The late Florence Booker Rawleigh claimed that working for the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) as a Courier was the most interesting thing she did in her 95 years of life. Florence was asked to serve as a Courier during a flu outbreak 1942. During the epidemic, many prominent families in the area were asked to send their children to volunteer with FNS to tend to those ill from the flu in rural and underserved Appalachia. “They would call and say they need you desperately, ” said Florence. … [Read more...]
Courier Spotlight: Wendy Parker-Wood
When Wendy Parker-Wood’s family visited the Big House at the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) grounds, Wendy knew it was a place she wanted to be. The then 12-year-old Wendy was fascinated by the stories her mother told of volunteering as a Christmas secretary at FNS in the 1930s, and she felt a strong connection to the work the Couriers did there. In her senior year of high school in 1966, Wendy traveled to Wendover to participate in the Courier Program. She rode horses, grocery shopped for … [Read more...]
Courier Spotlight: Joan Todd
Joan Todd decided to become a Courier in 1953 through the influence of two women well-connected with Frontier Nursing Service (FNS). Joan’s grandmother had befriended Mary Breckinridge in college, and her mother had served as a Courier in her younger years. Although she was hesitant, Joan traveled to Wendover in 1953 to take part in the program. Joan served in many roles as a Courier, such as organizing medications, removing the expired medications and stocking new shipments. She also … [Read more...]
FNS: A Legacy Lives On
In 1927 in the hills of Kentucky, the Frontier Nursing Service began building a hospital. A year later, Mary Breckinridge, founder and director, saw her dream to bring exceptional healthcare to rural Kentucky come true. Frontier Nursing University (FNU) roots run deep in Appalachia. For many years, nurse-midwives have met the needs of families, focusing on not only giving women a healthy birth experience, but also knowledge of how to care for themselves and their children. Keeping Mary … [Read more...]
Jean Fee, April 29, 1937 – January 4, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jean Fee, a dear friend of Frontier Nursing University (FNU) and former Frontier Nursing Service nurse. Jean was born in rural Alberta, Canada, on April 29, 1937. She came to Hyden, Ky., in 1958 and graduated from the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery in 1959, working as a district nurse for the Frontier Nursing Service. She traveled by horse throughout the region, attending births and providing healthcare for families. The … [Read more...]
FNU’s 2017 Year in Review
It’s hard to believe 2017 is almost in the books! It was an exciting year for the Frontier Nursing University (FNU) community. Take a look at some of our highlights below and be sure to watch our "2017 FNU Year in Review" video at the bottom of the post: Technology and Innovation FNU Launches New Innovation Center Take the Classroom Anywhere with the Frontier Digital Depot Celebrating 10 Years of Bridging into the Future FNU Launches New Website Diversity and Inclusion Frontier Nursing … [Read more...]
Courier Spotlight: Paul Florsheim
Paul Florsheim had always been impressed with the story of Mary Breckinridge. In 1983, inspired by her fearless service, he traveled to Leslie County, Ky., to become a Courier. As a Courier, Paul traveled from clinic to clinic to assist doctors and nurses with routine medical procedures. Some of his more eye-opening experiences included holding down a young boy who was just six or seven years old so he could have an infected boil lanced and administrating a pregnancy test to a woman who … [Read more...]
Courier Spotlight: Jill Davenport
Jill Davenport served as a Courier for Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) from 1966 through 1967 in order to gain a sense of direction for her life. When Jill and her best friend, who both lived in Louisville, Ky., at the time, heard of FNS by word of mouth, the two jumped at the opportunity to ride horses and help people in the mountains. According to Jill, she felt like a “lost soul” at school, unsure of the path she would take with her life. Her hope was that a stint in the Courier Program … [Read more...]
