Orion Initiative

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Madison, WI
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.

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.

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.

03/03/2026

ICYMI: Last fall, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel featured an opinion piece by Dr. Amy Kind! The article highlights how the Orion Initiative partners with rural hospitals and clinicians to identify local needs and co-design innovative solutions with University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health academic medical experts.

Together, we’re strengthening access to high-quality care and building healthier communities across Wisconsin.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/2025/10/22/rural-wisconsin-healthcare-hospital-doctor-rheumatology-uw/86733142007/

02/25/2026

Our spring newsletter arrives next month, and you will not want to miss it!

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside:
🎥 An exciting spotlight on our rural partners.
🌟 A NEW opportunity for rural primary care physicians.

Make sure you’re on the list.

Sign up for our quarterly newsletter now:
https://www.orioninitiative.org/partner-with-us/

02/24/2026

Megan Miller serves as the chief operating officer for the Orion Initiative and the chief administrative officer for the Office of Social Health Sciences and Programs at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health .

As Orion Initiative COO, Megan leads strategic planning, manages staff and operations and serves as a key liaison to internal and external partners.

She also serves as executive administrative director for the Wisconsin Partnership Program and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for Health Disparities Research, helping align efforts across initiatives focused on improving health access throughout Wisconsin.

02/19/2026

Fewer than 5% of physicians grew up in rural communities. This continues to drive persistent workforce shortages across rural America.

Programs such as the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM) aim to address this gap by recruiting and training students committed to improving rural health.

One WARM scholar supported by the Orion Initiative grew up in Wisconsin and sees rural communities as home to family, connections and future opportunities. With new training experiences and dedicated support, this scholar is preparing for a career focused on strengthening health care access throughout the state.

We are proud to support WARM scholars as they begin this work early in their medical education.

02/18/2026

The Orion Initiative is part of the Office of Social Health Sciences and Programs (OSHSP) at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Led by Dr. Amy Kind, OSHSP brings together grantmaking and research programs focused on eliminating health disparities. The Orion Initiative is part of a strong network that includes the Wisconsin Partnership Program , Center for Health Disparities Research and others.

Together, we’re building a stronger health future for Wisconsin’s rural communities.

https://www.orioninitiative.org

02/11/2026

Last week at the Wisconsin EMS Association conference in Green Bay, our booth was busy with information sharing and robotic manikin demonstrations provided by University of Wisconsin Department of Emergency Medicine faculty. It was great to connect with EMS professionals from across Wisconsin and beyond.

02/09/2026

Patients in Friendship, Wisconsin had gone without a full-time family medicine physician for seven years.

Last year Emplify Health by Gundersen Friendship Area welcomed Dr. Rayan Lungba to lead care in Adams County. Dr. Lungba was hired as part of the Orion Initiative's Recruit-Primary Care Provider program. She's brought consistent access to primary care as a board-certified family medicine physician with fellowship training in geriatrics.

The Orion Initiative is expanding its Recruit-PCP program to help more rural hospitals strengthen their workforce. Learn more about this opportunity: https://www.orioninitiative.org/2026/02/09/physician-recruitment-grant-opportunity-for-rural-hospitals/

02/04/2026

With funding support from the Orion Initiative, Green Lake County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers from Southern Green Lake County Ambulance and Berlin EMS are partnering with the University of Wisconsin Department of Emergency Medicine to receive hands-on pediatric prehospital care training in Green Lake.

Last month, participants completed realistic simulations and hands-on exercises to build the skills needed to care for children experiencing respiratory distress.

Green Lake County EMS providers will participate in monthly training sessions throughout 2026, with a different area of focus each month.

Learn more: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/green-lake-county-berlin-ambulance/

02/03/2026

Family medicine residents who spend 50% or more of their training in rural settings are at least five times more likely to practice in a rural community. It's a finding that demonstrates the importance of targeted rural training programs.

One Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM) scholar supported by the Orion Initiative spent time in ambulances and emergency departments across south-central Wisconsin. These experiences offered firsthand exposure to the complex needs of rural communities and strengthened a commitment to practicing where need is greatest.

The Orion Initiative is proud to support WARM scholars as they develop the skills to serve patients and communities across rural Wisconsin.

Address

750 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
53705

Website

https://www.orioninitiative.org/

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