May 28, 2026

On Deck with Samantha Peck

Rural Hospital & Clinics Program Manager, samantha.peck@wisc.edu

"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."

Those familiar with this quote (attributed to many different sources but most commonly Albert Einstein) will know how relevant it is to the healthcare environment. As many benchmarks and scores as I see, nothing quite compares to the way a nurse shares their new motivation from a process change or a financial officer candidly discusses how a new policy has shaped their margins. 

I have recently visited several of your hospitals and have a few more visits scheduled - and it is so helpful for me to walk through the hallways hearing all the nuances behind the numbers. 

While most of my site visits so far have been focused on hospitals with ongoing Flex funded D2H projects, I don't want to miss the full picture of the many hospitals doing incredible work in Wisconsin. If you have any special events happening, service lines or new clinics opening, unique practices you're piloting and want to share, let me know!

I have the humbling dual privileges of being a steward of funds intended to boost your work (within certain parameters), and having a channel through which to share hospital trends, challenges, and suggestions. Please reach out and invite me to visit you, so that your unique landscapes can shape our work. 

Samantha's route from Cumberland to Ladysmith, where practice did not align with theory.

She made it to Marshfield Medical Center - Ladysmith!

CAH Quality Corner

Did you get a calendar invite for MBQIP due dates?

If not, email Samantha to get on the list to receive MBQIP reporting events linked to your calendar!

• Be sure to let us know who submits each MBQIP measure to be added to the specific measure's invite.
• Another opportunity to express this will be included in the SHIP Final Report form coming soon.

Dr. Kristine Flowers, Family Medicine, and her patient in Antigo photographed by Peter Vance.

SHIP Grant

Submit invoices ASAP for reimbursement for the 2025-26 grant year!

May 31st is the last day to incur expenses for reimbursement and June 15th is the last day to send an invoice.

Invoicing tips

• Reference this Example SHIP Invoice for instructions on completing the invoice.
• The Purchase Order (P.O.) Number is found in the first line of your Funding Award Agreement with UW Madison and appears as #CON-0000xxxx.
• Email invoices for HCAHPS and other pre-approved expenses* directly to the UW's Research and Sponsored Programs team for reimbursement using the invoice template below.

*SHIP expenses

Hospitals that selected the direct funding option must use their funds for purchasing HCAHPS first. Any leftover funding can be used for other pre-approved expenses discussed with Samantha Peck.

Learn

Grant Writing Without Grief Webinar - WORH

Friday, June 5, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• This webinar equips health care staff involved in program development and funding with the skills to interpret RFPs, craft compelling grant proposals, and align projects with funder priorities to improve their success in securing funding.
• Virtual, no cost.

6th Annual Virtual CAH Conference - Stroudwater

Tuesday, June 9, 10 a.m. - Thursday, June 18, 2:00 p.m.

• This event brings together clinical, financial, operational, and strategic best practices and real-world case studies from Critical Access Hospitals.
• Virtual, no cost.

Promoting Food Security in Northern Wisconsin - Wisconsin Partnership Program

Thursday, June 11, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

• Learn about a WPP-supported community-academic partnership between Marshfield Clinic and UW-Stevens Point to improve food security for children and families in rural northern WI. 
• Location: UW-Stevens Point University Center, Stevens Point.
• Cost: None. Light refreshments provided.

Conflict Resolution for Emergency Responders - Resolution Center, Inc.

Monday, July 27, 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. or Tuesday, August 18, 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

• Learn how to support your well-being by effectively responding to interpersonal conflict, both at work and at home, through this highly interactive 1-day training.
• Location: Chippewa Falls (July 27) and Waupaca (August 18).
• Cost: $25 per person, with lunch provided.

NEW! Rural Health University - NOSORH

• Explore on-demand and live courses geared toward rural health professionals.
• Courses available: Financial Literacy for Nonprofit & Government Organizations, Fundamentals of Rural Grant Writing, Developing Competitive Grant Proposals.
• Cost varies per course.

Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac photographed by Michael Knapstein.

Grants

Emergency Response Equipment Grant - Compeer Financial

• Amount: Up to $7,500.
• Application due date: May 31.
• Who can apply: Rural volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance departments located within the Compeer Financial Service Area.
• Description: Grants for essential response and responder safety equipment.

NEW! The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - USDA

• Amount: $10,000 to $500,000+ over three years.
• Application due date: June 16.
• Who can apply: Government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
• Description: Funding for projects that will increase the purchase of fruit and vegetables among low-income consumers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Three levels of funding and project scope. A 1 to 1 non-federal match is required.

NEW! Assistance to Firefighters Grants - Department of Homeland Security - FEMA

• Amount: Up to $9 million over two years.
• Application due date: June 22.
• Who can apply: Fire departments and non-affiliated EMS agencies.
• Description: Assistance to equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards. Allowable expenses include vehicles, facility modifications, equipment, and wellness/fitness programs. A match up to 10%, depending on population served, is required. 

Rheumatology Grant Opportunity – Orion Initiative

• Amount: Amount varies based on factors such as the number of PCPs participating and whether equipment is purchased.
• Application due date: Spring/Summer 2026 for Fall 2026 start; Fall/Winter 2026 for Spring 2027 start.
• Who can apply: Rural hospitals.
• Description: Through the Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) grant opportunity, rural PCPs gain hands-on rheumatology and musculoskeletal training at no cost. Much of the training can occur without leaving the clinic, and participating hospitals are reimbursed for the time PCPs spend in training.

Seeds for Stewardship Grants - CHS

• Amount: $1,000-$10,000.
• Application due date: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis; can apply for and receive two grants/year.
• Who can apply: Any member-cooperative, such as Cenex, or CHS ag retail location is eligible to apply. Grant requests must be submitted by a cooperative on behalf of a local organization.
• Description: Grants for projects that strengthen communities. Project examples include health and safety education programs students. equipment for emergency responders, and grain bin safety equipment and training.

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

NEW! Maternity Care Team - University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center

• The Maternity Care Team leads work documenting obstetric care access and conducting research on access to care around the time of childbirth for pregnant patients and infants, as well as maternal and infant health outcomes.

Apply for Awards

Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award - American Hospital Association

• Application Deadline: June 23.
• Award that honors the accomplishments of rural hospitals that demonstrate responsiveness, innovation, and excellence in developing, implementing, and sustaining programs and services.
• Geographic coverage: Nationwide.

Photo Features

Send us your pictures of rural Wisconsin life to be featured in Rural Health Radar!

Email pictures to Megan and include a brief description, where the photo was taken, and the name of the photographer.

"Ride for Rescue" event for the benefit of Crivitz Rescue Squad photographed by Barb Uhl.

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