xt7c862bb43p https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7c862bb43p/data/mets.xml The Frontier Nursing Service, Inc. 2014 bulletins English journals Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Frontier Nursing Service Quarterly Bulletins Frontier Nursing University, Vol. 89, No. 1, Winter 2014 text Frontier Nursing University, Vol. 89, No. 1, Winter 2014 2014 2014 true xt7c862bb43p section xt7c862bb43p FNU

FRONTIER NURSING UNIVERSITY
Winter 2014 n Volume 89 n Number 1

75th anniversary
2014 marks the 75th anniversary of Frontier Nursing University.
Details about our plans to celebrate this milestone year
are inside this issue!

* quarterly bulletin

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to FNU ........................................................................1
The Journey – Dr. Susan Stone ..........................................................2
FNU 75th Anniversary .....................................................................6
Graduation 2013 ..............................................................................4
Alumni Spotlight..............................................................................6
Courier Corner .................................................................................8
Courier Spotlight .............................................................................9
Field Notes ....................................................................................11
Beyond the Mountains ...................................................................14
Wendover Report ...........................................................................18
Footprints ......................................................................................19
Notes .............................................................................................21
In Memoriam .................................................................................25
Tributes ..........................................................................................27
Board of Directors ..........................................................................29
Trustees..........................................................................................30
Your Gifts at Work .........................................................................32
US ISSN 0016-2116
Frontier Nursing Service Quarterly Bulletin (USPS 835-740, ISSN 00162116)
is published at the end of each quarter by Frontier Nursing Service, Inc.,
132 FNS Dr., Wendover, KY 41775.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Hyden, KY, and at additional mailing offices.
Subscriptions: $5 per year.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Frontier Nursing Service
Quarterly Bulletin, 132 FNS Dr., Wendover, KY 41775.
Copyright FNS, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Frontier does not share its donor mailing list.

Introduction to Frontier Nursing University

ary Breckinridge spent her early years in many parts of the world — Russia, France, Switzerland and the British Isles. After the deaths of her two
children, she abandoned the homebound life expected of women of her class
to devote herself to the service of families, with a particular focus on children.
Mrs. Breckinridge founded the Frontier Nursing Service in 1925 after several
years of studying and practicing nursing and midwifery in the United States,
England, Scotland and France. It was the first organization in America to
use nurses trained as midwives collaborating with a single medical doctor,
based at their small hospital in Hyden. Originally the staff was composed
of nurse-midwives trained in England.
They traveled on horseback and on foot to
Our aim has always been
provide quality primary care, including mato see ourselves surpassed,
ternity care, to families in their own homes.
and on a larger scale.”
In 1928, she recruited young people to serve
–Mary Breckinridge,
as Couriers and help the Frontier staff and
Wide Neighborhoods, 1952
nurse-midwives in all manner of efforts. In
1939, Mrs. Breckinridge established a school
of nurse-midwifery. The school provided graduates, many of whom stayed to
offer care to families in Leslie County, Kentucky.

“

Today, Mrs. Breckinridge’s legacy extends far beyond Eastern Kentucky through
Frontier Nursing University (FNU), which offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice
degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree with tracks as a Nurse-Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner.
FNU has students and graduates serving all 50 states and many countries.

How to Reach Us
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations: Please direct questions, comments
or updates to Denise Barrett, Director of Development, at (859) 899-2828 or send an e-mail to
development@frontier.edu.
The Wendover Bed & Breakfast Inn: The Big House, Mary Breckinridge’s home, is a licensed
Bed & Breakfast Inn located at Wendover. For reservations or to arrange a tour, call Michael Claussen,
Development Coordinator, at (859) 899-2707 or e-mail michael.claussen@frontier.edu. Group tours
can be arranged, and we are always happy to set up tours for organizations and educational programs
with an interest in nursing history and Appalachian studies.
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the journey

