Courier Program Internship

Rural and Public Health Service-Learning Program

Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) Courier Program Internship is an eight-week, rural and public health, service-learning program with a rich and adventuresome history that targets college students with an interest in public health, healthcare, social work, or a related field. The Courier Program Internship offers a unique opportunity for students to gain insight into the challenges and opportunities of providing healthcare in rural and underserved areas. Throughout this eight-week program, Couriers become immersed and engaged through their Courier Clinic Site. These sites will be located in the Woodford County, Kentucky, surrounding area or healthcare shortage areas.

"The most important goal I had was to learn and grow from this experience, which I'm happy to say I've accomplished that...From cultural communication to servant leadership, I’ve learned so much about myself and what I am passionate about…This program is about learning and growing in order to take what we’ve learned to use in future experiences."
Anthony Douglas, 2016 Courier

During their time on site, Couriers will shadow a variety of clinicians and provide leadership on special projects, as well as other avenues of community participation. Courier's experiences help them to fully comprehend the complexities of rural and underserved communities and healthcare, as well as grasp the compassionate and caring legacy established by our founder, Mary Breckinridge, which is carried on by FNU students, alumni, Couriers, and faculty. The Courier Program has a “Hearts On, Hands Off” approach to learning. Couriers learn by observing their clinic site mentors, speaking with patients, assisting with special projects on health related topics, leading events, and other projects. Couriers may participate in any activity which does not require formal medical or healthcare training. Couriers will leave with a profound understanding and deep respect for the communities they serve during their time as a Courier.

Summer 2023 Program Dates

May 31 - July 28, 2023

The Courier Program aims to:

1. Introduce Couriers to the value of public health and primary healthcare services to people living in rural and under-served communities;
2. Support clinical and other community sites by meeting critical needs that would otherwise go unmet;
3. Foster cross‐cultural skills through Courier engagement with diverse communities and fellow Couriers;
4. Facilitate Couriers’ experience of FNU’s mission in action and encourage them to embody the Frontier legacy in their later vocations and personal lives.

This year’s Courier Program Internship has three key components. Each Courier Intern will be asked to:

1. Learn academically on the importance of rural and public healthcare by participating in online modules advised by the Courier Program Director and guided by a faculty advisor.
2. Observe at local clinic host sites and take what they are learning academically and apply it to real life situations in the community.
3. Participate with a volunteer host site in creating a project designed to help the underserved community they are working in.

"Countless experiences with nurses, fellow Couriers, and local people made an impression that will never leave me. The Courier experience came into my life at a time when I was ripe for understanding, for asking big questions of myself and life."
Marian Leibold, 1977 Courier

Program History

In 1928, Frontier Nursing University 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.

Today’s FNU Courier Program is a summer service-learning experience distinguished by its legacy and the adventuresome nature of its site placements. Couriers carry forth the Frontier mission by providing critical assistance to healthcare organizations in underserved and rural communities.

Each year approximately 8 to 10 college-aged participants make their way from their respective homes to central Kentucky to embark on a service-learning adventure. These Couriers are curious, adaptable, self‐motivated, and self‐structured individuals with a commitment to respect and tolerance. Courier Program participants are enrolled at various universities across the country and typically have interest in learning about public health, health care, social work or a related field.