The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship has announced that Seton Hill University graduate student Patti Ghubril, of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been selected as a 2010-2011 Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellow.

Over the next year, Ghubril, who is studying art therapy at Seton Hill University, will join approximately 200 Schweitzer Fellows across the United States in conceptualizing and conducting service projects that will address the unmet health-related needs of underserved individuals and communities.

Ghubril’s project, “Art and Soul,” is a collaborative art project designed to increase self-esteem and resiliency in women living in the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pa. According to Ghubril, the project will encourage expression both as an individual and in a group. Ghubril’s project will culminate with the installation of a women’s collaborative art project.

“I hope the relationships formed between the women in our Art and Soul groups will remain as strong bonds of social support beyond our time together,” said Ghubril. “I also hope that the art project we create together will be an empowering sign of group strength and creativity. I want this to lead to longer lasting creative initiatives to support the women in the community.”

“Patti has a long history of providing leadership in her role as volunteer resource manager of the Pittsburgh Project, an urban community development non-profit organization,” said Nina Denninger, associate professor and program director for Seton Hill University’s graduate Art Therapy Program. “In her capacity as a Schweitzer fellow, Patti will combine her expertise as a community activist with her growing understanding of the way art can be used to address unmet health-related needs in the Pittsburgh community.”

Upon completion of the initial Fellowship year, Ghubril will become one of the Schweitzer Fellows for Life and join a network of 2,000 individuals who are skilled in, and committed to, addressing the health needs of underserved people throughout their careers as professionals.

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) is a national nonprofit organization that works to address health disparities by developing Leaders in Service, individuals who are dedicated and skilled in meeting the health needs of underserved communities, and whose example influences and inspires others. Each year, ASF selects and supports approximately 200 Fellows from the nation’s top health and human service schools as they partner with community-based organizations to develop and implement service projects with a direct and lasting impact on the health of underserved communities. Annually, United States Schweitzer Fellows deliver more than 40,000 hours of health-related community service.