Physician recruitment to rural communities has become difficult. Increasingly, traditional approaches are no longer enough to attract clinicians to rural practice. The Recruit-Primary Care Provider (Recruit-PCP) grant program offers a new method by creating opportunities that match with physicians’ professional interests while strengthening rural health care.
Through Recruit-PCP, newly hired physicians at participating rural hospitals can dedicate up to 20% of their time to a community project. This protected time allows physicians to engage in meaningful work beyond clinical care while contributing to innovation and improved health outcomes in their communities.
Recruit-PCP Rural Partners
Emplify Health by Gundersen Friendship Hospital went seven years without a primary care physician. With help from the Orion Initiative’s Recruit-PCP program, the hospital welcomed Dr. Rayan Lungba. This success marks an important step toward bringing consistent access to high-quality care for the Friendship community.
“Recruit-PCP was a key factor in my commitment to the position in Friendship. Through this program, the Orion Initiative has created space for me to collaborate with others in the community on developing a dementia screening program.”
Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Hospital is a nonprofit, critical-access hospital located in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, in Vernon County and is currently in the recruitment phase for the program.
“Bringing exceptional healthcare to rural communities starts with empowering dedicated physicians. The Orion Initiative is committed to growing the future of medicine where it’s needed most—ensuring every community has access to compassionate, expert care.”
Southwest Health is a 25-bed rural critical-access hospital located in Platteville, Wisconsin, in Grant County and is currently in the recruitment phase for the program.
Westfields Hospital is a 25-bed rural critical-access hospital located in New Richmond, Wisconsin, in St. Croix County and is currently in the recruitment phase for the program.
ThedaCare operates five critical-access hospitals located in the rural communities of Berlin, New London, Shawano, Waupaca and Wild Rose, and is currently in the recruitment phase for the program.
Indianhead Medical Center is a 25-bed rural critical-access hospital located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, in Washburn County and is currently in the recruitment phase for the program.
Marshfield Clinic operates hospitals located in the rural communities of Rice Lake, Neillsville, Weston, Minocqua, Stevens Point, Park Falls, Ladysmith, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, and is currently in the recruitment phase for the program.
Interested in Recruit-PCP for your rural hospital?
The Orion Initiative is expanding its Recruit-PCP program to help more rural hospitals strengthen their workforce. Learn how your rural hospital can become a Recruit-PCP partner site and access funding to offer primary care physicians time to work on a community project.
