The fellowship is built around five core components that provide Fellows with hands-on experience in rural healthcare, community engagement, and leadership development:

• Transitions of Care

• Youth Programming

• Operational, Programmatic, and Strategic Initiatives

• Community Engagement

• Education and Mentorship

Each component offers opportunities to learn, serve patients, and build meaningful relationships within the hospital and the Hale County community.

What is Transitions of Care?

Transitions of Care focuses on supporting patients during their hospital stay and as they return home. Fellows participate in inpatient rounds, interact with patients, and help create a supportive environment through conversation, companionship, and weekly activities that encourage social engagement.

Fellows also participate in the Health Partners Program, where they are paired with several patients throughout the year to provide social and emotional support. This may include helping patients understand discharge instructions, attending follow-up appointments, assisting with transportation, and connecting them with local resources.

What is Youth Programming?

Fellows help lead CLIMB Academy, a high school program for students interested in healthcare careers.

Through interactive sessions, students explore healthcare topics, volunteer at local faculties, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about career paths in medicine and community health. Fellows also help coordinate job shadowing opportunities, service-learning experiences, and college visits.

What role does community engagement play in the fellowship?

Community engagement is an important part of the fellowship experience. Each week, Fellows spend time volunteering with local organizations such as nonprofits, civic groups, schools, and government agencies.

These experiences help Fellows build relationships throughout the community, learn about local challenges and opportunities, and strengthen connections between the hospital and the organizations that serve Hale County.

What educational and mentorship opportunities are included?

Fellows participate in daily and weekly learning opportunities designed to deepen their understanding of healthcare and community health.

This includes daily meetings with the Experiential Learning Coordinator, weekly discussions with Community Health Fellows through Project Horseshoe Farm, and participation in PORTCH Friday sessions, which focus on learning about local people, organizations, culture, history, and community leadership.

These experiences provide mentorship, encourage reflection, and help Fellows grow as leaders in healthcare and community service.

Because Fellows engage in a wide range of activities, it is easier to describe a typical week rather than a typical day. Each fellowship year is unique, and Fellows often encounter new opportunities, challenges, and experiences throughout the program.

A sample weekly schedule can be found here.

Transitions of Care – Approximately 14 Hours per Week

Fellows work closely with patients both inside the hospital and in the community to support the transition from hospital care to life at home.

As part of the Health Partners Program, Fellows are paired with 6–8 patients throughout the year. In this role, Fellows build meaningful relationships while offering consistent social and emotional support. Activities may include home visits, attending medical appointments, helping patients navigate healthcare and social service systems, supporting healthy lifestyle choices, assisting with budgeting or financial planning, providing some local transportation, and offering encouragement to both patients and their families.

Fellows also visit admitted patients in the hospital during rounds and through independent visits. These interactions focus on the social aspects of care—engaging patients in meaningful conversations, learning about their personal stories, and providing companionship during what can often be an isolating experience.

Additionally, Fellows call recently discharged patients, particularly those who are elderly or managing complex health needs, to help strengthen follow-up care and reduce the risk of hospital readmission.

Youth Programming – Approximately 12 Hours per Week

Fellows organize and lead a every day in-school program for local high school students interested in healthcare careers. Through interactive sessions, students learn about healthcare professions, the science of human health, clinical skills, and community health.

Programming includes hands-on activities, job shadowing opportunities, discussions about health careers, and service-learning experiences. Fellows may also volunteer with local technical center programs for students interested in healthcare pathways.

Community Engagement – Approximately 4 Hours per Week

Each week, Fellows spend a half-day volunteering with a local organization such as a civic group, nonprofit, business, or government agency.

Past Fellows have volunteered with organizations including Project Horseshoe Farm, Hale County Emergency Medical Services, Hale County Public Schools, Hale County Jail, and Auburn Rural Studio.

This component helps Fellows better understand local efforts to strengthen the community while building partnerships between the hospital and community organizations.

