What's New

New Report: Life in Rural America

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) published a report this week with findings from a survey of rural adults “to understand the current views and experiences of rural Americans on economic and health issues.” (Click here for the 57 page report: New Report: Life in Rural America) Respondents were optimistic overall, citing positive job prospects and connection with their communities. Of the challenges in rural areas, more than 25 percent of those surveyed cited drug abuse as the biggest problem facing their local community. The second largest concern, at 21 percent, was economic, including poverty and the availability of jobs. The report challenges the idea that all rural Americans are the same and examines major differences between young and old, those with and without a college degree, and between White residents and minorities. Earlier this year, RWJF issued its annual County Health Rankings. That report included an explicit call to action for community leaders to examine local data and learn more about the social and economic factors in each community that impact health outcomes.

The November Issue of RWHC Eye On Health is now available and Includes:

• How America Can Rediscover Itself
• Rural as Incubator/Innovator for Cooperation
• "What Works for Health in Wisconsin"
• Finding Common Ground in a Divided USA
• RWHC “Champions of Health” Campaign 
• Leadership Insights: “Computer Hell”
• Upcoming RWHC Leadership Programs
• Monato Rural Essay Prize Submissions Due June 1st
• We Need Rural Leaders
• Rural Health Careers Wisconsin
• Eye On Health Cartoons

Director of Health Plan Contracting

RWHC is known for the longevity of its senior team so openings are rare; give this a look if you like the idea of being part of a "world class"​ team dedicated to serving rural healthcare and communities.

Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) is seeking a high-level in-house consultant to lead its health plan contracting work with member hospitals and clinics. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Health Plan Contracting (DHPC) is a strategic member of the senior staff team at RWHC. This position has the advantage and satisfaction of consulting with member rural hospitals and clinics to understand and negotiate managed care insurance contracts through the related organizations, RWHC Network and RWHC PHO.

This position is highly visible inside and outside the organization therefore requiring a high level of self-confidence and professionalism to develop and maintain credibility across the healthcare industry.

RWHC members are independent non-profit facilities as well as affiliates of regional systems located in rural communities across Wisconsin. The DHPC helps them to be viable and productive providers of high quality services in the ever-changing and complex rural healthcare environment.

If you know managed care contract negotiation and truly enjoy working with smaller healthcare organizations, we encourage you to let us know of your interest.  Additional experience in rural health is most helpful, as is an MHA, MBA, or CPA. Meeting with members around the state and in the RWHC Office and Training Center in Sauk City is all part of this meaningful opportunity to make a significant difference.

RWHC offers a strong compensation and benefits package and the opportunity to work with a dedicated team of association professionals. Our office is located in beautiful Sauk City, WI and only 20 minutes by a four lane highway from the outskirts of Madison.

Please send resumes to Monica Seiler at mseiler@rwhc.com.

INAUGURAL WISCONSIN HEALTHY COMMUNITIES NAMED

Thirty-one Wisconsin communities have been recognized for their work to improve health in their communities.

The Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designation is a new initiative offered by the UW Population Health Institute (UWPHI), in collaboration with diverse statewide groups. Funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program, it is designed to celebrate and encourage achievements in health improvement in Wisconsin, and to serve as a guide for communities to expand and enhance their health improvement efforts.

The designation program recognizes communities that focus efforts across the multiple factors that influence health – including health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment – with a focus on equity, multisector partnerships and sustainable solutions.

“Achieving equitable health outcomes takes years to accomplish, and this program is all about celebrating the hard work happening across Wisconsin,” said Sheri Johnson, PhD, director of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. “Our goal is to acknowledge and support ongoing efforts in local communities to improve health for everyone.”

The 31 communities received either a bronze, silver or gold designation. Four communities received a gold designation. The tiers are meant to provide a trajectory and serve as a guide for communities as they work toward comprehensive solutions for better health – the gold level representing the most difficult to achieve. However, receiving a designation, at any level, does not indicate that health or health equity has been achieved in a community; rather, the designation is meant to commend the efforts and the partnerships working to improve health.

VIEW A MAP OF THE 31 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES (PDF)

“This initiative was developed in response to a request from rural communities across the state and gives communities of all shapes and sizes – rural and urban – an opportunity to be recognized for the great work that they are doing to improve their own health,” said Tim Size, executive director of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, a collaborative of 42 rural hospitals and local health systems, and a founding member of the UW Population Health Institute’s advisory board.

The Healthy Community Designation lasts for three years, at which point a community may reapply. Learn more about the program and the application process.

The Rural Wisconsin Chronic Disease Toolkit was developed as part of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) Primary Care Improvement Project, which is a HRSA Network Development Grant-funded collaboration between RWHC, participating RWHC member hospitals, the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ), and other partner organizations.

"The Rural 'State of the State' in Wisconsin" byTim Size, RWHC Executive Director, Wisconsin Rural Health Conference, Elkhart Lake, WI, June 28, 2018