Interns Explore Rural Healthcare

This summer, Osborne County Memorial Hospital welcomed three college students through the Nex-Gen Summer Internship Program. Grace Smith, Hudson Wolters, and MaKayla Murphy brought energy, fresh perspective, and a genuine interest in learning more about the many facets of rural healthcare.

Smith, Wolters, and Murphy joined the OCMH team through the Nex-Gen Summer Intern program.

Each intern focused on a specific area of interest—Grace explored social work, Hudson assisted in radiology, and MaKayla gained hands-on experience in physical therapy. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn were evident throughout the summer as they engaged with both hospital staff and the greater Osborne County community.

“I am extremely grateful for this experience at OCMH,” Hudson commented. “It showed me the ins and outs of healthcare and specifically radiology. After this internship, I am positive this is the field I would like to go into.”

Beyond their time at OCMH, the interns participated in several off-site learning opportunities, including visits to Smith County Memorial Hospital, Sun Porch Retirement Community, Downs Care and Rehab, and Parkview Manor Healthcare and Rehab. One especially meaningful experience was helping a local resident transition to their new home at Parkview.

“Working as an intern this summer showed me several different skills, like how to communicate with patients, how to work with others, and overall gave me an opportunity to experience working in a healthcare setting,” said MaKayla.

The interns also proudly represented OCMH at a number of community events. They took part in the Downs Celebration Parade, organized and staffed a booth at the Osborne County Fair, and joined the Osborne County Fair Parade. Whether answering questions, sharing information, or simply being a friendly face, they helped connect OCMH to the community in valuable ways.

OCMH's Nex-Gen Summer Interns created and manned a booth at the Osborne County Fair in July 2025.

“The most meaningful part of the Downs and Osborne events was being able to engage with the communities that have supported me,” Grace noted. “I also enjoyed being able to oversee the community outreach projects because it taught me about organization and leadership.”

As the summer comes to a close, we’re grateful for the energy these young individuals brought to OCMH and to our community. We wish Grace, Hudson, and MaKayla the best as they return to college—and we hope their experiences here continue to shape their future paths in healthcare.

The Nex-Gen Internship Program offers high school and college students opportunities to explore careers in their home region while building connections with local employers. Funded through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and administered by area economic development organizations, the program pairs students with businesses and organizations that align with their interests. Interns are paid and participate in networking and enrichment activities designed to help them imagine a future in rural Kansas.