FNU 75th Anniversary Weekend

Celebrating 75 Years

e are proud to be celebrating 75 years of providing
advanced nursing and midwifery education. We
have many activities, events and communications planned
throughout the year to celebrate our anniversary.
When Mary Breckinridge founded the Frontier Graduate
School of Midwifery, it was to meet an immediate
need for nurse-midwives to serve in rural Appalachia. As the British nursemidwives departed the United States to return home and serve their country
the Frontier Nursing Service found itself with a shortage of staff. The plan
to open a nurse-midwifery school was immediately put into action. Over the
course of the next 75 years the University has evolved, including the transition
to distance education, the achievement of accreditation, the addition of new
programs, and the tremendous growth. However, the mission has remained
the same, and the work of the University has remained focused on meeting the
immediate healthcare needs of women and families through the work of our
graduates — though now our reach is nationwide and worldwide.
Today, Frontier Nursing University continues to educate nurse-midwives and
nurse practitioners to meet our nation’s immediate healthcare needs. With the
growing demand for primary care, the need for family nurse practitioners and
nurse-midwives has never been greater. In 2013, over 500 graduates attained
a graduate degree and qualified for the national certification exam. FNU
graduates hail from all fifty states and are living in the rural and medically
underserved areas that need improved access to care. In fact, our latest demographics revealed that 71% of FNU students reside in federally designated
rural counties and 76% reside in Health Professional Shortage Areas. FNU is
improving access to quality healthcare with each graduate.
We have several activities planned to celebrate this important year and we
hope you will make plans to join us. I look forward to seeing you!

Susan E. Stone, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, FACNM
President
2

75 Honorees: We are proud to honor 75 individuals and organizations

that have served a special role in Frontier’s past and present. Honored
individuals will be chosen on the basis of their:
· long-term leadership and service to FNU
· promotion of FNU
· ongoing, longstanding stewardship of FNU
· demonstration of personal commitment to the Frontier mission
· dedication to serving the communities served by FNU
· contributions to FNU’s academic success and impact in the field
If you would like to submit a nomination, please email them to Denise Barrett,
Director of Development at denise.barrett@frontier.edu or call 859-899-2828.

October 2-5: 75th Anniversary Gala and Weekend Events
Thursday, October 2: Arrival day for out of town guests
Friday, October 3:

Keeneland Race Day: Group visit to the beautiful Keeneland race track and
facilities.
Reception at the Bodley-Bullock house: Enjoy an evening at the beautiful
Bodley-Bullock house in downtown Lexington.
Saturday, October 4:

Brunch with Silas House at Shakespeare & Co.: Join us for brunch and
discussion with celebrated Kentucky Author Silas House.

Day trip to Hyden, KY: Tour the historic campus buildings and enjoy a lunch
nearby at Wendover, Mary Breckinridge’s home.
75th Anniversary Gala: Enjoy a sumptuous dinner, cocktails, and dancing!
Hotels will book quickly in Lexington in October!
We encourage you to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible.
Hyatt Regency Lexington: (859) 253-12345; www.lexingtonhyatt.com

Hilton Lexington/Downtown Hotel: (859) 231-9000 or (877) 539-1648;
www.lexingtondowntownhotel.com; Group Code FNU104
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Lexington: (859) 268-0060;
www.doubletree.hilton.com/lexington
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More than 500 degrees were awarded to students from almost every state across the nation.

FNU Awards Record Number
of Advanced Degrees

rontier Nursing University (FNU) hosted its 2013 commencement
ceremony on October 26 in Hyden, Ky., home of the historic FNU
campus. O ver the past year, a record setting number of advanced-practice
nurses and nurse-midwives graduated from the University. More than 500
degrees were awarded to students from almost every state across the nation.
Nearly 200 of these graduates are new nurse-midwives
while nearly 300 are new nurse practitioners who will
help to fill the national primary care gap. These graduates will provide care to women and families in their
communities across the nation and will help to increase
access to care in rural and underserved areas. Nearly
1000 attendees were present at the ceremony, including
hundreds of graduates and guests along with nearly 150
FNU faculty and staff members.
Dr. Charlie Mahan
delivered an inspiring
commencement address
to nearly 1,000
graduation attendees

