Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative - RWHC

06/18/2026

Congratulations to Corey Weydert at Grant Regional Health Center! Corey celebrated 30 years of service this week! Thank you for serving rural Corey!

06/12/2026

Do you know a new nurse or someone who will be one in the next year?

We’re excited that our Nurse Residency Program Registration is now open for Oct 2026 & Feb 2027.

This program is built specifically for new rural nurses. Through monthly sessions, they will build confidence and a network they will have for life. PLUS, each nurse will also become Mental Health First Aid Certified. Furthering their impact in rural settings!

Find More Information Here: https://www.rwhc.com/Services/Educational-Services/Nurse-Residency-Program

06/11/2026

Today we celebrated the retirement of long time Nursing and Leadership Development Educator & Manager Cella Janisch-Hartline!

Cella has been in healthcare for 46 years and was with RWHC for 17 years. Cella has had a massive impact on nurses across the state and even country. She has helped changed and saved countless lives over her career. She is the definition of a strong rural nurse.

Cella leads with strength, compassion, love, and a great passion for what she does. Her ability to mentor others and foster connections is a true talent. We will miss you Cella, but we are so excited for you and your husband Steve in this next chapter!💛🌺🌴🐠🍹

Read Cella's reflections on her career here: https://www.rwhc.com/News/Refueling-Your-Heart-Newsletter/article/468/Embracing-the-Journey-into-Retirement-June-2026

06/09/2026

Great conversations happen when great leaders come together!

At the 2026 Wisconsin Rural Health Conference, our own Executive Director Tim Size joined WHA President and CEO Kyle O'Brien for a candid fireside chat on the state of health care in Wisconsin, moderated by RWHC Board Member, Luke Beirl President & CEO of Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center and Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center.

At the 2026 Wisconsin Rural Health Conference, Kyle O’Brien, WHA President and CEO, and Tim Size, Executive Director of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative - RWHC, discussed the state of health care in Wisconsin. During this fireside chat moderated by Luke Beirl, President and CEO of Tamarack Health, they shared how hospitals have influenced state and national health care policy debates and offered candid insights into the current health care landscape in Wisconsin.

06/05/2026

Member Hospital Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center recently hosted a regional Spinning Babies training, bringing together obstetric professionals from across Wisconsin and Minnesota — all united around improving outcomes for low-risk, first-time mothers, and reducing unnecessary C-sections.

This is rural healthcare at its best. Our Maternity Services Workgroup applauds the Hayward Medical Center OB team for their leadership in elevating birth care not just locally, but across the region. This is exactly why this work matters.

Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center hosted a regional Spinning Babies training on May 15, bringing together obstetric nurses, physicians, physical therapists, doulas, and other birth professionals from across Wisconsin and Minnesota. The training, organized by the OB team at Hayward Medical Cente...

06/04/2026

How many of you can identify with the inner groan you suppress when you’re aware you’re about to be on the receiving end of another complaint?

It could be a patient call transferred to your phone to voice a care concern, a fellow leader whose day has gone haywire and just texted a plea for support, or the employee standing shaking in frustration at your office door.

Perhaps your day hasn’t been so spectacular either; you have complaints of your own. You feel like a freight train is headed right at you. You question if you have the energy left to respond to more negativity. What now? How can you be expected to give from nothing....

Read more in this month's issue of Leadership Insights: https://www.rwhc.com/News/Leadership-Insights-Newsletter/IssueID/466/A-Need-Not-Met-June-2026

06/01/2026

Rural hospitals in Wisconsin are often the largest employer in town. They anchor local economies, keep families close to home, and give people a reason to stay, or move to a rural community.

Marie Barry, Director of Community, Economic, & Workforce Development was interviewed this week by Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin to discuss the important role rural hospitals take as anchor institutions in rural communities.

Watch the interview here:

Marie Barry with the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative discussed how they can also serve as economic drivers for small towns and villages.

05/28/2026

Proud of our team at the National Rural Health Association's Annual Conference last week! Kelsi Craker MSN, RN and Marie Barry presented on maternity services alongside partners from Reedsburg Area Medical Center, Door County Medical Center, and Grant Regional Health Center.

Jeremy Levin championed advocacy efforts with the NRHA Hospital Constituency Group.

Lori Rodefeld also presented on building a roadmap for State Graduate Medical Education & her work with WCRGME - Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural GME!

05/27/2026

Hospital Week may be over, but we're still on the road celebrating this year's Rural health Ambassadors!

Congratulations Anna from Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center!

05/21/2026

Congratulations Ashley from Emplify Health by Gundersen Boscobel Area on receiving a Rural Health Ambassador Award! Ashley is an active participant in the RWHC Social Work Roundtable Group.