July 24, 2025

Certificate of Achievement to Wisconsin Flex Program for outstanding MBQIP Performance

Hospital Highlight: Wisconsin MBQIP Award!


We're thrilled to share good news from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy - Wisconsin’s CAHs have claimed a Top-10 spot nationally for MBQIP quality reporting and performance!


Thank you for your hard work integrating best practices to reach or exceed benchmarks, and thanks to all those who report this data to help us recognize the successes we can celebrate! 



On Deck with Samantha Peck



As the Flex year starts to wind down, we are reflecting on all the hard work you've put into improvement initiatives across different areas. The final report template will be sent out on Monday to all facilities that have received mini-grants, due on September 16. We are excited to tell the story of your exceptional care and initiative to our federal funders! 


Another reason to keep an eye on your inbox: SHIP contracts are coming! There is light at the end of the tunnel of federal delays and UW administrative transformation. UW's Research and Sponsored Programs team have indicated that you should start receiving agreements for signature by mid-August. Please take a moment to double check that your SAM.gov registration is current, and let us know soon if there are any changes in contact details! 


Due Soon



Q2 2025 Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) due July 31, 2025.

  • Did you receive an email with a Qualtrics link on July 3? If not, please contact Megan Polster.
  • MBQIP measures for CAHs.


Hotel Booking for Healthcare Quality Data Sanity Workshop

Tuesday, August 26, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • Learn to analyze and interpret data and use Excel to uncover opportunities for improvements.
  • Sponsored by WORH, facilitated in partnership with WHA and RWHC.
  • Location: Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells, WI
  •  Hotel room block rate expires on July 26!
  • Cost: $50 per hospital, two attendees per hospital
  • Learn more and register

Learn



2025 Independent Rural Health Clinic Institute

Tuesday, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, and August 5, from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET - virtual

  • Join Stroudwater Associates and NOSORH at no cost for a four-part Institute focusing on chronic care management for independent Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
  • Learn more and register


Grants Without Grief: A Grant Writing Webinar Series

Friday, July 18, July 25, and August 1, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - virtual

  • Learn to identify appropriate funders, develop budgets, plan for sustainability, and write with confidence.
  • Facilitated by WORH and presented by Jeremy T. Miner, Associate Director of Pre-Award in the UW-Milwaukee Office of Sponsored Programs.
  • Cost: $75, with access to all three sessions and copies of presentations.
  • Learn more and register by July 15.


International Association of Firefighters: Peer Support Training

Sunday and Monday, August 3 - 4 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Knowledge and skills to provide support to your peers and to build or enhance your peer team.
  • Sponsored by WORH, hosted by the Professional Firefighters of WI Charitable Foundation.
  • Location: Wausau Fire Dept. Station 2, Wausau, WI
  • Cost: $50 per participant
  • Contact Kristen Herreid for questions and registration (kristen@pffwcf.org or 262-949-4346)


International Association of Firefighters: Resiliency Training

Tuesday, August 5 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Gain an essential foundation of resiliency on and off the job. Learn how to respond to stressful situations and challenge personal and occupational barriers to nutrition and exercise.
  • Sponsored by WORH, hosted by the Professional Firefighters of WI Charitable Foundation.
  • Location: Wausau Fire Dept. Station 2, Wausau, WI
  • Cost: $50 per participant
  • Learn more and register


WHA Hospital Finance Workshop

Friday, August 8, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

  • In-person workshop focused on key state and federal regulatory updates, current compliance requirements, and the evolving health care finance landscape.
  • Sponsored by WORH, facilitated in partnership with WHA and RWHC.
  • Location: Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, Sauk City, WI
  • Cost: $50 per attendee
  • Learn more and register


NEW! Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP) - National Rural Health Resource Center

Applications are now being considered for the next cohort starting in the fall.

  • RHSP helps rural hospitals improve their financial stability by enhancing or expanding health care services that meet community needs and keep care close to home.
  • Eligible hospitals include critical access hospitals, prospective payment system hospitals, rural emergency hospitals and Indian Health Service hospitals.
  • Apply by August 20, 2025.


NEW! Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute Annual Update

Friday, September 19, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Updates on new therapeutics and research, build clinical skills, earn continuing education credits, and find resources and support for providing quality dementia care.
  • Location: Memorial Union, UW-Madison
  • Cost: $250 per attendee
  • Learn more and register


AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program

Online, Self-paced, Continuing Education

  • 23 hours of continuing nursing education, led by experts in agricultural health and safety.
  • Sponsored free openings on first-come, first-served basis.
  • Learn more and apply

Grants



Walmart Foundation Spark Good Local Grants

  • Applications accepted and reviewed quarterly; next deadline is October 15.
  • $250 to $5,000
  • Grants to support local organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where Walmart operates, including Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Distribution Centers.
  • Open to 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, schools, faith-based organizations.


Firehouse Subs First Responder Grants

  • Ongoing applications accepted for up to $45,000
  • Grants for first responders and public safety organizations for life-saving equipment (e.g., AEDs, vehicle extraction equipment, ATVs), public education (e.g., CPR training), and scholarships.
  • Learn more and apply


Please contact Kevin Jacobson, WORH Loan Assistance Program Manager, for help identifying grant opportunities to support your important work or go to the WORH website.

Review




OBBB Impacts on Rural Communities - National Rural Health Association and Manatt

  • Four-page explainer on the estimated impact on Medicaid Enrollment and Hospital Expenditures in Rural Communities.


UW-Madison Medical Training Improves Healthcare for Rural Communities

  • The Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM) is reimagining the pipeline from medical school to rural practice, allowing students to relocate for 28 months of their training to participate in rural medicine. 


National Government Services RuralServ Newsletter July 2025

  • A CMS Medicare Administrative Contractor dedication to keeping rural providers informed about changes to Medicare and available training opportunities.
Samantha Peck and Megan Polster receiving the MBQIP Award from Sarah Heppner.

Out and About:

Flex Program Reverse Site Visit


Samantha and Megan were in Washington D.C. last week meeting with other State Offices of Rural Health to share ideas and to learn strategies to better serve Wisconsin’s rural hospitals. 


They are pictured receiving the MBQIP Award with Sarah Heppner, Associate Director of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

Looking for past issues of Rural Health Radar? Perhaps you saw something important, and need a reminder of the registration or application deadline? We've got your back. See past issues on our website near the newsletter sign-up section.


Your feedback on this newsletter and our overall communication efforts are always welcome, too.

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