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In partnership with communities across the state, AHEC has coordinated the award-winning Wisconsin Express program since the mid 1990s. This program gives health professions students a unique opportunity to become immersed in Wisconsin's diverse communities and cultures, while they explore health care delivery in medically underserved areas and learn from students in other disciplines.
The week-long program is held annually in May. Mixed discipline student teams spend Monday through Friday in their host communities. Activities vary, and typically include presentations from community residents, participation in community activities, visits to community agencies and resources, interactions with local health care professionals, and interactive learning exercises or group projects. The experience concludes either Thursday evening or Friday morning with a wrap-up, reflection and evaluation session. Past hosts have included rural, American Indian, Hmong, Latino, and multicultural urban communities.
After participating in the program, students have reported feeling better prepared to make decisions about their future careers and where they might like to practice their professions. In addition, they have enjoyed the chance to work with students from other disciplines and experience being a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Eligibility and Application Process:
All students enrolled in health professions programs throughout the state's public and private colleges and universities are welcome to apply. In past years students have come from physical therapy, medicine, pharmacy, nursing (all levels), nutritional science, social work, physician assistant programs and more. The application period begins in December and runs through February.
Fee:
Wisconsin AHEC covers the majority of costs of student participation, including workshop fees; instructional materials; shared accommodations in hotel rooms, bed-and-breakfasts, or lodging maintained by a community organization; and transportation during the week. Participants pay a fee of $100 (due upon enrollment) and the cost of some meals.
Read more:
2011 Site Report: Stevens Point - Amish Focus (includes description of site itinerary and comments from participants)
2011 Wisconsin Express Summary Report PDF (includes list of sites and comments from participants)
2010 Wisconsin Express Summary Report PDF (includes list of sites and comments from participants)
Profile: Professor Chris Vandenhouten, Green Bay Wisconsin Express Site Coordinator
Wisconsin Express 2012:
Applications due February 24, 2012
RESOURCES:
Frequently Asked Questions: 2012 FAQ Sheet
Publicity Flyer for 2012 (Faculty/staff: please print and post in your department)
2012 WISCONSIN EXPRESS COORDINATOR:
Keri Robbins
phone: (608) 265-2442
email Keri Robbins
4218c Health Sciences Learning Center
750 Highland Ave: Madison, WI 53705
Sites for 2012
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Ashland
Site Coordinator: Lori Cannon
8 student participants
Sunday May 20 (7 p.m.) - Friday May 25 (10 a.m.)
The Ashland site gives students the opportunity to see a wide variety of rural health care settings, including women's health, acute care, public health, tribal clinics, and others in the Chequamegon Bay region. A diverse group of practitioners will present and discuss the challenges and rewards of working in rural health in far northern Wisconsin, as well as culturally appropriate care for Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) populations. Students learn about the economics, history and unique nature of this area.
Beloit / Janesville
Site Coordinator: Angie Flickinger
6 student participants
Monday May 21 (8:30 a.m.) - Friday May 25 (4:30 p.m.)
The Beloit/Janesville site offers students an opportunity to explore and get hands-on experiences with rural and urban issues related to wellness, health care and diversity in the region. Various organizations and health care disciplines offer students experiences focusing on the Hispanic, African American, uninsured/underinsured, homeless, and rural populations. Students will participate in team building, service learning and a plethora of activities to enhance their futures in health care.
Green Bay
Site Coordinator: Chris Vandenhouten
6 student participants
Monday, May 21 (9:30 a.m.) - Thursday May 24 (evening)
The Green Bay site offers students an opportunity to explore the diverse cultures in this area of the state. Activities will challenge participants to see health from the perspective of the Native American culture of the Oneida Nation, the growing Hispanic and Somali community, as well as the homeless and underinsured. Small group activities include interactions with providers serving these diverse groups, as well as a service learning opportunity.
La Crosse
Site Coordinator: Bob Milisch
6 student participants
Sunday May 20 (2 p.m.) - Thursday May 24 (3 p.m.)
The La Crosse site offers students a variety of experiences, including learning the background and health care needs of the Hmong and Amish people who live in the area. Students meet with a physician who treats Amish patients, an Amish apothecary and visit Amish homes and shops. Students learn about traditional rituals from a Hmong shaman. These interactions help students better understand these cultures. Students participate in a community free clinic serving those with chronic illnesses who cannot afford traditional care. Students visit and participate in the activities of a homeless shelter.
Milwaukee
Site Coordinator: Suzanne Letellier
12 student participants
Monday May 21 (9 a.m.) - Friday May 25 (noon)
Milwaukee is a diverse city with major health disparities. At this site, students learn about Milwaukee's Latino, African American and Hmong communities. Students experience the richness of diverse local cultures while understanding health care disparities. They meet health care professionals who are devoted to decreasing these disparities. Students visit a variety of health care settings and community organizations. Along with the opportunity to interact with professionals and community members, students explore issues of poverty, lack of access to health care, homelessness, language barriers and AODA issues. Students also have an opportunity to serve at a meal program for the low-income and homeless.
Rhinelander / Lac du Flambeau
Site Coordinator: Gail Nelson
8 student participants
Sunday May 20 (3 p.m.) - Thursday May 24 (3 p.m.)
The Rhinelander/Lac du Flambeau site offers students opportunities to consider health care issues facing rural and Native American communities in the Northern Highland region of Wisconsin. Students explore key health concerns such as chronic illness, obesity, substance abuse, and domestic/sexual violence. They have opportunities to interact with professionals who experience the challenge as well as the satisfaction of serving these populations.
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Rusk / Barron – Somali focus
Site Coordinator: Jackie Pederson
8 student participants
Sunday May 20 (6 p.m.) - Friday May 25 (10 a.m.)
The Barron and Rusk County site offers students an immersion opportunity to explore health care issues facing rural communities with an emphasis on the Somalian community. Students visit free clinics, hospice programs, hospitals, long term care facilities, the domestic abuse shelter, public health, the Health Care Academy, the International High School and others. In addition, program participants have an opportunity to do a service project to improve the medical supply needs of the county's poor and underinsured.
Sheboygan – Hmong and Hispanic focus
Site Coordinator: Jill Niemczyk
12 student participants
Monday May 21 (9:45 a.m.) - Thurs. May 24 (6 p.m.)
Approximately 6,000 Hmong live in Sheboygan. A health needs assessment (2010) documented serious problems in health care access and health literacy in this population. The Hmong Community Center has implemented a number of unique programs addressing these needs. Along with learning about the programs, students enjoy a rich cultural experience gaining first-hand knowledge about Hmong history, culture and traditional health beliefs.
Stevens Point
Site Coordinator: Jasia Steinmetz
6 student participants
Monday May 21 (9 a.m.) - Friday May 25 (3 p.m.)
The Stevens Point site offers students a variety of experiences designed to illustrate the health care needs of low income, Hmong, and Hispanic residents of Stevens Point and surrounding rural communities. Students explore services that are available in Central Wisconsin including a free health clinic serving low income, uninsured and migrant populations, and a shelter where they learn about aspects of shelter operation.
Stevens Point – Amish and Mennonite focus
Site Coordinator: Kristen Lucas
6 student participants
Sunday May 20 (3:00 p.m.) - Thurs May 24 (4 p.m.)
The Stevens Point–Amish and Mennonite site offers students opportunities to learn about Amish culture and rural health care practice. Central Wisconsin has a significant Amish and Mennonite population in four counties. Students visit businesses, public agencies, and health care providers in Amish/Mennonite communities to explore how respect for culture can interact with state-of-the-art health care. They learn about the balance between cost of medical care and reduction of risk.
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