Nov. 3, 2025
HILLSBORO, Wis. — Emplify Health by Gundersen – Hillsboro has been awarded a new two-year grant totaling $125,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to support the education and training of local healthcare professionals.
This funding, part of the Health Care Provider Training Grant program, will cover the cost of education for 11 individuals—both new and current staff—who are pursuing critical degrees. The designated fields of study include nursing, laboratory science, health information technology, dietetics, occupational therapy, and surgical technology.
The grant reflects Emplify Health by Gundersen – Hillsboro’s ongoing commitment to “growing their own” healthcare workforce. This approach has become one of the most effective ways to strengthen both recruitment and retention, especially in rural areas.
“This grant allows us to invest directly in the people who live, work, and care for others in our rural region,” said Megan Wopat, HR Manager at Emplify Health by Gundersen – Hillsboro. “When we help local individuals advance their health careers, we’re not only supporting their personal growth — we’re ensuring that our communities continue to have access to compassionate, skilled healthcare for generations to come”.
Emplify Health by Gundersen – Hillsboro has utilized this specific resource before. The organization received the grant in 2021 and 2023, when it was known as the Allied Health Grant. These previous grants helped cover tuition costs for individuals pursuing two-year healthcare degrees. Success stories from these prior cycles include staff members such as Becky Bender, who completed her education and began a career as a medical laboratory technologist, and Angel Ennis, who became a medical assistant, respectively. The 2023 grant cycle also provided support for three additional individuals pursuing careers as a laboratory technician, surgical technologist, and radiologic technologist—all positions that are especially challenging to recruit for in rural areas.
The Hillsboro facility operates as Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and is currently transitioning to the Emplify Health name. It is a 13-bed critical access hospital that serves neighbors in Hillsboro, Elroy, Wonewoc, La Farge, La Valle and surrounding communities.
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