes.

Jasmyn Hernandez , Rush University, Nursing : Jasmyn collaborates with new mothers to provide culturally concordant health information about physical and mental health particularly relevant in the postpartum period. Her goal is to build community, reduce stigma, and strengthen mental health education for families in Chicago.

Itisha Jefferson , Loyola University, Medicine : Itisha is committed to advancing health equity through dermatology-centered advocacy, community-engaged education, and correctional health initiatives. Her project provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive skin health, hygiene, and women’s wellness education for incarcerated women, centering dignity, self-worth, and access to practical health knowledge.

Toi Johnson , University of Illinois at Chicago, Nutrition : Toi is implementing a culinary literacy program that empowers low-income families and children to prevent chronic illness through hands-on education in macronutrient balance, budget-friendly shopping, and essential meal preparation. Zia Julka , Northeastern Illinois University, Mental Health Counseling : Zia is committed to advancing health equity through community engagement.

The project partners with parents of young children to offer trauma-informed workshops and accessible resources aimed at strengthening family wellbeing and reducing the long-term impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences especially in under-resourced communities.

KiAundra Kilpatrick , Loyola University, Medicine : KiAundra initiates emergency preparedness workshops for Black families, specifically expectant mothers, first time parents, and parents of children in early childhood.

The workshops will provide education about medical emergencies and implementation of pre-EMS arrival care in conjunction with serving as a support structure for Black families navigating parenthood during the early childhood years. Tanaya Kollipara, University of Chicago, Medicine: Tanaya is committed to advancing equity-driven, community-rooted preventive care for underserved communities.

Her project partners with Chicago community organizations to deliver culturally responsive bone health and fall-prevention education, early-risk identification tools, and patient empowerment resources aimed at preventing fragility fractures and preserving mobility, independence, and quality of life among older adults.

Shreya Kurup , University of Illinois at Chicago, Medicine : Shreya is leading a community-driven musculoskeletal health education program for unhoused and low-income adults attending meal services at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Her project focuses on accessible, engaging education about functional mobility, injury prevention, pain management, and early recognition of musculoskeletal symptoms that require medical evaluation.

Mitchell Leus, Rosalind Franklin University, Medicine : Mitchell holds weekly peer-support and social-services navigation programming in partnership with Pride in Aging at Center on Halsted. This work seeks to reduce social isolation, cultivate community support, and improve mental health outcomes among aging LGBTQ+ community members in Chicago.

Lori Lopez , Loyola University, Social Work : Lori implements in-person and technology facilitated coaching for aging adults experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The coaching and events will foster agency, advance digital equity, and increase well-being.

Daniela Maciel, Rosalind Franklin University, Medicine: Daniela’s project focuses on advancing reproductive justice in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago by expanding equitable, culturally grounded access to family planning and contraceptive care for undocumented and uninsured reproductive-aged women through trusted community partnerships and low-barrier services.

Arwen Martin, Rush University, Medicine : Arwen’s project provides caregivers in environmentally overburdened Chicago neighborhoods with practical tools, education, and guidance to recognize early signs of respiratory issues in their children, reduce exposure to environmental triggers at home, and connect families to healthcare resources.

Eva Offutt, Rush University, Audiology : Eva Offutt establishes care coordination services for people experiencing homelessness, healthcare instability, or other challenges. The care coordination program pairs caregivers with a guide who is with them as they navigate evaluation, diagnosis, and intervention for children with developmental delays.

Ciara Stanton , Rush University, Nursing : Ciara partners with the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Healthy Lifestyle Hub to facilitate an intergenerational brain health workshop series and seminar. By bringing generations together, the project builds shared language, reduces stigma, and strengthens community support systems to improve coping and resilience in Auburn Gresham and surrounding communities.

Emilia Stoian , Midwestern University, Medicine : Emilia focuses on improving language access in healthcare by supporting medical English education for limited-English-proficient adults in the Chicagoland area. She partners with English language programs to support adult ESL classrooms by providing students with healthcare and insurance system navigation resources and integrating medical English learning units into existing curricula.