During the ceremony, student and faculty awards were
announced and scholarship recipients were also recognized. Jean Kerfoot Fee, 1959 graduate, was awarded
an honorary doctorate for her many accomplishments
and her tireless work on behalf of our students. Na4

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tionally regarded expert in maternal and child health, Charles Mahan, M.D.
delivered the commencement address. Mahan is a University of South Florida
Dean Emeritus both in the Department of Community and Family Health,
College of Public Health, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
College of Medicine, and has served as an FNU Board member for 11 years.
His message is inspiring to the new advanced practice nurses and midwives
entering the work force as graduates of FNU over the past year. Those who
attended the ceremony heard the message loud and clear. “As you walk out
of this ceremony, I would like you to seize THIS day and EVERY day for
the rest of your lives — to help move our country from near the bottom of all
developed nations to the top in the health and safety of babies, children and
families.” Dr. Mahan shared tips for seizing the day as he expressed his firm
stance that nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners will help to fill the primary
health care gap.

“

As you walk out of this ceremony, I would like you to seize
THIS day and EVERY day for the rest of your lives — to
help move our country from near the bottom of all developed
nations to the top in the health and safety of babies, children
and families.”

You can view the full commencement address at http://www.frontier.edu/
webdocs/2013_commencement_address.pdf.

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local group that is trying to establish a birth center in Louisville. Being a part
of the “Friends of the Birth Center” group is a first step to increasing birth
options for women in this area.

Damara Jenkins, CNM
FNU Graduate, Class 48

fter contemplating medical school, Damara Jenkins stumbled upon
the idea of midwifery. She discovered that midwifery fit more with her
personal philosophy, and so from that point on she knew what she wanted to
do. She chose to pursue a career as a Certified Nurse-Midwife. A family history tied to Frontier Nursing Service as well as the distance education program format were two big factors in her decision to choose Frontier Nursing
University. Her grandfather was a surgeon who had volunteered with the
Frontier Nursing Service. Also, as a mother raising four children and working,
she found FNU’s distance education format a very attractive option. Most
importantly, though, the mission is what led Damara to Frontier.

“

With her personal passion and goals closely aligned
with the mission that Frontier has had for 75 years,
it was an obvious fit. “My goal was not just to produce more nurse-midwives in Kentucky but also to
focus on serving women in my local community,”
Damara stated. Damara has now been practicing
as a CNM at Woman Care in Indiana (just outside of Louisville, Ky) since July of 2011. Woman
Care has an ideal practice set-up; it is a collaborative
environment with three nurse-midwives and three
OB/GYNs working together to serve the local
area. One unique thing about Woman Care, is that more than 50% of the
patients at this practice are from Louisville, although the practice is actually
located in Indiana. As the largest city in Kentucky, Louisville unfortunately
has no midwifery care options available in the metropolitan area. Damara
shares, “Women who seek the care of a nurse-midwife travel up to an
hour away to our practice in Indiana. Most patients are just grateful that
they have this option available at all.” At Woman Care the CNMs attend
approximately 500 births each year at the local partner hospital.

Damara’s story is one that clearly follows the mission of Frontier and
hopefully she will inspire others who are contemplating the idea of becoming
a nurse-midwife. “I love my job…yes, it’s difficult and you have to have the
flexibility to change your plans at any given moment, but it is so rewarding just
witnessing women’s strength.

“

It’s also amazing just being a part of the midwifery community
and connecting with people from all over the world as we
support and learn from one another.”

My goal was not
just to produce
more nursemidwives in
Kentucky but also
to focus on serving
women in my
local community.”

Damara is not only following the mission of Frontier by providing
midwifery care through her regular job duties, but she is also serving as a
preceptor for FNU midwifery students. In addition, she is very involved in a
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courier corner

courier spotlight

By Nancy Reinhart,
FNU Courier Program Coordinator

he Courier Program is in full swing for 2014!
I have spent the winter making improvements
to the program and refining things so the Couriers
and the clinics in which they serve to meet critical needs will have the best experience possible.
It was a success last year and I know this year
will be even better.

