Rural Health Radar for May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

On Deck with Samantha Peck

WORH Rural Hospitals and Clinics Program Manager

As we approach the end of the SHIP year, our hope of smooth sailing is disappearing over the horizon. We are currently awaiting a federal Notice of Award (NoA), which is a key document needed before we are able to distribute contracts and funds for the grant year starting on June 1, 2025. In a sea of uncertainty, what we do know is that even if we receive this NoA there will be a delay in sending out contracts until at least mid-July. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee that we’ll receive funding at all.

We are fast approaching the end of this SHIP grant year, and remind you to please send invoices as soon as possible. Since March, our reporting requirements have intensified somewhat to align with new payment justification requirements. While invoices shouldn't change, we ask that you include a detailed description of the purchase in the body of the email.

Due Soon

Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) Final Invoices

The last day to send 2024-25 SHIP invoices for payment is June 16, 2025.
Send SHIP invoices to Megan Polster at mepolster@wisc.edu as soon as you are able for the June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025 grant period.
For questions regarding allowable expenses or invoicing, please contact Megan.
SHIP Invoicing Template
Example SHIP Invoice

Apply to become a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Site

As an NHSC-approved site, your organization will receive assistance in recruiting, hiring, and training qualified clinicians. Eligible sites include outpatient, ambulatory, and primary health care services, such as medical, dental, and behavioral health, to populations in high-need rural and urban areas.

Applications due June 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Learn more and apply

Learn and Share

Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals

"We are approaching the one-year anniversary of the Microsoft Cyber program on June 10, and our goal is to be supporting 30 percent of all rural hospitals by that date.

Wisconsin is trending below the average. ...

The nonprofit pricing alone is saving CAHs $35 - $50K a year, and every bit helps ... .”

Laura Kreofsky, Director of Rural Health Resiliency, Microsoft Philanthropies

Ongoing nonprofit pricing for many common Microsoft products for all independent CAHs and REHs (a savings of 60-75% off standard prices)
A free cybersecurity assessment based on healthcare cyber performance goals
Free cyber awareness training for all frontline staff and foundational cyber certification for IT staff
1 yr free Windows 10 ESU extension when available (current ESU is through October 2025)
Access to free/low cost AI tools designed by/for rural hospitals to help with denied claims/revenue recapture and outbound referrals management.

Learn more and submit request

American Heart Association's 2025 ACS Guidelines:

Something Old, Something New, Some things Left to Do

June 5, 2025 12-1 p.m. CDT

An informative webinar on the 2025 ACC/AHA Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) Guideline, tailored for healthcare professionals seeking the latest updates in ACS management. The session will cover key recommendations, highlight major changes in the guidelines, and review new evidence, treatment protocols, and clinical strategies. A recording will be emailed to all registrants.

From the Heartland to the Hospital: Virtual Training and Live Web Event

Live online June 10, 2025

For farmers, ranchers, ag producers, farm family members, Extension staff, rural and ag community members, EMS personnel, rural healthcare providers.
Training on the critical period between when a trauma incident occurs and when emergency medical services (EMS) or the patient arrives at the emergency department.

Presented by AgriSafe Learning Lab

Learn more and register

Governor's Interagency Council on Mental Health Seeks Public Input

Survey deadline is June 30, 2025

Survey offers the opportunity to elevate needs in Wisconsin's rural communities

Learn more and take the survey

Virtual Grant-writing Workshop Series

Save the dates for July 18, July 25, and August 1

Learn to identify appropriate funders, develop budgets, plan for sustainability, and write with confidence.
Facilitated by the Wisconsin of Office of Rural Health and presented by Jeremy T. Miner, MA, Associate Director of Pre-Award in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Office of Sponsored Programs.
More information is forthcoming.

Contact Kevin Jacobson at kmjacobson2@wisc.edu with questions.

2025 Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin (SCW) Summer Meeting

August 9, 2025

Heidel House Hotel and Conference Center, Green Lake WI

Join surgeons and quality leaders from across the state to discuss evidence-based quality improvement projects. Families encouraged to attend.

Learn more and register

Healthcare Quality Data Sanity Workshop

Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Cost: $50 per hospital, two attendees per hospital

Learn to analyze and interpret data and use Excel to uncover opportunities for improvements.

Learn more and register

James Small, Rural EMS Outreach Program Manager at the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, penned this powerful and insightful piece about his own struggles with critical incident stress and how he sought treatment. He shares ideas for how to support current EMS providers and offers the support and assistance of WORH. Contact James via email at small5@wisc.edu.

Supporting our Responders by Developing a Culture of Resilience, an excerpt from EMS Professionals, a publication of the Wisconsin EMS Association (WEMSA)

Fund

Get Out & Get Active Grant

Applications due May 30, 2025

To empower mental health through physical activity

Learn more and apply

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

Wisconsin Health Professions and Rural Physician Loan Assistance Programs

Now open, applications due Sept. 16, 2025

Up to $50,000 to help pay down loan debt

Open to primary care and behavioral health physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, dentists, and dental hygienists practicing in underserved rural and urban communities.

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.

Reference

Characteristics and Trends of Critical Access Hospitals That Own or Operate Ambulance Services, May 2025

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