November 20, 2025

Happy National Rural Health Day!

Today is an opportunity to bring attention to and honor the incredible efforts of rural healthcare providers, communities, organizations, State Offices of Rural Health, and other stakeholders dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of rural America.

Thank you all for the extraordinary work you do!

Wisconsin Rural Health Day Governor's Proclamation

Due Tomorrow!

CAH Quality Inventory and Assessment - Due November 21

• Fulfills required MBQIP Measure: CAH Quality Infrastructure.
• Learn more and submit response.

Learn

Today! 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.

New! GROW-WI ECHO Program Session - virtual.

Tuesday, November 25, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

• Gathering the Rural Obstetrics Workforce in WI session - Labor and Delivery Closure: A summary and case study in rural maternal health.

New! Mobile Health Impact Accelerator

• Free, 6-month learning collaborative for staff of mobile health clinics.
• Application deadline is Sunday, December 7.
• For questions, contact Kait Guild, Program Manager

New! Flex-funded Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Demonstration - virtual.

Tuesday, December 9, 2:00 p.m.

• Critical Access Hospitals are invited to participate in a Flex-funded Antimicrobial Stewardship Program designed to support data-driven quality improvement.
• Using the program’s interactive dashboard, hospitals can efficiently review prescribing data, identify trends, and pinpoint opportunities to strengthen antimicrobial practices.
• Join us for a live webinar for a full demonstration of the platform. A recording of the webinar will be available afterward.

New! Rural Emergency Communications Operational Rapid Assistance Package

• Technical assistance program for rural communities to enhance existing emergency communications infrastructure to improve the delivery of rural emergency services.

Grants

Virtual Living Room: Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas

• Amount: Not specified; grants support a computer workstation and peripherals.
• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
• 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.
• 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.

Google's Rural Healthcare Cybersecurity Initiative

• Amount: Google security programs offered at no or low cost.
• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
• Who can apply: A health facility located in a county or region designated as rural by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
• 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.

BNSF Railway Foundation Grant

• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis for up to $10,000.
• 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.
• 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.

Review

New! Characteristics of Critical Access Hospitals with High Financial and Quality Metric Performance

• This study examines Critical Access Hospitals’ (CAHs) performance across financial and quality benchmarks to identify characteristics associated with strong performance in both domains.

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.