Abigail Suleman , University of Illinois at Chicago, Nursing : Abby curates a Doula Sister Circle which involved skill-building workshops and a psychosocial peer support group for Black doulas who provide racially-concordant care to clients on the South and West sides of Chicago.

This space will empower doulas through mentorship and skills to prevent, identify, and recover from burnout, ultimately improving the impact of their maternal health work on Black birthing families.

Maya Tsingos, Rush University, Medicine : Maya partners with the Chicago Poetry Center to develop a health-centric poetry curriculum for K-12 students, using creative expression as a tool for emotional wellness, health equity, and youth empowerment.

Shazaad Ahmed, Chicago State University, Social Work: Shazaad proposes an initiative to support older LGBTQIA+ adults in the Chicago area that provides opportunities for community engagement. The initiative will center around focus groups and regular meetings to foster connection and inclusion and reduce participant isolation.

Abdalla Ali, University of Illinois Chicago, Pharmacy: Abdalla will partner with IMAN Health Center to provide workshops on a major diabetic medication side effect: hypoglycemia. These workshops would engage the neighborhood of Chicago Lawn, which has a high prevalence of diabetes, with an aim to reduce rates of hypoglycemic emergencies.

Andrea Mia Bejar, Northwestern University, Medicine: Andrea will initiate bilingual classes and one-on-one services to help Latino patients in Chicago. The classes will educate patients on radiology services such as cancer screenings, and the sessions will provide support with scheduling and financing medical imaging to increase access to this vital healthcare service.

Shanthi Cambala, Midwestern University, Medicine: Shanthi proposes to create a healthcare careers professional development program with Chicago Scholars. This program will provide mentorship and skill development for first-generation college students who are interested in pursuing healthcare careers.

DeAndrea Carter, Benedictine University, Nursing: DeAndrea is collaborating with the Harvey Brooks Foundation to address food disparities in the Joliet area. Her project focuses on bridging this gap through nutrition education and hands-on cooking classes, empowering the community to make healthier choices to improve their overall health.

Mary Chaudhry, Midwestern University, Medicine: Mary’s project aims to improve healthcare access for underserved communities.

Her proposed project at the Hamdard Center addresses healthcare disparities in South Asian and other immigrant communities through culturally tailored preventative health education workshops and screenings, empowering individuals to take proactive steps in managing chronic conditions and improving overall health outcomes.

Catherine Chen, Northwestern University, Medicine: Catherine proposes implementing a reproductive health education program for Asian American parents and students at Project Vision in Chinatown. The program aims to increase knowledge, reduce stigma, and improve parent-child communication about reproductive and women’s health through bilingual workshops and interactive discussions.

Samuel Chen , University of Chicago, Medicine: Sam will co-create trauma-focused programming by and for men returning from long-term incarceration in Chicago. With his Schweitzer year, he plans to use a participatory action framework to empower community members affected by the criminal-legal system, helping them shape their own programming, activism, and impact.

Lauryn Coleman, Loyola University Chicago, Social Work: Lauryn proposes developing a career exploration program for middle school students on Chicago’s West Side. The program would offer hands-on activities, mentorship, and exposure to diverse career paths through structured and interactive workshops. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and confidence to pursue future educational and career opportunities.

Diana Dao, National University of Health Sciences, Naturopathic Medicine: Diana’s proposed project focuses on improving nutrition health literacy in underserved communities by providing interactive workshops on food education, empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices and reduce their risk of chronic diseases.

Ayanah Dowdye, Rush University, Medicine: Ayanah will launch Sister Strong, a wellness-based affinity space for young women from predominately marginalized backgrounds at a high school in Chicago, providing mentorship, creative expression, and interactive workshops designed to foster confidence, resilience, and empowerment.

Andrew Kim, Rosalind Franklin University, Medicine: Andrew will expand a Diabetes Prevention Program for high-risk patients at Lawndale Christian Health Center. The program provides contextualized, CDC-sponsored, evidence-based education and equips patients to best-practice lifestyle changes, partnerships with local stakeholders, and group-based accountability/support. This supports community health and flourishing.

