NHSC: 50 Years of Commitment, Compassion, and Community

Tweet, Post, and Share your NHSC Pride

In case you missed it, we're still celebrating NHSC clinicians, alumni, sites, stakeholders, and supporters. You can still share by using your social media skills to:

Congratulate the Corps and share your service or support in a 20-30 second selfie video or photo.
Post your video or photo to Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using #NHSC50 or #IAmNHSC, or use one of our downloadable social media graphics.
Tag the National Health Service Corps' Facebook page or @NHSCorps on Twitter.

You may be selected as one of our 50 Faces highlighting NHSC members and alumni.

For five decades, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has fulfilled its mission to strengthen the health workforce by improving access to quality primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care. We’ve accomplished so much together, from serving in high-need areas all across the nation to responding to public health crises, like Zika and the current pandemic.

As we look back, we’re also looking forward to the next 50 years with you!

You're Invited

Dr. David Kindig

Hello, I’m Dr. David Kindig.

More than 50 years ago, I served as the first Director of the Division of Professional Services of the National Health Service Corps (1971-1973) and helped recruit the first class of NHSC clinicians who ventured out into our rural and inner-city communities and provided much-needed primary health care in places where there was no or limited access.

Now, I’m back to invite you to join the NHSC as we reflect on 50 years of building healthier communities. More than 66,000 Corps clinicians have touched the lives of and improved health outcomes for tens of millions of Americans. This anniversary provides everyone who has been a part of, or supported, the NHSC an opportunity to reflect on its impact, share your experiences and mark its place in our nation’s public health history.

NHSC Timeline

Track NHSC history for the past 50 years!

Did you know?

The Emergency Health Personnel Act of 1970 established The National Health Service Corps.
In 1972, NHSC placed the first clinicians in 20 communities in 13 states and included physicians, dentists and nurses.

How much NHSC history do you know? Check out the full timeline marking big moments in NHSC history.

In Their Own Words

Service in action

Check out video messages, stories and reflections of NHSC members, alumni, sites, and supporters.

The NHSC's is a story worth telling. Watch 50 years of Corps clinicians in action and learn how the program has evolved and expanded to meet the needs of underserved communities in every place throughout the U.S.

NHSC Reflections - Dr. Larry Platt wrote the proposal that became the basis for the National Health Service Corps. Listen as he relates the motivation for his plan and how it came to life.

See the entire NHSC 50th Anniversary playlist on YouTube.

Impact & Initiatives

NHSC’s Success: Connecting Clinicians to Communities

NHSC-approved sites provide the connection to underserved communities so that NHSC clinicians can provide the primary health care needed.

Read more about our health centers in the most rural county, the single site with the most NHSC clinicians, and more.

Collage graphic of NHSC clinicians and site administrators and an exterior shot of a primary care clinic

Get Involved

The NHSC wouldn’t be turning 50 without our members, alumni, stakeholders, partners, and the communities we serve!

Share your experiences

We invite you to share your NHSC experiences to help us celebrate the Corps’ impact. Current members and alumni, you can share advice for the next generation of providers.

Check out our story prompts (PDF - 6 MB) to get started telling your story.
Learn how to upload your artifacts, articles, photos, or video about your NHSC experience to help us mark this anniversary.
Watch our video or read our tips (PDF - 93 KB) on how to produce a self-recorded video to upload and share your NHSC story.

Join the conversation

We not only honor our members and the work they do caring for the communities they serve, but also want to invite a new generation of potential future NHSC providers to learn more about its opportunities.

Throughout the year, we’ll post NHSC milestones and related themes on social media. We’ll invite you to post your own related content using the hashtag #NHSC50. Be sure to follow and tag us at @NHSCorps on Twitter, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn.

Promote your NHSC connection

NHSC members and alumni: Download and add the NHSC Anniversary Badge to your signature block or download the full-size logo to include with your NHSC anniversary activities.

Having an NHSC anniversary event or want to promote your site?

Use our promotional kit to pitch your site event to the media or promote your event to the public. (PDF - 117 KB)
Tell us what you're doing and be featured in our promotional content.
NHSC-approved sites: Update your NHSC Site Badge to the new anniversary look for your website.

Invite your audiences

Spread the word by downloading, copying and pasting our toolkit anniversary resources and sharing on your social media and online channels.

Stay Updated

Sign up for our NHSC 50th anniversary email list, and we’ll notify you of new updates and information.

Questions? Email us at nhscstories@hrsa.gov.