February 2026
Leveraging Quality Data for Healthier Outcomes and Lower Costs
On 13 February, close to 200 healthcare stakeholders from around Wisconsin attended our Assembly, Advancing Prevention: Using Quality Data to Improve Outcomes. This event highlighted the strong link between enhanced prevention efforts, improved health results, and reduced healthcare costs, demonstrating how data-driven, proactive approaches can decrease disease rates and add value throughout the healthcare system. Through practical examples and collaborative learning, participants discussed how prevention strategies are essential not only for clinical care, but also for organizational success.
Attendees gained a deeper appreciation for how quality data and continuous improvement are vital in preventing diseases and slowing their progression. They left with practical interventions that organizations can implement, ranging from targeted screenings and managing chronic conditions, to utilizing long-term data to address gaps in care.
The Assembly underscored our commitment to turning data into action and supporting members in advancing measurable and meaningful improvements in health for communities across Wisconsin.
Keynote Speaker: Patrick Remington, MD, MPH, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Thank you to our Speakers
- Gabrielle Rude, PhD, President & CEO, WCHQ
- Patrick Remington, MD, MPH, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Sequoyah Boothe, BSN, RN, Manager, Nursing Practice and Quality, Mercyhealth
- Abigayle Gorjance, BSN, RN, Clinic Quality and Nursing Practice Coordinator, Mercyhealth
- Rani Rajan, PharmD, Ambulatory Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, Mercyhealth
- Meghan Brennan, MD, Physician and Researcher, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Nicole Green, BSP, RPh, ACPR, DPLA, Director of Pharmacy, ThedaCare
- Aimee Meyer, PharmD, BCPS, Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist, ThedaCare
- Karrie Stanke, PharmD, BCPS, Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacist, ThedaCare
- Christine Trautman, MD, Reedsburg Area Medical Center
- Jessica Szpak, PA-C, Neurology, SSM Health
- Alison DeVore, PharmD, PGY2 Ambulatory Pharmacy Resident, SSM Health
- Whitney Morelli, PhD, FACSM, Assistant Professor, Research Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Cheryl DeVault, MS, BSN, RN, AMB-BC, Senior Manager, Chronic Disease and Preventive Care Programs, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
- Randy Van Straten, Vice President, Business Health, Emplify Health
- Abbey Harburn, MPH, Director of Analytics and Practice Transformation, WCHQ
Thank you to our Industry Partners
We are grateful to our industry partners for their support in our Advancing Prevention: Using Quality Data to Improve Outcomes assembly. Their support is instrumental in making these events possible:
Champion Sponsor: Merck
Exhibitors:
- Bayer
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Exact Sciences
- Genetech
- GSK
- Moderna
- Merck
- MS Society
- Novo Nordisk
- Pfizer Vaccines
- Shield
- Seqirus
Pictured: Left to Right: Angela Tyrrell, Kristen Hagedorn, Avani Patel, Jeff Maly, Pfizer Internal Medicine Population Health Team
Wisconsin Measles Vaccination Rates Revealed: Identifying Communities at Risk
With confirmed measles cases in Wisconsin this year, we have released new maps showing measles vaccination rates across the state, highlighting communities that may be at increased risk for outbreaks.
Using longitudinal electronic health record data submitted by member health systems, we analyzed immunization rates providing one of the most detailed, patient-level views of measles protection in Wisconsin to date. County rates range from 84.5% to 98.1%, with many communities falling below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
The release includes:
- Statewide maps displaying vaccination coverage by county and ZIP code
- A downloadable table of immunization rates broken down by ZIP code
Our full press release and data resources can be found on the WCHQ website.
Transforming Rural Health Care: Wisconsin’s Statewide Initiative for Workforce, Technology, and Innovation
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a statewide initiative designed to strengthen health care in Wisconsin’s rural communities. Supported by $203 million in federal funding from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the program invests in rural communities across three major initiatives: strengthen the rural health care workforce, drive rural technology and innovation, and transform rural care through partnerships.
WCHQ was selected as a partner in Wisconsin’s RHTP work to provide data and technical assistance that supports technology, care coordination, and evaluation. Recognizing the workforce, operational, and financial pressures facing rural providers, WCHQ chose to participate to ensure that investments support local communities and result in meaningful, sustainable improvements.
For more information on the Wisconsin DHS RHTP, including the full application, timelines, and budget information, visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/business/rhtp.htm.
