Mark Balceniuk, a second-year physical therapy major at Duquesne University’s Rangos School of Health Sciences, has been selected as a 2010-11 Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellow.
Through the Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program, students partner with community-based organizations to develop and implement yearlong service projects that meet the health needs of Pittsburgh’s most underserved populations.
Balceniuk aims to address the health and well-being of Pittsburgh’s underserved senior citizens by working with community center residents regarding exercise, prevention of chronic and life-threatening diseases, and nutrition. He will also incorporate field trips for the senior citizens.
“My biggest goal is that the people who I am working with learn something from my project,” said Balceniuk, who is one of only 18 Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows. “I want the residents of this center to learn about how fitness and wellness can impact their health and what they can do to live longer and healthier lives.”
Upon completion of his initial fellowship year, Balceniuk will become a Schweitzer Fellow for Life and join a network of more than 2,000 individuals who are skilled in, and committed to, addressing the health needs of underserved people throughout their careers as professionals.
Balceniuk is a resident of Doylestown, Pa.
