About

Kevin O'Connell, MD

WiNC’s Designated Institutional Official (DIO), introduces WiNC.

 

The Wisconsin Northern & Central (WiNC) Graduate Medical Education (GME) Consortium was formed to address the need for additional graduate medical education resources for the northernmost thirty-seven counties in Wisconsin. The population includes 27 counties with HPSA designation, and has an existing physician shortage that is expected to worsen.

The WiNC GME Consortium is supported by a group of health systems, medical schools, residencies and healthcare advocacy groups.  Planning for WiNC was led by these stakeholders starting in 2016 as part of a GME needs and capacity assessment funded by an Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Grant through the Medical College of Wisconsin. In early 2019 WiNC was awarded a Department of Health Services New Residency grant funds to establish WiNC.

WiNC GME Consortium Goals

  • Add additional residency positions and programs in family medicine and psychiatry to rural northern Wisconsin

  • Increase the availability of locally trained physicians

  • Train faculty for leadership positions in GME

  • Develop more robust recruitment and retention strategies

  • Enhance workforce analysis to inform sustainability of physician workforce in the region.

Why a Regional Consortium?

  • Retain Local Input

  • Address Regional Priorities and Local Needs

  • Small Size to be Focused, Flexible, and Nimble

  • Expanded GME Services Offerings