Education and Mentorship – Approximately 12 Hours per Week

Education and mentorship are key components of the fellowship experience.

Fellows participate in individual and group discussions with the of Experiential Learning Coordinator, hospital leadership, and department heads. They also complete assigned readings and participate in weekly Monday Discussions, which focus on topics related to community health, healthcare systems, and health policy.

Fellows also participate in PORTCH Fridays, which include lunch speakers and community visits focused on learning about local people, organizations, culture, and history while strengthening relationships within the community.

The Hale County Hospital Fellowship is designed to help Fellows grow as leaders while gaining meaningful experience in healthcare, community engagement, and service. Through hands-on work, mentorship, and reflection, Fellows develop the skills needed for careers in healthcare, public service, and community leadership.

Service and Volunteer Leadership

Fellows build habits of service and leadership by working closely with vulnerable members of the community. Through partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, housing programs, and community organizations, Fellows provide volunteer support while learning about the social and community factors that influence health and quality of life.

Community Immersion

Fellows become deeply connected to the community by building relationships with local residents, leaders, and organizations. This immersion helps Fellows understand local values, community dynamics, and the important role of community engagement in improving health and well-being.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Fellows work closely with other Fellows, hospital staff, and community partners to support shared goals and initiatives. This collaborative environment helps Fellows strengthen teamwork and leadership skills.

Understanding Health Systems

Through hands-on experience, readings, and discussions, Fellows gain a deeper understanding of community health, healthcare systems, and health policy.

Learning from Community Leaders

Fellows meet and learn from leaders in healthcare, business, government, philanthropy, and community organizations through partnerships with Hale County Hospital and Project Horseshoe Farm.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Hale County Hospital Fellowship is offered without tuition or program fees to Fellows who commit to a year of volunteer service and learning.

Through our partner organization, Project Horseshoe Farm, Fellows receive housing and utilities at no cost during the fellowship year. Fellows also receive an educational grant and transportation reimbursement to help offset basic living and travel expenses associated with the program. In addition, a small relocation grant is provided to help offset moving expenses at the beginning of the fellowship.

Fellowship Support — At a Glance:

• No tuition or program fees

• Free housing and utilities through Project Horseshoe Farm

• Monthly educational grant of approximately $880

• $600 to help offset basic living expenses

• $280 to help offset gas and transportation costs

• Relocation grant to assist with moving expenses

• Hands-on learning, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities

We welcome applicants from a wide range of academic majors and backgrounds who are interested in community-based service, rural healthcare, and citizen service leadership. While academic achievement is considered, we place strong emphasis on personal character, commitment to service, and the ability to build meaningful relationships within a community.

We look for applicants who demonstrate qualities such as:

• Strong relationship-building, communication, and teamwork skills

• Initiative, self-direction, and a strong work ethic

• Flexibility, resilience, and creativity in solving challenges

• Empathy and the ability to work with a diverse range of people

• A positive attitude and high level of energy

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Curiosity, openness to learning, and receptiveness to feedback

• Interest in teaching and mentoring others

• Maturity, professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment

• Alignment with the values and mission of Hale County Hospital

How to Apply:

Applications for the Hale County Hospital Fellowship are submitted through our partner organization, Project Horseshoe Farm. Interested applicants should visit the Project Horseshoe Farm website to complete and submit their application for consideration.

Deadline:

• Priority Deadline: Sunday, October 26, 2025

• Second Deadline: Sunday, January 18, 2026

• Final Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026 (rolling admissions after Jan 18, as space allows)

To be fully transparent, to try to set realistic and accurate expectations about the Fellowship, and to try to set everyone up for success, we invite and strongly encourage applicants to arrange a time during the application and selection process to speak with at least one of our current Fellows.  Fellows are happy to openly share their experiences during the Fellowship and to answer any questions you might have.  We also ask you to carefully read and understand this “Frequently Asked Questions” and “Values: Who We Are” document.