As one mentor said of her 2013 Courier: “We have
loved having her here… Her help has been amazing. I have been really
impressed with the initiative she has taken on whatever projects we have given
her and her ability to push forward on these projects independently. I wish we
could keep her longer!”
By the time this arrives in your mailbox, we will have selected eight young
people from across the country to join us as Couriers this summer. We had
a strong pool of applicants this year and I’m looking forward to welcoming
and getting to know the group at Wendover in June. They bring lots of ideas,
plenty of enthusiasm for Frontier’s mission and a willingness to learn.
We are thrilled to welcome Mountain Comprehensive Healthcare Medical
Clinic in Whitesburg, KY as a new Courier Program site this year! The Courier
at this site will serve under Frontier nurse-midwifery graduate Melissa Newell
in addition to other practitioners. Couriers will return to Mary Breckinridge
Hospital, Little Flower Clinic and the Hazard Clinic in Hazard, KY, Lisa
Ross Birth Center in Knoxville, TN and Women’s Wellness and Maternity
Center in Madisonville, TN as well.

Connecting with Couriers
I’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you former Couriers by phone and at recent
events. The chance to capture some of the program’s fascinating history by interviewing
you is a top priority for me. It both enriches the program’s development and keeps its
history alive. If you are a former Courier who has not yet been interviewed and would
like to be, please email me: nancy.reinhart@frontier.edu.

Jess Rice

Jess Rice served as a Courier in 1994 and says that the Courier program
has always stayed “with her.” She joined the Courier Advisory Committee
in 2013 and is currently pursuing a nursing degree.

Briefly introduce yourself.

I was raised in Pennsylvania but I spent my twenties and
early thirties on the West Coast, living two years in Portland,
OR and twelve years in Oakland, CA.
I’m a second-career nursing student at the University of
Pittsburgh — in the one-year accelerated BSN program
(with prerequisites of course!).
I have an undergraduate degree in Biology but I have worked in education
(Oakland Public Schools), publishing (Ten Speed Press), and in the solar
industry (SunPower Corporation). I also fancied myself a singer-songwriter at
one time and got involved in the Bay Area arts scene.
Briefly describe your experience as a Courier.

Here are the things I remember the most: watching Sherman Wooten
decapitate a copperhead snake with a shovel. Doing home health rounds in
a tiny Yugo down little dirt roads that seemed to actually be hiking trails.
The fourth-of-July celebration in Wendover with The Greased Pig Contest
and Raccoon-On-A-Log contest. Bluegrass. Moonshine. Kudzu. X-ray runs.
Learning to drive a stick shift to go on said x-ray runs. Observing my first
surgery while trying to hide my shock that the surgeons made jokes and listened to Pink Floyd while operating.
My fellow couriers were probably the most memorable — Dascha Wier,
Anne Kelsey, and Michael Todd. They were college seniors and I wasn’t even
a college freshman yet. I vividly remember late nights on the Garden House
porches — listening to The Cowboy Junkies and Tori Amos and talking about
medicine and politics and the-meaning-of-it-all.

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field notes

How did it impact you, your life and your vocational direction?

I’m in nursing school now but being a Courier probably had a bigger life
impact than that. It was like being in the Peace Corps for me — it forced me
to adapt to a culture that was strange to me and to find a way to connect and
contribute.
What is the legacy of the Courier program from your view?

It puts things in sharp relief — makes you appreciate technology, medical and
otherwise, for all its wonders, *and* it helps you identify the parts of life that
are important that have nothing to do with technology — caring for people,
working hard, sticking your neck out, making a difference, and enjoying nature.
Why do you remain involved?

