Katie Murphy, a graduate student in Human Development and Public Health, Perelman School of Medicine and University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education, was selected as a 2012 Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellow by The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF). Murphy's fellowship will fund her work which aims to strengthen health navigation skills and improve knowledge of child development among undocumented Mexican immigrants living in South Philadelphia.
Working with Puentes De Salud's women's groups, Murphy will help develop a curriculum on child health and development.
"Throughout the application and interview process, Katie's clear track record of working with underserved populations impressed our selection committee - as did her well-articulated, specific, and measurable approach to addressing the social determinants of health," said Nicole Moore, Director, Greater Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows Program. "Additionally, with her international experience, previous leadership roles, and demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary learning, it was clear that Katie would bring a unique and enriching perspective to this year's group of Fellows."
Kara Cohen, a graduate student at University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing, was also selected as a Fellow in this year's class. Cohen's research responds to the podiatric needs of homeless individuals in Philadelphia at the Ridge Avenue Men's Shelter. A full news release on Cohen's research is available here.
The approximately 240 Fellows selected nationwide will all help carry out ASF's mission by pursing service projects targeting health issues in underserved communities. After completing the yearlong fellowship, the students become Schweitzer Fellows for Life, joining nearly 2,500 others trained and dedicated to responding to the health needs of underserved people.
Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service. The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.
The Perelman School of Medicine is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $550 million awarded in the 2022 fiscal year. Home to a proud history of “firsts” in medicine, Penn Medicine teams have pioneered discoveries and innovations that have shaped modern medicine, including recent breakthroughs such as CAR T cell therapy for cancer and the mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System’s patient care facilities stretch from the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore. These include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Lancaster General Health, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation’s first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.
Penn Medicine is an $11.1 billion enterprise powered by more than 49,000 talented faculty and staff.