Home » Nine students commit to summer of service with Frontier Nursing University’s Courier Program

Nine students commit to summer of service with Frontier Nursing University’s Courier Program

VERSAILLES, Ky. — Nine college students arrived in Hyden, Ky., on June 11, prepared for a summer of service to the communities and residents of rural Eastern Kentucky. Every summer Frontier Nursing University gives college students from around the country an opportunity to participate in the Courier Program.

In 1928, FNU founder Mary Breckinridge established the Courier Program, recruiting young people to work in the Kentucky mountains and learn about service to humanity. Couriers escorted guests safely through remote terrain, delivered medical supplies to remote outpost clinics, and helped nurse-midwives during home visits and births. Frontier has benefited tremendously from the 1,600 Couriers who have served since 1928.

The Courier Program is a service-learning experience that provides an opportunity for students interested in public health, health care or related fields to see what it is like to provide medical care to an underserved population.

“We are very excited to welcome these fantastic students to the Courier Program,” said FNU Courier Program Coordinator Tara Dykes-Barnes. “We hope they have a rewarding experience serving in Appalachia. We are proud to welcome them to the FNU Courier family.”

Meet the nine students who are answering the call to serve in rural Kentucky this summer by reading their stories and seeing their photos at Frontier.edu/Meetthe2019Couriers.