Orion Initiative
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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
06/15/2026
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/
06/12/2026
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.
06/10/2026
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/
06/08/2026
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/
One year ago today, the Orion Initiative celebrated its official launch.
Over the past year, Orion has brought together rural health care providers, academic partners and community leaders to advance solutions that strengthen health care access across Wisconsin’s rural communities.
Orion focuses on building meaningful partnerships, supporting rural clinicians and laying the groundwork for innovative strategies that address workforce challenges and improve access to care locally.
This milestone reflects the collective efforts of partners across the state who share a commitment to ensuring rural communities have access to high-quality health care.
We remain focused on expanding collaboration, deepening impact and continuing to create opportunities that support the health of rural Wisconsin.
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/
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Madison, WI
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