Orion Initiative

Rural providers participating in the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) grant program are expanding access to specialty care close to home for patients across Wisconsin.

One participating rural physician shared that their “ability to treat patients is light years ahead of what it was last year.”

The STARS-R grant program is continuing to grow. Learn how your rural hospital can apply for funding and bring rheumatology training opportunities to your community: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/01/05/new-rheumatology-training-opportunity/

Looking for new ways to recruit primary care physicians?

Recruit-PCP helps rural hospitals attract talent by supporting protected time for community projects beyond clinical care.

Applications close June 26.

Learn more and apply: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/02/09/physician-recruitment-grant-opportunity-for-rural-hospitals/

This summer update highlights new and ongoing opportunities across the Orion Initiative, including grant program updates, along with recent stories and partner highlights.

From expanded training opportunities to new collaborations and recent events, this edition shares how our partnerships are continuing to strengthen health care access across Wisconsin.

Explore what’s new and stay connected as Orion continues to grow: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/06/17/orion-update-summer-2026/

Maddy Vantassel, CHES®, is the project and engagement officer for the Orion Initiative. She brings experience in rural health, community outreach and program development, and supports rural health partners by coordinating engagement efforts and advancing health access across Wisconsin.

Previously, Maddy worked with GROW La Crosse and rural public libraries on initiatives promoting health equity and community wellbeing.

Learn more about the Orion team: https://www.orioninitiative.org/about-us/our-team/

This week, we join the academic medicine community in recognizing Academic Medicine Week.

Academic medicine plays a critical role in training the next generation of health care professionals, advancing research and strengthening patient care. Through partnerships between rural providers and academic medicine, we are expanding access to high-quality health care and support a stronger workforce for Wisconsin.

We're grateful for the academic partners who help advance Orion's mission to improve rural health care across the state.

We are excited to partner with Southwest Health in Platteville through the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Dermatology (STARS-D) grant program.

Southwest Health is a rural hospital serving patients across Grant County and southwest Wisconsin. Through STARS-D, rural primary care providers are receiving training and support to expand their dermatology skills and provide more care locally.

By helping providers assess and manage dermatologic conditions closer to home, STARS-D will help reduce long travel times and wait periods for specialty appointments while improving access to timely, high-quality care in rural communities. Learn more: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-dermatology/

The Orion Initiative’s Retain-PCP program is now open to more rural physicians interested in leading a community health project.

Receive protected time to explore and lead a community project while continuing your clinical practice.

✔ Simple application
✔ Time to build community connections
✔ Flexible timelines to plan for reduced clinical time
✔ No established partnerships required to apply

Applications are open now!

Learn more: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/03/09/physician-retention-grant-opportunity/

The Orion Initiative was proud to share its work at the National Rural Health Association’s 49th Annual Rural Health Conference.

Dr. Nicole Bonk presented the poster Beyond the Ivory Tower: Expanding Rural Specialty Expertise, highlighting Orion’s innovative approach to connecting academic specialists with rural health care providers to address gaps in specialty access and support provider well-being.

The poster reflects the collaborative work of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and rural partners working together to expand specialty expertise and strengthen access to high-quality rural health care.

Poster authors:
Nicole Bonk, MD, MMM
Justin Levinson, MD, MBA
Daniel D. Bennett, MD
Manish N. Shah, MD, MPH
Amy J.H. Kind, MD, PhD
Christie Bartels, MD, MS

Earlier this month, Dr. Christie Bartels shared strategies for overcoming rural health barriers during her presentation, “Overcoming Wisconsin’s Rural Health Barriers,” at the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality’s Health Disparities Assembly.

Her session explored opportunities to improve access to health care, address disparities affecting rural communities and advance practical strategies to strengthen care across Wisconsin, work that reflects the Orion Initiative’s commitment to expanding access through partnership and innovation.