Dominik Kucirek, University of Chicago, Medicine: Dominik proposes to create a peer support program for transgender patients at the Trans CARE Clinic. Weekly support groups and peer-to-peer navigation will help empower transgender patients and keep them safely engaged in care.

Hannah Lewis, University of Illinois Chicago, Social Work: Hannah’s project seeks to combat youth suicide by fostering community, connection, and mental health awareness through structured educational sessions. Group sessions will include skill-building activities and informal social events, ensuring that middle and high school students have the tools and support needed to recognize warning signs and promote emotional well-being.

Karina Mak, Loyola University, Medicine: Karina proposes to host informational and consultation sessions for aging individuals in the South Side of Chicago to improve the accessibility of advanced care planning (ACP) services at community-living settings in the SHARE Network. These sessions will provide education and help aging adults to discuss and document their end-of-life wishes.

Andrew Mohama, Rush University, Medicine: Andrew’s project builds upon the efforts of the organization Working Bikes to help empower underserved Chicagoans to build community, reduce loneliness, and improve mobility. Andrew firmly believes that bicycles are more than transportation and exercise-they are tools for community connection, joy, and health equity.

Yasemin Mumay, University of Illinois Chicago, Dentistry: Yasemin proposes implementing an interactive oral health education program for children and caregivers at El Valor, focusing on preventive care through classroom activities, hands-on demonstrations, and caregiver workshops to promote lifelong healthy habits.

Jennifer Nacnac, Rush University, Nursing: Jennifer proposes a program for teens in collaboration with Healthy Hood Chicago. This initiative will provide workshops focused on healthy relationship dynamics, sexual health equity, and emotional support, equipping teens with the knowledge and resources to navigate these critical topics.

Ugonna (ooh-GUN-nah) Nwakudu, University of Illinois Chicago, Medicine: Ugonna hopes to combine her interest in pediatrics with her love for performance by conducting improv workshops for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions at City Elementary, a K-8 school in Hyde Park.

The classes will provide a safe space for children to build on their interpersonal skills and process their emotions, paving the way for better mental health outcomes. Maryam Othman, University of Illinois Chicago, Dentistry: Maryam will launch a program focused on educating Arab children and their families about oral hygiene by fostering a supportive environment in which they will feel comfortable seeking dental care.

Eric Peprah Osei, University of Illinois Chicago, Nursing: Eric will initiate interactive, culturally focused educational seminars in Chicago, Illinois, for Black individuals with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. The course will focus on health literacy and lifestyle modifications.

The sessions will cover topics such as keeping families healthy as well as treating, managing, and preventing challenges related to type 2 diabetes among this underserved population. Nikita Rabbitt, Northwestern University, Physical Therapy: Nikita proposes to create dance and movement arts classes for foster youth to promote self-efficacy and build emotional regulation among participants.

Victoria Roehl, North Park University, Nursing: Victoria will initiate classes to help cancer survivors at the UIC Cancer Center create a mindful road map for self-care in their survivorship journey by SMART goal setting. The classes will provide education and a digital guidebook of resources to strengthen the support system for these individuals.

Christina Rogers, Rush University, Medicine: Christina proposes to implement workshops for underserved older adults and their caregivers. The workshops will focus on evidence-based lifestyle behaviors-such as physical activity, cognitive engagement, social interaction, and adherence to the MIND diet-to address cognitive health disparities and improve quality of life.

Sondra Ross, Chamberlain University, Nursing: Sondra will initiate case management, mental health classes, and fairs for the southeast side of Joliet, IL community at the Harvey Brooks Foundation for those affected by the innate stressors of food insecurity. The classes, case management, and mental health symposiums will provide education, training, and ongoing support for the affected community.

Courtney Savage-Hoggard, Loyola University, Medicine: Courtney’s project seeks to reduce maternal health disparities for Black and Latino women in Chicago by delivering culturally tailored health education workshops, training healthcare providers in culturally competent care, and advocating for policy reforms that empower women to navigate healthcare systems post-Roe v. Wade.

