Orion Update: Summer 2026
June 17, 2026
The Summer 2026 Orion Initiative newsletter is now available! Inside, you’ll find our partner stories, grant opportunity updates and more.
Emplify Health by Gundersen Friendship builds momentum with Dr. Rayan Lungba
June 17, 2026
Through Recruit-PCP, rural hospitals are attracting physicians who not only provide care but also lead projects that address important community health needs. Last year, after seven years without a primary care physician, Emplify Health by Gundersen
EMS for Children Day highlights rural pediatric emergency preparedness through STARS-PPC
May 20, 2026
When pediatric emergencies happen in rural communities, EMS providers are often the first and only point of care in those critical first moments.
Orion Initiative Awards Four Grants to Rural Hospitals for Onsite Specialty Training
April 8, 2026
The Orion Initiative, a rural health-focused grant program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, announced Mile Bluff Medical Center, Vernon Health, Southwest Health and Lafayette Hospital + Clinics as the latest
Orion Update: Spring 2026
March 24, 2026
The Spring 2026 Orion Initiative newsletter is available now! Inside, you’ll find our new video, grant opportunities and more.
Physician Retention Grant Opportunity
March 9, 2026
Learn more about the Retain–Primary Care Provider program, offered through the Orion Initiative at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Physician Recruitment Grant Opportunity for Rural Hospitals
February 9, 2026
Attention rural hospitals! Learn how to become a Recruit-PCP partner site and access funding to offer primary care physicians time to work on a community project, research and/or teach.
Rheumatology Training Opportunity
January 5, 2026
Attention rural Wisconsin primary care providers! Take advantage of a unique, grant-funded opportunity to bring rheumatology training directly to your rural hospital.
Orion Update: Winter 2025
December 17, 2025
Our second Orion Initiative newsletter is out the door! Inside, you’ll find opportunities for rural hospitals, highlights from this year and more.
Innovative training program expands rheumatology access in Richland Center
November 5, 2025
The Orion Initiative is incredibly honored to be featured in this new article from the Department of Medicine about our Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) project. STARS-R was co-designed by family physicians at The Richland Hospital & Clinics and…
Innovative training program expands rheumatology access in Richland Center
November 5, 2025
The Orion Initiative is incredibly honored to be featured in this new article from the Department of Medicine about our Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) project. STARS-R was co-designed by family physicians at The Richland Hospital & Clinics and…
Orion Initiative helps rural health providers team with UW medical partners | Opinion
October 22, 2025
A new Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion piece by Dr. Amy Kind highlights how the Orion Initiative is working alongside rural health care providers—including The Richland Hospital and Clinics and Berlin EMS—to strengthen access and…
Orion Initiative on the air
July 15, 2025
This story aired on July 14, 2025 on the 8 O’Clock Buzz on WORT 89.9FM. Compared with their urban and suburban counterparts, rural Wisconsinites suffer more illnesses, and have a harder time finding care. Recent…
Department of Emergency Medicine receives Orion Initiative grant to improve rural emergency care for children
April 11, 2025
The Orion Initiative is honored to be featured in this new Department of Emergency Medicine article about Specialty Training at Rural Sites (STARS)-Pediatric Prehospital Care. STARS-Pediatric Prehospital Care works to improve pediatric emergency care in rural…
Orion Update: Summer 2026
June 17, 2026
The Summer 2026 Orion Initiative newsletter is now available! Inside, you’ll find our partner stories, grant opportunity updates and more.
Orion Update: Spring 2026
March 24, 2026
The Spring 2026 Orion Initiative newsletter is available now! Inside, you’ll find our new video, grant opportunities and more.
Orion Update: Winter 2025
December 17, 2025
Our second Orion Initiative newsletter is out the door! Inside, you’ll find opportunities for rural hospitals, highlights from this year and more.
Orion Update: Summer 2025
August 19, 2025
Our first Orion Initiative newsletter is out the door! Inside, you’ll find photos from our launch, partnerships improving access to rural health care, media coverage and more.
Orion Initiative launch
July 30, 2025
On June 4, 2025, the Orion Initiative marked its official launch with partners and supporters from across Wisconsin. The event brought together health care leaders, community members and academic collaborators to celebrate a shared commitment to…
Orion Initiative Awards Four Grants to Rural Hospitals for Onsite Specialty Training
April 8, 2026
The Orion Initiative, a rural health-focused grant program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, announced Mile Bluff Medical Center, Vernon Health, Southwest Health and Lafayette Hospital + Clinics as the latest …
New initiative funds partnership between UW School of Medicine and Public Health and frontline providers to improve rural health care in Wisconsin
June 6, 2025
Thanks to a generous private donation, a new grantmaking program called the Orion Initiative with a mission to improve health in rural Wisconsin communities, is launching on June 4 in Madison. The Orion Initiative invests in the power…
Emplify Health by Gundersen Friendship builds momentum with Dr. Rayan Lungba
June 17, 2026
Through Recruit-PCP, rural hospitals are attracting physicians who not only provide care but also lead projects that address important community health needs. Last year, after seven years without a primary care physician, Emplify Health by Gundersen …
EMS for Children Day highlights rural pediatric emergency preparedness through STARS-PPC
May 20, 2026
When pediatric emergencies happen in rural communities, EMS providers are often the first and only point of care in those critical first moments.
Physician Retention Grant Opportunity
March 9, 2026
Learn more about the Retain–Primary Care Provider program, offered through the Orion Initiative at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Physician Recruitment Grant Opportunity for Rural Hospitals
February 9, 2026
Attention rural hospitals! Learn how to become a Recruit-PCP partner site and access funding to offer primary care physicians time to work on a community project, research and/or teach.
Rheumatology Training Opportunity
January 5, 2026
Attention rural Wisconsin primary care providers! Take advantage of a unique, grant-funded opportunity to bring rheumatology training directly to your rural hospital.
Partners Invited to Share Experiences with the Orion Initiative
August 27, 2025
The Orion Initiative is gathering stories from our provider partners. These experiences provide valuable perspective on what’s working well in communities, highlight moments of success and point to areas where additional support may be needed.
Physician Retention Grant Opportunity
March 9, 2026
Learn more about the Retain–Primary Care Provider program, offered through the Orion Initiative at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Physician Recruitment Grant Opportunity for Rural Hospitals
February 9, 2026
Attention rural hospitals! Learn how to become a Recruit-PCP partner site and access funding to offer primary care physicians time to work on a community project, research and/or teach.
Rheumatology Training Opportunity
January 5, 2026
Attention rural Wisconsin primary care providers! Take advantage of a unique, grant-funded opportunity to bring rheumatology training directly to your rural hospital.
Media Inquiries
For media requests, interviews or additional information about the Orion Initiative, please contact Kelsey McDermott, Communications Manager, at kmcdermott5@wisc.edu.