I lost touch for a while but I saw something about Sherman Wooten come
across an e-newsletter and that’s when I jumped back in. He really made an
impression on me. And now as a nursing student, I’m interested in Frontier
in a new way— professionally — as a case study of sorts. I hope the Courier
Program continues to flourish.

Coming Soon: Unbridled Service: The History of the Courier Program
Delight in a fresh perspective on Frontier Nursing history told through pages of
colorful and rich stories and photos about Mrs. Breckinridge’s famous Courier Service.
FNU professor Anne Cockerham’s book Unbridled Service: The History of the Courier
Program, to be published this spring, will serve as a companion to Rooted in the
Mountains, Reaching to the World. The book takes us through each era of the 85-year
service learning program, detailing Couriers’ support of FNS functions throughout the
years and the evolution of the Courier service up to today.
If you are a former Courier, this book will surely connect with your memories of the
time you will never forget. Told primarily from the perspective of Couriers like yourself
and accompanied by hundreds of striking photographs, you will surely find yourself
in its pages and relish the experiences of which it reminds you.
Unbridled Service: The History of the Courier Program will be published soon and
sold through our website at www.frontier.edu. We’ll notify you by mail as
soon as it is available for sale.

Frontier Nursing University names new
Dean of Nursing and Associate Deans

r. Julie Marfell, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
has been named as the Dean of Nursing at
Frontier Nursing University and recently began serving in
this new role. Dr. Marfell follows Dr. Susan Stone who
has served as both President and Dean for twelve years.
With the increasing growth of the University, the decision
was recently made to split the roles of president and dean
to better serve the educational needs of the increasing
student population. Dr. Stone will continue in the role of
President while Dr. Marfell will take on the role of Dean.

Dr. Marfell has led FNU’s family nursing program for 14 years serving as
Department Chairperson of Family Nursing for 10 years and as Associate
Dean for Family Nursing for 3 years. Dr. Marfell has an extensive background
in nursing education, nursing leadership and as a family nurse practitioner.
She earned degrees from Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis,
MO and Rush University in Chicago, IL. She has been a certified family nurse
practitioner for 19 years.
Dr. Marfell shares, “I am very proud to have the opportunity to be the Dean
of Nursing at Frontier Nursing University. Nurse-Midwives and Nurse
Practitioners are needed now more than ever to meet the predicated shortage
of health care providers and increase access to quality health care. We are
continuing our tradition of preparing registered nurses to provide excellent
care to women and families with our new MSN+DNP curriculum that began
in January of 2014. The faculty members at FNU are leaders in education and
are all certified in their professional specialties. I am excited to be leading this
faculty as they educate our students to begin their careers as nurse-midwives
and nurse practitioners.”
With the two separate roles of President and Dean, FNU is better poised to
serve its increasing student body, with current enrollment at more than 1500.
The leadership transition will allow the University to focus more on strategic
education goals in addition to fostering the innovative, student-focused,
community environment that it strives to provide.
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Dr. Anne Cockerham, PhD, CNM, WHNP-BC, has
been named as the Associate Dean of Midwifery and
Women’s Health. Dr. Cockerham has served as course
coordinator and FNU faculty member for four years
and will also continue to serve in her recently appointed
position as Professor of History where she devotes a portion of her time to
preserving, recording and disseminating the unique history of the University.
Dr. Cockerham holds certification as both a nurse-midwife and women’s
health care practitioner which uniquely positions her for serving in the role of
Associate Dean for the midwifery and women’s health programs. She earned
her Master of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University,
certificates for nurse-midwifery and women’s health from FNU and a
PhD with a focus in nursing history from the University of Virginia. As
Associate Dean of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Dr. Cockerham will ensure
that FNU’s community-based nurse-midwifery and women’s health graduate
programs continue to excel and attract the most qualified students.

Dr. Lisa Chappell, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, has been named
as the Associate Dean of Family Nursing. Dr. Chappell has
served as an FNU Course Faculty, Course Coordinator and
Clinical Bound Team Leader for five years.

