WHA Foundation

The WHA Foundation, Inc. was formed in 1968 to support educational, research and charitable programs of the Wisconsin Hospital Association and its members. Today, as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation focuses its grant making priorities on initiatives that have a statewide impact on health care in Wisconsin. The Foundation's three specific funding priorities include:

• Health Care Workforce Development
• Health Care Quality and Safety Initiatives
• Collaborative Community Health Initiatives, through the annual Global Vision Community Partnership Award. 

2026 Global Vision Community Partnership Award Winners

Congratulations to Southwest Health and Aspirus Wausau Hospital for being named the recipients of the 2026 Global Vision Community Partnership Award. First awarded in 1993, the purpose of the award is to recognize and reward community partnership projects that work with a WHA member hospital to meet an identified community health need in an innovative or creative manner.  

Southwest Sexual Assault Resource Team (SART)                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Southwest Health

SART is a multidisciplinary partnership established in 2013 to improve the response to sexual assault across rural southwest Wisconsin. The program addresses the significant prevalence of sexual violence and the challenges rural survivors may face in accessing specialized medical-forensic care, advocacy, and legal services. At the center of the initiative is Southwest Health’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, which has expanded from one nurse to five specially trained SANE nurses. The program provides trauma-informed care, medical-forensic examinations, evidence collection, forensic photography and injury documentation, STI and pregnancy education, assistance with reporting when requested, and referrals to advocacy and follow-up services. SART brings together Southwest Health, UW–Platteville, the Platteville Police Department, Family Advocates, the Grant County District Attorney’s Office, and other regional partners. Each organization contributes specialized expertise in healthcare, advocacy, education, law enforcement, investigation, and prosecution. This coordinated model reduces the need for survivors to navigate disconnected systems or travel long distances for specialized services. The program has demonstrated sustained impact through more than 13 years.  SART improves access to compassionate, survivor-centered care while strengthening collaboration among healthcare, advocacy, education, law enforcement, and justice-system partners.    

Beyond the 911 Call: Creating a Healthier Community Through Community Paramedicine                                                                                                                                               Aspirus Wausau Hospital

The Wausau Fire Department Community Paramedic Program, launched in 2024 through a partnership with Aspirus Health, Marathon County Health Department, county agencies, and community organizations, addresses major healthcare challenges facing rural Wisconsin communities. The program responds to issues such as limited healthcare access, chronic disease, behavioral health needs, transportation barriers, falls, fragmented care, and social determinants of health. Specially trained community paramedics conduct in-home assessments, provide post-discharge follow-up, support medication management and chronic disease care, identify fall and social risks, and connect residents with healthcare and community resources. The program is built on collaboration rather than creating duplicate services. The Wausau Fire Department provides the frontline community paramedic workforce, while Aspirus Health contributes clinical oversight, care coordination, population health expertise, and evaluation. Public health, county agencies, ADRCs, behavioral health providers, and community organizations address additional medical and social needs. Early results show significant impact, including a 63% reduction in 911 utilization and a 41% reduction in unnecessary emergency department utilization among enrolled participants. The program also reports stronger primary care connections, improved coordination, increased identification of social needs, and greater ability for residents to safely remain at home. A key element of sustainability is the regional hub model, which allows communities to share training, infrastructure, technology, administrative support, and expertise rather than developing separate programs independently. Beyond the 911 Call demonstrates how EMS, healthcare, public health, government, and community organizations can work together to address problems upstream, reduce avoidable healthcare use, and help vulnerable rural residents remain healthy, independent, and connected to needed resources. It represents a scalable model of innovation, collaboration, stewardship, and community impact.

Award winners each receive a plaque of recognition and a $3,000 grant to continue to fulfill the mission and activities of these valuable programs. WHA Foundation thanks all nominations submitted for this year’s award. 

2025 Year in Review Report

We are proud to introduce the 2025 WHA Foundation Year in Review report. This report is a review of the positive impact Foundation program funding has had throughout the state. Click here to view the report.

Friends of the Foundation

Thank you to the 2025 Friend of the Foundation: WHA Information Center.

To learn how you can become a Friend of the Foundation, please contact WHA Foundation Executive Director, Leigh Ann Larson.