Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative - RWHC

01/14/2026

The year is just getting started, but our Education Team is already full speed ahead. With 4+ months of workshops scheduled and on-demand programs built with rural hospitals in mind, RWHC makes professional development accessible and relevant.

Invest in your staff with RWHC Educational Services. 💛

https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Educational-Services

Our Education Team has been working hard this fall to bring you fresh new programs for the new year just around the corner! 💛

Stay tuned over the next few months as we launch new innovative on-demand programs, fresh hands-on clinical courses, and leadership workshops that any employee can benefit from! Virtual, In-Person, On-Demand, and On-Site options built to fit your facility's unique needs!

Take a peek at our upcoming workshops here!

Clinical: https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Educational-Services/Clinical-Education-Series

Leadership: https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Educational-Services/Leadership-Series

01/08/2026

There is a common misconception that rural hospitals aren't innovators, and we know that couldn't be farther from the truth.
A prime example of that innovation is Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area's New School-based Virtual Care service.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗚𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

HILLSBORO, WI — Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area is proud to announce the launch of its innovative School-based Virtual Care service, designed to connect students directly with Emplify Health by Gundersen providers during the school day for timely, convenient medical care without leaving school.

This new service, supervised by school nurses employed by Emplify Health by Gundersen, connects students virtually with a primary care provider using secure, state-of-the-art technology. The virtual care unit, TytoCare, enables providers to listen to heart and lungs, examine ears, throat, and skin, and check vital signs remotely.

Parents and guardians are actively involved in the process and are required to provide consent before any virtual visit. Parents and guardians can also join the visit virtually from home or work. If medication is needed, prescriptions can be sent directly to a convenient pharmacy.

The program is currently accessible to all students at Hillsboro and Royall school districts, regardless of whether they are current patients of Emplify Health by Gundersen. It aims to reduce time missed from class and minimize disruptions for families by eliminating the need for students to leave school or parents to leave work for medical appointments.

The School-based Virtual Care service is appropriate for a variety of common, non-emergent health concerns that can be effectively assessed and managed virtually. These include:
▪️Flu symptoms
▪️Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
▪️Sore throat
▪️Fever
▪️Cough and cold symptoms
▪️Ear infections
▪️Skin rashes or minor skin issues
▪️Allergies

“We’re really excited to provide this innovative solution to our local schools,” says Kristie McCoic, administrator at Emplify Health by Gundersen. “It makes it easier for parents to access care for their children without missing work. With just a quick verbal consent, the school nurse coordinates a virtual visit with our providers. Parents can join from wherever they are, and if needed, prescriptions are sent directly to a convenient pharmacy. This seamless approach supports children’s health and helps families balance their busy lives.”

The School-based Virtual Care service is provided at no additional cost to schools. Visits are billed to insurance like any other clinic visit, and financial assistance is available for eligible families.

12/30/2025

We are excited to work with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to continue to create strong, accessible, and innovative healthcare for our rural communities.

We can't wait to see the impact this funding has on our member hospitals and communities! 💛

“We look forward to partnering with rural communities to implement these initiatives and drive sustainable change.” Secretary Kirsten Johnson, talking about the Rural Health Transformation Program and how it will create a stronger, more accessible health care system across our state.
➡ Get specifics: dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/123025.htm

12/30/2025

With the tumultuous landscape rural healthcare is in, there is no time for waste at your facility.

Our Lean Residency Program will equip your leaders to build processes and procedures that ensure your hospital is operating at maximum efficiency.
Register your staff here: https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Registration/EventId/691/e/lean-residency-program-2026-17-mar-2026

12/29/2025

We spot our Director of Advocacy, Jeremy Levin!! Jeremy works hard with organizations like WHA and our member hospitals to advocate for rural healthcare in Wisconsin.