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Mary Breckinridge Festival hosted in Hyden
The annual Mary Breckinridge Festival was held Sept. 30-Oct. 5, 2013 in
Hyden. FNU hosted a booth and gave out FNU brochures, pens and note
pads to hundreds of people. The “I Am an FNS Baby” pins were given out to
many who were delivered by an FNS midwife, some at home and some in the
hospital. FNU staff were honored to meet the younger sisters of the “Baby in
the Saddlebag” photo. The baby was Arbert Asher and his mother was Nellie
Asher. They’ve been told, by family members, that he was the first baby
delivered by the nurses, when they came to Leslie Co. in 1925. FNU had a free
drawing for a copy of “Rooted in the Mountains,” which was very popular as well.
Donna Nantz, from Stinnett, won it. The FNU float won 1st in heritage and 2nd
overall. FNU staff also participated in the Relay for Life “Amazing Race.”
John Wooton and Chasity Collett represented FNU as a team and the FNU
booth was one of the pit stops. FNU faculty and staff enjoyed the festivities
and look forward to next year’s festival!

John Wooton and Chasity Collett
participate in the “Amazing Race.”

Dr. Chappell has been a certified family nurse practitioner for eighteen years
and a nurse for 38 years. She also has sixteen years of teaching experience.
Dr. Chappell’s teaching and administrative experience combined with her
drive for excellence certainly positions her for serving in the role of Associate
Dean for FNU’s family nursing program. She earned her Master of Science in
Nursing from the University of Alabama in Birmingham where she received
both her family nurse practitioner and maternal infant clinical nurse specialist
certifications. She also earned her Doctor of Philosophy in nursing from
the Medical College of Georgia. As Associate Dean of Family Nursing,
Dr. Chappell will ensure that FNU’s family nursing program continues to
successfully attract the most motivated and mission-driven nurses.

The FNU float won 1st in heritage
and 2nd overall.

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beyond the mountains

Helen Rentch, Fra Vaughan, Lindy Karns, Vicki Tobin, Selma Owens, Ann
Evans, and Martha Copeland.

Annual Fall Committee Events held in
Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati and Boston
Bluegrass Committee
hosts luncheon and
awards first Bluegrass
Scholarship

FNU faculty and staff gathered
with friends and supporters at
the annual Bluegrass Luncheon
event, hosted on Sept. 25, 2013.
Bluegrass Committee members Linda Roach,
Selma Owens, Helen Rentch, Vicki Tobin and
Musicians Anna Harrod and
Lindy Karns present the Bluegrass Committee
Darrin Hacquard, students at
Scholarship to FNU student Lana Little
Berea College, opened the event
by performing Bluegrass tunes for
our guests on the patio of the Lexington Country Club on a beautiful fall day.
FNU President Susan Stone and Dean Julie Marfell led this annual gathering
of our friends, many of whom have longtime connections to Frontier or who
trace their roots to Hyden, Ky. Alumni Shirley Pollard Ramsey, a family nurse
practitioner graduate, and Kendra Adkisson, a nurse-midwifery graduate,
inspired our guests by speaking about the work they are doing to improve
healthcare in their communities. Lana Little, a current family nurse practitioner student who lives in Paris, Ky., was presented with the first Bluegrass
Scholarship, created through efforts led by the volunteers on our Bluegrass
Committee. Our guests with Hyden roots included Elizabeth Kramer, who
grew up in Hyden and who serves on FNU’s Leadership Council; Tibby Adams,
whose mother was a friend of Mary Breckinridge’s; Martha Copeland,
an FNS baby; and sisters Erma Kemble, Teresa Stacy and Deanna Stacy,
originally from Hyden.

