About Mary Breckinridge Hospital

Much like the ARH system, Mary Breckinridge Hospital has a colorful history that has shaped medical care in Eastern Kentucky. Healthcare services in the mountains were sparse in the 1920s. The region was remote leaving the people of this area cut off from medical assistance. The state of healthcare in the mountains was transformed in 1925 when trained nurse mid-wife Mary Breckinridge, move by the death of her own two children, founded the Frontier Nursing Service in Leslie County, Ky. to provide healthcare for children in remote rural areas.

Frontier Nursing Service was the first group in the United States to employ nurses who are also qualified midwives. For years, Mary Breckinridge and her staff of trained nurse midwives could be found traveling through the Appalachian mountains on horseback to deliver babies and offer medical care to the families of eastern Kentucky.

It was decided shortly after her death that the memorial to her would be a new hospital. In October of 1970, a groundbreaking ceremony was held and in 1975, a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, the Mary Breckinridge Hospital was dedicated. 

Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) is a not-for-profit health system serving 350,000 residents across Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia. Operating nine hospitals, multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, HomeCare Stores and retail pharmacies, ARH is the largest provider of care and single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third largest private employer in southern West Virginia.

The ARH system employs 4,700 employees and has a network of more than 600 active and courtesy medical staff members representing various specialties. Firmly committed to its mission of improving the health and promoting the well-being of all people in Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia.

If you are a physician seeking a high quality lifestyle and a high quality medical practice, then you have found a home with ARH. We invite you to join the ARH team!

ARH Selected as the 2010 Outstanding Rural Health Organization in the Nation

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About Leslie County, Kentucky

Nestled in the heart  of the Appalachia Mountains, Leslie County is a land blessed by nature.   In  spring there is the striking beauty of red bud trees in full  bloom, in autumn the wonderful colors of fall foliage, and year around  breathtaking sunsets seen from ridge tops.

 

Leslie County is the home of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and  Traditional Music, the only one of its kind in the United States.    The School of Bluegrass grants an associate degree, “The Professional  Studio Artist Specialization in Bluegrass and Traditional music.”

 

For the adventure enthusiast our Daniel Boone Trail system creates a playground for ATV’s.     Our trails are open to dirt bikes, utility vehicles such as Rhino’s,  Rangers and Mules, horseback riding and hiking and has nearly 100 miles  of trails extending into Clay County.  Since the trails are primarily located in the Daniel Boone National Forest,  don’t be surprised if you encounter elk, turkey and deer.  You can  spend countless hours enjoying the trails as well as the wildlife, so  bring your camera and get ready for an experience you will want to have  again.

 

If the trails are not what you’re looking for, maybe you’ll enjoy the Trace Branch Recreational Area on Buckhorn Lake in Leslie County.  Located 13 miles from Hyden,  you will surely be impressed with all that Trace Branch has to offer.   Hunting, fishing, boating, camping, hiking and swimming are some of the activities you’ll enjoy.