20 Years!
Celebrating John Eich, Director of Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, on his 20 years at WORH.
| John joined WORH in 2005 as a program manager, and was appointed Director in 2006. Though he grew up in rural Wisconsin, his path to rural health was unusual. "I've done many things over the years - advertising, social work, carpentry. After moving to a small, remote town in New Mexico, a friend surprised me by asking me to apply for a job I had no experience in!" That job, coordinating a county health council, marked the beginning of a career in community health, and led to his role as Director of WORH after moving back home. | It also serves as a constant anchor in the statewide work he does now. "Whenever we plan a new initiative, I imagine hearing about it at my desk in the community office. Does it sound useful? How would we implement it?" | | Over two decades, John has become a trusted advocate for rural providers and leaders, helping bridge the gap between small towns and policy makers. He notes, "People often ask, 'Why is an Office of Rural Health in Madison?' Because legislators and state agencies are important audiences for this work. Our job is to raise a hand in the room full of urban colleagues and ask, 'How does that work in rural settings?'". | |
John is vocal about ensuring rural perspectives are not overshadowed by urban-centric policies. "The people making decisions are almost always in urban centers, so they naturally see things through an urban lens. But solutions that fit large, dense populations don't always work well in smaller towns and spread-out areas."
It's been 20 years of change at the Office of Rural Health. "We started with a paper newsletter and recruiting deals sealed with a handshake. Today we're connecting people on social media, working on AI issues, and incorporating quality improvement into every facet."
| Join us as we thank John for his 20 years of service to the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health and the people living in small towns and rural areas throughout Wisconsin. | | | Get ready to celebrate NRHD on Thursday, November 20 with these free downloadable resources. | | |
New! Rheumatology Training Opportunity
- The Orion Initiative is offering Specialty Training at Rural Sites-Rheumatology (STARS-R) for primary care physicians to gain hands-on rheumatology skills.
- Grants are available for two rural hospital sites, with training starting in early 2026.
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If interested, contact Jennifer Stegall.
CMS Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization - Great Lakes Region.
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Superior Health Quality Alliance will provide no-cost technical assistance to eligible providers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
- Includes support for chronic disease management, behavioral health integration, patient safety, care coordination, and health care quality.
- Reach out to Superior Health QA for more information.
- To access this assistance, complete the enrollment form.
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CCAM TAC: Breaking Down Barriers to Access in Rural Communities - virtual.
Wednesday, November 12, 2:00 p.m.
- Explore how CCAM TAC connects the dots between transportation, health, and human services and how these partnerships can strengthen your community.
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New! Wisconsin EMS Association's November Educational Webinar: Rural Health Day - virtual.
Thursday, November 20, 6:00 p.m.
- This webinar will explore the vital role of rural EMS providers and systems sustaining emergency care across Wisconsin and highlight first responder wellbeing.
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2025 Primary Care Conference - in-person or virtual, CEUs available.
Thursday and Friday, November 20 - 21.
- Explore the latest advancements, strategies, and best practices in primary care and engage with colleagues and leading experts in the field.
- Location: Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club, Madison, WI.
- Cost: $475.
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AHRQ TeamSTEPPS Training - virtual, self-paced, CEUs available.
- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering training opportunities designed to help healthcare teams enhance communication, manage challenges more collaboratively, and effectively implement TeamSTEPPS to improve patient care.
| Photo by Michael Knapstein, Reedsburg. | | |
Virtual Living Room: Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas
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Amount: Not specified; grants support a computer workstation and peripherals.
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Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Who can apply: An organization in a community located more than an hour away from a Veterans Affairs clinic or hospital. The applicant of record must be a member of NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association.
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Description: Virtual Living Room grants save veterans travel time and costs while enabling connections to healthcare providers in the VA medical system through telehealth and other online resources. Broadband must be provided by a NTCA member.
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Google's Rural Healthcare Cybersecurity Initiative
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Amount: Google security programs offered at no or low cost.
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Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Who can apply: A health facility located in a county or region designated as rural by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
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Description: Google is offering eligible rural healthcare organizations access to technology, consulting and support services, and security training resources at a discount or no cost.
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BNSF Railway Foundation Grant
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Applications accepted on an ongoing basis for up to $10,000.
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Who can apply: Organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status or a division of local government that are physically located in or serve a community in close proximity to one of BNSF's rail lines.
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Description: Funding to support programs that improve communities which they serve, including those that address chemical dependency treatment and prevention, spouse and child abuse, women's and children's aid and transitional shelters, parks and recreation, and community development.
| 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. | | |
Input
Survey on Preventing Rural Hospital Closures
- Medical students at UICOM Rockford and researchers at the National Center for Rural Health Professionals are conducting a study to better understand the factors contributing to rural hospital closures and to develop an early warning system to help prevent them.
- They are seeking input from a broad range of rural health stakeholders - including clinicians, hospital staff, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and community members.
- The survey takes about 10 minutes and all responses are confidential: Take the survey.
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