Each spring, 26 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows are selected from applications submitted by students in a diversity of fields, including but not limited to medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, social work, psychology, pharmacy, physical therapy, law, nutrition, art therapy, dance/movement therapy, and acupuncture.

The Fellowship is an opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary group of students committed to working in divested communities. In addition to the individual service projects, Fellows work in interdisciplinary learning collaborative groups, expanding their knowledge and capacities.

Fellows are required to attend a weekend orientation, a mid-year retreat, monthly meetings, service days, and the annual celebration event at the conclusion of the program year. Fellows receive a stipend of $2,750 (paid in four installments).

Program Elements and Requirements: Working in collaboration with an existing local community agency, each Fellow designs and implements a service project that addresses an unmet community health need.

Fellowship projects include the following: A minimum of 200 hours of service (including 130 hours conducting a community service project that is focused on direct, face-to-face contact with the population being served) Guidance from mentors, including a Site Mentor at the hosting community agency, an Academic Mentor at the student’s academic institution, and Program mentors Monthly progress reports on the Fellow’s project Monthly evening meetings in the Chicago Loop A written report at the conclusion of the project, including recommendations for ways in which the most valuable aspects of the Fellow’s project and experiences can be replicated or sustained Eligibility: Any student who will be enrolled at least part-time in a health-related, graduate-level degree-granting program during the Fellowship year is welcome to apply.

Please note that two exceptions to this are medical and podiatry students who will be entering their third year of medical school. Medical and podiatry students who will be in their first, second, or fourth year during the Fellowship year are eligible.

Prior to Applying: Prospective Fellows should be prepared to partner with an existing community agency to design and implement a community service project that provides a direct service to a historically excluded population. Interested students should investigate and reflect on the strengths and assets of the community they hope to partner with, and the unmet health-related needs that exist in Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Applicants might reflect on ways their own energies and talents might contribute to change. In proposing a project, applicants should keep in mind how their idea leverages the community’s strengths, addresses unmet health needs, and might be of enduring value to the community. Application Guidelines: Applicants should be creative in developing their applications.

They may choose to develop an original project proposal or propose the continuation of a project initiated by a previous Schweitzer Fellow. Keep in mind that research, administrative, fundraising, and policy-based projects are not considered eligible projects. Applicants may find inspiration in reviewing past Schweitzer Fellows’ Projects and partnering agencies.

A Community Site Guide of over 150 Chicago-area community-based organizations that would welcome a Fellow is available upon request. For more information, please refer to the 2026-2027 Application Rubric , which is used to review all Fellowship applications. Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are now closed.

Information regarding the 2027-28 cohort will be available in Fall 2026. We’re excited to share two short videos that highlight the Schweitzer Fellowship experience. The first features reflections from recent Fellows about what they appreciated from the program.

In the second, Fellows use one word to describe their experience as a Schweitzer Fellow. For further information, please contact Karol Dean, Program Director, at kdean@hmprg. org , 312 372-4292 ext.

31. With its collaborative and interprofessional nature, the Schweitzer Fellowship was an instrumental opportunity to build a network of driven, like-minded individuals. All in all, I hope to utilize the connections made through the Schweitzer Fellowship for the rest of my career.

–Christianah Ogunleye, 2018–19 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow Since 2006, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program has provided programming for our Fellows for Life, alumni of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship living in the Chicago area.

The Chicago Fellows for Life program aims to further engage alumni in Albert Schweitzer’s ideals and provide opportunities for networking between alumni, community engagement, leadership, professional development, and a sense of camaraderie amongst a group of like-minded individuals.

Fellows for Life Seed Grants For the past several years, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program has been able to offer seed grants to Fellows for Life interested in beginning, sustaining, or building on innovative community projects that help underserved Chicago communities. The application period for Seed Grants is now closed. Check back for updates in Spring 2026.

