Orion Initiative
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Pediatric EMS training. Physician recruitment and retention. Training in specialty fields.
The Orion Initiative improves health in rural communities by investing in the transformative power of partnership between frontline rural providers and the academic medical community. In partnership with the Orion Initiative, frontline rural providers and academic physicians are rolling up their sleeves to strengthen the rural health care workforce and support clinicians in rural communities. They
06/02/2026
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
05/27/2026
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.
On EMS for Children Day, we’re proud to highlight our partnership with University of Wisconsin Department of Emergency Medicine and Green Lake County EMS providers to strengthen pediatric emergency preparedness in rural Wisconsin through Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Pediatric Prehospital Care (STARS-PPC).
STARS-PPC equips rural EMS providers with hands-on pediatric emergency training using sophisticated, life-like robotic manikins.
The program includes:
➡️ Training across a full spectrum of pediatric emergencies, from neonatal resuscitation to trauma and septic shock
➡️ Seasonally tailored scenarios, including respiratory distress during flu season and burns during the summer
➡️ Realistic simulation experiences that help providers build confidence before facing these critical situations in the field
As Berlin EMS Chief Evan VandenLangenberg explains, rural EMS teams are often the first and only point of emergency care. Preparing them for pediatric emergencies helps ensure children receive high-quality care when and where they need it most.
Hear from Berlin EMS and UW emergency medicine leaders about how this work is strengthening care statewide and learn more on our website:
https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/05/20/ems-for-children-day-highlights-rural-pediatric-emergency-preparedness-through-stars-ppc/
Dr. Christie Bartels shares how rural patients benefit when rheumatology care comes directly to their communities through the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) grant program.
In Richland Center, a patient had received multiple rheumatology referrals but lacked transportation to Madison. After receiving a collaborative consultation, including local onsite exam guidance and lab review, the patient was told she only needed periodic monitoring done at her local clinic.
This story highlights how expanding specialty care in rural areas can remove barriers and support patients where they live.
The STARS-R grant program is now expanding! Learn how your rural hospital can apply for funding: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/01/05/new-rheumatology-training-opportunity/
05/13/2026
Access to specialty care should not depend on geography.
At Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston, Wisconsin, the Specialty Training at Rural Sites–Rheumatology (STARS-R) grant program will help bring care closer to home through partnership with the Orion Initiative and UW academic rheumatologists.
After a kickoff meeting in December 2025, the team officially began work together in March, marking the start of a strong new partnership.
We are excited to partner with Mile Bluff as the STARS-R program continues to grow.
Learn more about STARS-R: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-rheumatology/
What does it take to recruit a physician to a rural community after seven years?
At Emplify Health by Gundersen Friendship Area, it started with partnership.
Hear from Administrator Lori Wittig on how Recruit-PCP is helping rural hospitals strengthen their primary care workforce through a model that supports both physicians and communities.
Learn more about Recruit-PCP: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/02/09/physician-recruitment-grant-opportunity-for-rural-hospitals/
05/07/2026
Veronica Rueckert is the chief communications officer (CCO) for the Orion Initiative and the Office of Social Health Sciences and Programs. Most recently, she served as media relations manager in the Office of Strategic Communication, where she helped share the story of UW–Madison through earned media, expert promotion, proactive and reactive news and thought leadership. She also founded and led the Media Fellows program to prepare faculty and leadership for media engagement.
As Orion Initiative CCO, Veronica leads strategic communications, oversees messaging and brand alignment and supports partnerships across internal and external audiences.
At The Richland Hospital and Clinics, high-quality care close to home is a priority.
Through the Orion Initiative’s Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) grant program, Richland primary care providers received on-site training that now allows them to offer patients access to rheumatology and musculoskeletal care in their community.
Hear from CEO Bruce Roesler on the impact.
The STARS-R grant program is now expanding! Learn how your rural hospital can apply for funding: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-rheumatology/
04/30/2026
Thank you to The Richland Hospital and Clinics for nominating its partnership with the Orion Initiative for Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Rural Development Initiatives!
This collaboration reflects what is possible when rural providers and academic specialists work together to expand access to care close to home.
Learn more: https://www.wiruralpartners.org/2026-TRDI-Award-Winner-and-Nominees/
04/28/2026
Behind STARS-Dermatology is a partnership between UW academic dermatologists and rural physicians working together to expand access to specialty care.
Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Dermatology helps equip rural primary care physicians to diagnose and manage common skin conditions close to home.
Additional STARS-D grant opportunities for rural hospitals are expected later this year.
Learn more about STARS-D: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-dermatology/
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750 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
53705