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.

09/02/2026

Simulation training prepares EMS providers for the moments they hope never come.

Just weeks after participating in STARS-PPC pediatric emergency training, Green Lake County EMS providers responded to a call involving two critically injured children. Following the incident, participating providers reported applying pediatric assessment, triage and stabilization techniques learned through the program and described feeling more confident managing a rare, high-acuity pediatric emergency.

When rural EMS teams have opportunities to practice these low-frequency, high-stakes scenarios, they are better prepared to deliver lifesaving care when every second counts.

08/31/2026

Every marker represents a partnership that's helping improve health in rural Wisconsin.

20 partners across 19 Wisconsin counties and growing.

In the coming months, we'll introduce you to many of our newest partners and the innovative work happening in their communities.

Explore our growing network at orioninitiative.org.

Strong partnerships are helping expand pediatric emergency training in rural Wisconsin.Through the STARS-Pediatric Preho...
08/20/2026

Strong partnerships are helping expand pediatric emergency training in rural Wisconsin.

Through the STARS-Pediatric Prehospital Care program, Dr. Kyle Schoppel and partners are working alongside rural EMS agencies to deliver hands-on simulation training that prepares first responders to care for critically ill and injured children.

Together, they're building sustainable training models that strengthen pediatric emergency care for rural communities across Wisconsin.

Learn more about STARS-PPC: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-pediatric-prehospital-care /

Kelsey McDermott is the communications manager for the Orion Initiative. She brings more than a decade of experience in ...
08/17/2026

Kelsey McDermott is the communications manager for the Orion Initiative. She brings more than a decade of experience in communications, digital marketing and graphic design, and leads strategic communications, manages digital platforms and collaborates with partners to amplify the initiative's impact on rural health access across Wisconsin.

Previously, Kelsey served at the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, where she co-led statewide campaigns to promote health insurance enrollment and improve health literacy.

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

08/12/2026

In Adams County, the Orion Initiative's Recruit-Primary Care Provider (Recruit-PCP) grant program helped support the successful recruitment of Dr. Rayan Lungba to Emplify Health by Gundersen Friendship Area Hospital.

In this video, Lori Wittig, hospital administrator, and Dr. Lungba share how Recruit-PCP helped strengthen recruitment efforts, support meaningful community engagement and foster connections between a physician and the community she now serves.

Watch the video to learn how rural communities are using innovative approaches to recruit and retain physicians.

The Wisconsin Idea is rooted in the belief that education should influence people's lives beyond the boundaries of the c...
08/10/2026

The Wisconsin Idea is rooted in the belief that education should influence people's lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

At the Orion Initiative, we're putting that principle into practice by connecting UW academic specialists with rural communities across Wisconsin.

Through programs like STARS-R, rural physicians are gaining specialized skills that help them provide more care close to home. At The Richland Hospital and Clinics, Orion's rheumatology training program helped local physicians build the confidence and skills to diagnose and treat more patients locally, including using ultrasound and performing procedures that can provide much-needed relief.

It's one example of how sharing knowledge beyond campus can strengthen health care across our state.

The Wisconsin Idea in action. When rural communities thrive, Wisconsin thrives.

For patients in rural communities, transportation and distance can make accessing specialty care a challenge. Through th...
08/05/2026

For patients in rural communities, transportation and distance can make accessing specialty care a challenge. Through the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) program, Vernon Health is helping strengthen local access to care and connections between primary care and UW academic specialists.

Through STARS-R, the Orion Initiative is helping rural providers expand their skills and strengthen local care teams, helping more patients access rheumatology care closer to home.

08/03/2026

Every month, Green Lake County EMS providers come together to strengthen their pediatric emergency care skills through the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Pediatric Prehospital Care (STARS-PPC) program.

Last month’s session focused on pediatric burn and trauma care, giving providers the opportunity to practice skills, ask questions and learn alongside pediatric emergency academic specialists. It's this ongoing training that helps rural EMS teams respond with confidence when every second counts.

Here's a behind the scenes look at July’s training.

Learn more about STARS-PPC: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-pediatric-prehospital-care/

Behind every Specialty Training at Rural Sites (STARS) training session is a partnership between rural providers and UW ...
07/30/2026

Behind every Specialty Training at Rural Sites (STARS) training session is a partnership between rural providers and UW academic specialists.

UW Dermatology faculty member Dr. Jeanette Comstock is working alongside physicians at Lafayette Hospital + Clinics through the STARS-Dermatology program, bringing specialty expertise and collaborative learning opportunities to this rural health care team.

STARS-D grant funds support these collaborations to expand rural provider dermatology skills and allow patients to receive care locally.

Learn more about STARS-D: https://www.orioninitiative.org/our-work/specialty-training-at-rural-sites-dermatology/

The Orion Initiative's long-form video recently received Gold distinctions from both the Viddy Awards and the Healthcare...
07/28/2026

The Orion Initiative's long-form video recently received Gold distinctions from both the Viddy Awards and the Healthcare Advertising Awards.

We're proud to see the stories of Wisconsin's rural providers and academic medical community recognized on a national and international level. Thank you to the partners who shared their experiences.

This recognition reflects the people, partnerships and innovation driving rural health care forward across Wisconsin.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTVhxyfk8Ek

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750 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
53705

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