Current Seed Grant Projects Ismihan Uddin, 2024–2025 Fellow for Life Mobile Health and Harm Reduction Services with Chi-Care Ismihan Uddin will expand Chi-Care’s mobile medical services to individuals experiencing homelessness across the Chicagoland area.

Working through mobile medical vans, the project provides accessible screenings, preventive care, and treatment for both chronic and acute conditions—including diabetes, heart disease, and hypo/hyperthermia.

Jesse Gamoran, 2024–2025 Fellow for Life Evaluating Photovoice Support Groups at The Boulevard Jesse Gamoran will continue his Schweitzer Fellowship project at The Boulevard, a medical respite shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. His work evaluates the impact of photovoice-based support groups on residents’ sense of community and staff well-being.

Dr. Lincoln Hill, 2018–2019 Fellow for Life Black Feminist Study Group Dr. Lincoln Hill, founder and psychologist at The Center for Liberation & Wellness, will launch a Black Feminist Study Group for Black women and women of color on Chicago’s South Side.

Integrating elements of a social book club, academic seminar, and communal healing space, the group centers foundational Black feminist texts to strengthen connection, critical consciousness, and collective learning.

For 25 years, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program has provided a platform for graduate students to design and implement innovative projects that improve the health and well-being of underserved populations throughout Chicago. In collaboration with existing Chicagoland organizations, fellows use a broad public health lens to improve well-being and target the social determinants of health.

Looking for a meaningful way to support the next generation of aspiring health professionals? Consider sponsoring a Named Fellowship at the Health & Medicine’s Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program. For more information, please reach out to Shannon Sweetnam, Director of Development and Communications at ssweetnam@hmprg.

org . The Larry J. Goodman, MD Fellowship aims to provide mentorship and support to individuals dedicated to making a difference in health equity in disinvested Chicago communities.

Funded by David Ansell, MD, Senior Vice President for Community Health Equity at Rush University Medical Center, this fellowship honors Dr. Goodman’s remarkable contributions to healthcare, his passion for mentoring, and his enduring commitment to addressing health disparities, particularly on the West side of Chicago. The Tarik F. Ibrahim MD, MS Fellowship recognizes and honors the life and legacy of Tarik F.

Ibrahim by naming an outstanding Fellow working with underserved populations. This honors Dr. Ibrahim’s calling of ensuring the health and well-being of underserved populations and his passion for service and charity within the field of medicine. His legacy continues to inspire those in the medical field to prioritize compassion and excellence in patient care.

Named in honor of Frank Indihar, MD—whose grandniece, Kelly Moore (née Koronkowski), was a 2020-2021 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow—the Frank J.

Indihar, MD Fellowship was established to provide mentorship and support for those looking to make a difference in underserved Chicago communities, particularly in the fields of nursing, pharmacy, and medicine, and to honor Dr. Indihar’s work as a physician, philanthropist, and lifelong mentor to aspiring medical professionals.

The Ashok Jagasia, MD, PhD CURE Fellowship supports graduate health students working to expand access to specialty care for medically underserved populations. Named for Dr. Jagasia’s visionary leadership and commitment to health equity, this Fellowship builds upon the work of the CURE Initiative—advancing high-impact service projects at the intersection of otolaryngology and community care.

Named by her family and friends, the Leslie Nickels MEd, PhD Fellowship honors the rich legacy of service, mentorship, and leadership of Leslie Nickels, MEd, PhD. Dr. Nickels championed the important role of government in worker health and safety, the need to empower workers, and working with the practice community.

The Bob and Caryle Perlman Fellowship was established to provide mentorship and support to those looking to make a difference in underserved Chicago communities. Wishing they had access to a program like the Schweitzer Fellowship early on in their own careers, Bob and Caryle feel it’s important to give back now to the next generation of service-minded health and human service professionals.

Larry Goodman served as both CEO of Rush University Medical Center and President of Rush University from February 2002 until mid-2019. Additionally, Dr. Goodman was the first CEO of the Rush University System for Health, serving from 2017 to May 2019. He holds the academic rank of professor of Internal Medicine and is the University’s emeritus James A.

