Orion Initiative

Orion Initiative 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

all align with our mission to build bridges between rural providers and academic medical communities to move the needle on increased access to high-quality health care in rural communities. The Orion Initiative is a program within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

04/16/2026

Hands-on STARS-R training at The Richland Hospital and Clinics is helping physicians deliver rheumatology and musculoskeletal care close to home.

Now, the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology grant program is expanding to support even more rural hospitals.

👉 Learn how to bring no-cost, onsite training to your rural hospital and clinics! https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/01/05/new-rheumatology-training-opportunity/

The Orion Initiative has awarded new Specialty Training at Rural Sites (STARS) grants to Mile Bluff Medical Center, Vern...
04/14/2026

The Orion Initiative has awarded new Specialty Training at Rural Sites (STARS) grants to Mile Bluff Medical Center, Vernon Health, Southwest Health and Lafayette Hospital + Clinics.

Through hands-on training with academic physicians from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, rural primary care providers will expand skills in rheumatology and dermatology and strengthen access to care close to home.

Read the press release: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/04/08/orion-initiative-awards-four-grants-to-rural-hospitals-for-onsite-specialty-training/

Jennifer Stegall is the administrative associate director of the Orion Initiative, bringing expertise in health policy a...
04/02/2026

Jennifer Stegall is the administrative associate director of the Orion Initiative, bringing expertise in health policy and program management.

Before joining the Orion Initiative, Jennifer was executive senior policy advisor at the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, leading health care projects and a $230 million reinsurance program. She also served on the Wisconsin Partnership Program Oversight and Advisory Committee, reviewing grants on social determinants of health and health equity.

Today, on National Doctors’ Day, we recognize physicians who care for patients, families and communities every day. Reco...
03/30/2026

Today, on National Doctors’ Day, we recognize physicians who care for patients, families and communities every day.

Recognizing the need for innovative solutions to address physician burnout, the Orion Initiative developed Retain-Primary Care Provider, a grant opportunity for rural primary care physicians. The program provides protected time for physicians to lead community health projects that strengthen local connection and improve community well-being.

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

Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis through May 15.

03/24/2026

Dr. Brian Kroll, a family physician at The Richland Hospital and Clinics , says partnering with UW academic rheumatologists helps his team improve patient care by giving guidance earlier, offering reassurance and starting treatment plans sooner.

The Specialty Training at Rural Sites–Rheumatology (STARS-R) program offered Dr. Kroll training in ultrasound administration and expanded in-clinic procedures, skills that give patients faster answers and meaningful relief close to home.

Learn more about STARS-R: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/the-richland-hospital-and-clinics/

The Orion Initiative joined family physicians from across Wisconsin at the 56th Annual Winter Refresher Course for two d...
03/20/2026

The Orion Initiative joined family physicians from across Wisconsin at the 56th Annual Winter Refresher Course for two days of education and connection.

During Thursday’s lunch program, Dr. Christie Bartels shared information about our Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) program, highlighting opportunities available to rural primary care providers.

We also enjoyed connecting with attendees throughout the conference. Dr. Nicole Bonk and Maddy Vantassel shared information about our grant opportunities and spoke with physicians from across the state.

Thank you to the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical College of Wisconsin for convening the Wisconsin family medicine community.

By 2037, the Health Resources and Services Administration projects a national shortfall of about 87,000 primary care phy...
03/18/2026

By 2037, the Health Resources and Services Administration projects a national shortfall of about 87,000 primary care physicians, with rural communities expected to be most affected.

Programs like the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM) help prepare future physicians to meet this need. One WARM scholar supported by the Orion Initiative was drawn to rural medicine by the unique opportunities it offers. Seeing how rural physicians often wear multiple hats to meet patient needs in resource-limited settings deepened this scholar’s commitment to serving rural communities throughout a future career.

We are proud to support WARM scholars as they train to bring high-quality care to rural communities.

Dr. Nicole Bonk is the chief medical officer for clinical operations and recruitment initiatives at the Orion Initiative...
03/11/2026

Dr. Nicole Bonk is the chief medical officer for clinical operations and recruitment initiatives at the Orion Initiative. She is a family medicine-trained academic physician with a strong background in hospital operations.

Before joining the Orion Initiative, Dr. Bonk served as vice chief of clinical operations for hospital medicine at the University of Wisconsin. There, she led the clinical functions of more than 80 physicians at several sites across the region.

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

03/09/2026

What does it look like when rural providers and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health academic physicians partner to improve access to high quality care in rural communities? Watch our new video to find out.

The Orion initiative is supporting rural EMS providers, empowering clinicians and building sustainable solutions for communities across Wisconsin.

We believe partnership is the strategy. Innovation is reciprocal. And rural communities should have full access to high-quality care.

In its second year, the Orion Initiative reached important new milestones. It impacted 1,364 patients and engaged 19 rur...
03/04/2026

In its second year, the Orion Initiative reached important new milestones. It impacted 1,364 patients and engaged 19 rural sites. In the process, it laid the groundwork for rapid scale across Wisconsin and a not-so-distant future when rural health care providers across the state will benefit from the Orion Initiative’s impact.

The Orion Initiative is more than a grantmaking program. It is the future of stronger, more accessible health care in rural communities.

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750 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
53705

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