Louisville Committee Hosts
Annual Luncheon

On November 10, 2013 a group of 30 Frontier
friends and donors gathered at Louisville’s River
Valley Club. Organized by the Louisville comPresident Stone presents
mittee and hosted by committee chair Sandy
Betty Brown with an FNU
Schreiber, the luncheon was enjoyed by all. Guests
pin in recognition of her
were moved by a presentation by former Courier
support of the endowment
Kaleigh Hire about her experience serving and
campaign
working under Frontier midwives at the Lisa
Ross Birth Center in the summer of 2013. Frontier donors Mary Clay Stites,
Betty Brown and Donald MacLean Bell (MacLean Foundation) received pins
honoring their contributions to Frontier Nursing University. We were honored
to provide updates to supporters, re-engage with longtime Frontier friends,
and introduce new guests to our work and mission.

Marian Leibold hosts
Cincinnati Committee Dinner

FNU wishes to extend a special thank you to Neace Lukens insurance company and company executives Mark Bizer and Dino Lancianese for generously
sponsoring the luncheon. We also are grateful for the continuing support of
our dynamic volunteers who serve on the Bluegrass Committee: Linda Roach,

Long-time Frontier supporter and former
Courier Marian Leibold hosted a dinner
on behalf of Frontier Nursing University on
October 16, 2013. Marian hosted the dinner
at the historic home where she grew up,
Former Couriers Kit Wysor
which is currently for sale. The home was
and Marian Leibold
built in 1906 by Mary Hanna and purchased
by her parents in 1957. With a view of sunset
over downtown Cincinnati surrounding the thirty-five guests in attendance
and a miniature horse complete with saddlebags grazing in the front yard,
the location was a spectacular setting in which to discuss Mary Breckinridge’s
far-reaching perspective on healthcare and service. Mrs. Leibold, FNU
President Susan Stone and Courier Program Coordinator Nancy Reinhart
were able to introduce several individuals unfamiliar with Frontier to our

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history and work. Especially meaningful for Mrs. Leibold was the presence
Kit Wysor — a fellow former Courier with whom she served and later became
lifelong friends. As always, we were honored for the opportunity to visit with
friends in the area and share updates from FNU.

mountain people staying in the area and those moving to Lexington, KY. Mary
Breckinridge was named a lifetime member of the club. At its height, the club
had as many as 1500 members. The December 2013 meeting was a historic one
as it represented the last official gathering of the club. President and Treasurer,
Elizabeth Kramer, supported by thirteen other club members present, awarded
FNU a portion of the remainder of the club’s funding — a sum totaling
$85,000. The money will be used as a scholarship corpus to offer an annual
scholarship to a student from one of 52 named Kentucky mountain counties.
This scholarship is given in memory of former Mountain Club members and
in honor of the current Mountain Club members. Frontier Nursing University
is honored to invest this funding and provide annual scholarships to deserving
students.

Boston Committee Hosts Luncheon and Names
Lees Breckinridge Yunits New Committee Chair

Mrs. Patsy Lawrence, former Frontier Courier and longtime supporter of
Frontier Nursing University, has served as the Chair of the Boston Committee
for many years. Annually, Patsy coordinates a beautiful luncheon at the Dedham
Country Club in Dedham, Massachusetts, and invites fellow Couriers, friends
and supporters of Frontier Nursing University to gather for fellowship and
updates from President Susan Stone.
The 2013 luncheon was held on a beautiful fall day in November. Couriers
Frances Keene, Deborah Smith, Sarah Steck and Lois Cheston attended,
along with supporters Peter Breckinridge Coffin, Lees Breckinridge Coffin
and Caroline Standley. President Stone reviewed the latest updates and achievements of the University and Denise Barrett informed the group of our success
in the endowment campaign. President Stone presented Mary Breckinridge
Society lapel pins to Patsy Lawrence and Lois Cheston, in recognition of their
contribution to the endowment campaign.
We are excited to announce that Lees Breckinridge Yunits, great-niece of
Mary Breckinridge, accepted the position of Chair of the Boston Committee.
She will work with Patsy and FNU staff to continue the Boston Committee
event and outreach in the area. We look forward to our next trip to the Boston
area for Peter Coffin’s annual Kentucky Derby Party and another luncheon
next fall.

Mountain Club of Lexington Endows
New Scholarsh