Campbell, MD, Distinguished Service Endowed Professor. During his tenure, Rush became nationally recognized for excellence in patient care, breakthrough research, and the quality of its educational programs. Dr. Goodman also led innovative community partnerships to reduce inequities and returned Rush to a position of solid financial strength.

“I established the Larry J. Goodman, MD Fellowship to honor a remarkable leader and mentor whose contributions have profoundly impacted healthcare,” says Ansell. “My hope is that this fellowship will inspire and support the next generation of healthcare professionals dedicated to serving underserved communities and advancing health equity.

Together, we can continue Dr. Goodman’s legacy of excellence and compassion in medicine. ” 2025–26 Larry J. Goodman, MD Fellow Christina Rogers , Rush University, Medicine About Tarik F.

Ibrahim, MD, MS Each year, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group recognizes the life and legacy of Tarik Ibrahim by naming an outstanding Fellow working with underserved populations the Tarik F. Ibrahim MD, MS Schweitzer Fellow. This honors Dr. Ibrahim’s calling of ensuring the health and well-being of underserved populations and his passion for service and charity within the field of medicine.

It was created by a Fellow for Life who was deeply inspired by Dr. Ibrahim’s life: “The legacy that I want to share about Tarik Ibrahim is that he was the most selfless person I’ve ever met. His character and accomplishments were undoubtedly a reflection of the love and support he received throughout his life from his parents. He was so giving of himself to others in every aspect of his life.

Treating his friends and family with love, care and compassion were instinctive to him, as it was to treat strangers like friends, as it was to offer himself in the little free time he had to be of service to others and help mentor medical students and younger residents. He never once complained about the hours he worked or how little time he had to himself. He truly enjoyed being a doctor and caring for the sick.

It was his calling. It brought him joy and filled him with life. ” Tarik F.

Ibrahim was born on September 2, 1981, in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. He graduated from Penn State College of Medicine in 2010 and completed a neurosurgical residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Ibrahim’s academic achievements include 39 publications and presentations, with first authorship on several.

Notably, he found a treatable cause—now known as the Tarik Syndrome —when one of his patients developed what was thought to be permanent blindness following spinal surgery. Loyola University Vice Chairman of Neurological Surgery Dr. Russ P.

Nockles reflected on Dr. Ibrahim’s discovery as “sight saving scholarly work …it will always stand as a testament to Tarik’s astonishing passion for helping patients when all else had presumably failed. ” Because of his accomplishments, Dr. Ibrahim was accepted to the prestigious skull base and cranial nerve surgery fellowship at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

Everyone who met him remembers his warm smile, caring heart, and affectionate demeanor. Thanks to Dr. Ibrahim’s dedicated research, occipital lobe seizures and status epilepticus amauroticus (SEA) should now be considered as a possible cause of postoperative vision loss. If SEA is with aggressive antiseizure treatment, permanent vision loss may be prevented.

This scientific breakthrough is now aptly named Tarik Syndrome. Learn more about the Tarik F. Ibrahim MD, MS Fellowship here.

2025-26 Tarik F. Ibrahim MD, MS Fellow Andrew Mohama, Rush University, Medicine • Ibrahim TF, Sweis RT, Nockels RP. Reversible Postoperative Blindness caused by Bilateral Status Epilepticus Amauroticus Following Thoracolumbar Deformity Correction: Case Report, Journal of Neurosurgery, 2017 April, 1-5.

• Ziegler A, Spencer D, Nockles RP, Leonetti, J, Ibrahim TF. Tarik Syndrome: Reversible Postoperative Blindness Secondary to Occipital Seizures. World Neurosurgery, (2019) 131:58-61.)

https://doi. org/10. 1016/j.

wneu. 2019. 07.

186 • Ziegler A, Spencer D, Nockels R, Ibrahim T, Leonetti J. Reversible Postoperative Blindness Secondary to Occipital Seizures: Tarik Syndrome. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery annual