Where’s WHA? In Washington, DC!
Dec. 9–10, WHA and hospital leaders met with members of Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation to advance key federal advocacy priorities for hospitals and patients. Discussions included the potential impact of the ACA subsidy cliff, the need to extend critical programs like telehealth and Hospital at Home before the next Continuing Resolution, and the importance of federal approval of Wisconsin Medicaid changes included in the state budget.
👉 Read more about the visits here: https://ow.ly/gehI50XQ8Ks

12/29/2025

FY 2026 is bringing a lot of changes to coding and reimbursement, and keeping up can feel overwhelming. 🚨

Join Renee Friesen, CCS, CCS-P, CAH-CBS for a practical, easy-to-follow webinar that walks through what’s changing, what matters most, and how it may impact your day-to-day work. From ICD-10 and CPT updates to OPPS, NCCI edits, and CMS guidance on skin substitutes.

This session is designed for coders (IP/OP), HIM leaders, CDI, wound care nurses, patient business managers, and utilization review staff who want clear answers and real-world guidance.
Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT | Recording is Included

Register Here: https://www.rwhc.com/Portals/0/email/2026_Coding_Reimbursement_Updates_for_Fiscal_Year_2026_WEB.html

12/25/2025

Wishing you the happiest of Holidays from RWHC & WCRGME! We can't wait for another amazing year of serving rural! ❤

12/24/2025

Registration is open now for our February Emerging Leaders session! This is a super cost effective way to ensure your leadership pipeline stays strong. Register your facility's future leaders here: https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Registration/EventId/693/e/emerging-leaders-preparation-for-tomorrows-future-leaders-4-part-2026-4-feb-2026

Great leaders don’t grow on trees… but they do grow in our Emerging Leaders Program!
With leadership turnover costing organizations up to 213% of a leader’s salary (Center for American Progress), building your pipeline is a smart investment.
Boost your high-potential staff with this engaging 4-part virtual program.
Sign them up here: https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Registration/EventId/693/e/emerging-leaders-preparation-for-tomorrows-future-leaders-4-part-2026-4-feb-2026

12/23/2025

Rural Maternal care is vital for Wisconsin communities. Check out these stats from RWHC Member SSM Health Monroe.🤱💛

Our Family Birth team is honored to help area families grow each year! 🩷💙

12/22/2025

December's Mystery Strip Winner is Rachel from Spooner Health!!
Want to join the fun? Sign up below to be sent a REAL EKG them strip every month and test your clinical know-how! 🕵️‍♀️💛
Sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mysterystripregistration

12/18/2025

Congratulations Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center! Thank you for being a leader in rural maternal care!!💛

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Hayward Medical Center a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study.

12/17/2025

The Wisconsin Owns Wellbeing (WOW) Collaborative brings health and community partners together to strengthen collaboration and advance wellbeing across Wisconsin.

Join us for five in-person Regional Learning Exchanges in 2026 to connect, learn, and share across regions.

2026 Dates & Locations

• Jan. 27 – Chippewa Falls

• Feb. 17 – Lac du Flambeau

• Mar. 4 – De Pere

• Mar. 19 – Baraboo

• Apr. 15 – Pewaukee

Register & learn more: https://www.rwhc.com/Wisconsin_Owns_Wellbeing

The WOW Collaborative is bringing people and organizations together to build a stronger, healthier Wisconsin, one where every community has access to the care it needs.

Led by the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC), the Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (WAFCC), and the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association (WPHCA)—in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services—the WOW Collaborative will host statewide and regional strategy sessions to create a shared vision for health and wellbeing in Wisconsin.

Regional Strategy Sessions – 2026:
📍 Jan. 27 – Market on River, Chippewa Falls
📍 Feb. 17 – Lake of the Torches Resort Casino, Lac du Flambeau
📍 Mar. 4 – St. Norbert College, De Pere
📍 Mar. 19 – Baraboo Arts Banquet & Convention Center, Baraboo
📍 Apr. 15 – WCTC - Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee

Learn more about the WOW Collaborative
https://www.rwhc.com/wisconsin_owns_wellbeing

Sign up for project updates or notifications when registration opens:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ccd5D25--UyIQdfTBoAv2FnrCXmCqQVFrjXB0XwUyRZUMTdQN1M5VE5EN0JFOTZVNFZXVU1SRFVLRy4u

The WOW Collaborative is generously supported by the Roots & Wings Foundation, helping Wisconsin children and families reach their full potential through prevention, early intervention, and programs that change lives.