Firearm injuries remain a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, but UW Health is working to change that through education, safety initiatives, and partnerships that promote responsible firearm storage.

Injury prevention was a priority for UW Health in its 2022-2024 community health needs assessment, and firearm injury prevention efforts were a key element in its community health implementation strategy. UW Health physician Dr. Bingham has helped pioneer training programs for healthcare providers that make conversations about firearm safety part of standard patient care. Providers learn how to talk with patients about firearm ownership, safe storage, and the importance of keeping guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition—particularly in homes with children, individuals at risk of self-harm, or those experiencing domestic violence.

“Just like we ask about seatbelts or smoke detectors, asking about firearm safety is a way to keep families safe,” Bingham said.

One innovative component of this effort is a hands-on “gun shop training,” where medical students and clinicians learn directly from firearm experts about how different guns and locking devices work. This experience helps providers better understand how to discuss firearm safety with respect and cultural competence. UW Health’s Injury Prevention Program also plays a key role by distributing free gun locks to patients and community members. More than 300 locks are given out through UW Health clinics and community partners each year. If a patient mentions having unsecured firearms at home, a lock can be provided on the spot—no questions asked. When someone is in crisis, clinicians also discuss temporary options for removing firearms from the home, such as asking a trusted friend or gun shop to store them safely until the risk decreases.

Beyond the clinic walls, UW Health collaborates with community organizations to raise awareness and share resources about firearm safety and injury prevention. These partnerships reflect a broader shift in healthcare: addressing gun violence as a public health issue rather than a political one.

“We’re focused on keeping people safe,” said Bingham. “It’s about prevention, not politics.”

Despite these successes, the need is growing. More patients are facing stress, mental health challenges, and easy access to firearms—all of which increase risk. UW Health’s prevention programs continue to expand, with goals to reach more clinics, distribute more safety devices, and make firearm safety a routine part of health conversations.

Through its comprehensive approach—training, lock distribution, crisis planning, and community education—UW Health is proving that health systems can play a vital role in reducing firearm injuries. By promoting safety and empowering patients, these efforts are helping to prevent tragedies before they happen.

As healthcare demand continues to grow across Wisconsin and the nation, UW Health is tackling one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: workforce shortages. Through innovative apprenticeship programs, UW Health is creating pathways for individuals to enter healthcare careers, gain valuable skills, and help meet the community’s critical staffing needs.

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing participants to earn a wage while learning the technical and professional skills required for healthcare roles. UW Health’s programs are designed for a variety of positions, including nursing assistants, medical assistants, laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, and other allied health professions. By offering structured training and mentorship, these programs provide an alternative to traditional education pathways, making healthcare careers more accessible to individuals who may face financial or educational barriers.

One of the strengths of UW Health’s approach is its focus on career ladders. Participants can start in an entry-level position and, through additional training and experience, advance into higher-level roles such as registered nurses, respiratory therapists, or clinical specialists. This model not only fills immediate staffing gaps but also creates long-term retention, as employees build meaningful careers within UW Health. By offering mentorship, financial support, and hands-on learning, UW Health helps participants develop both the technical skills and the confidence needed to thrive in healthcare settings.

The impact of these programs extends beyond UW Health’s own workforce. By preparing skilled healthcare workers, the programs help strengthen the broader health system in Wisconsin. Hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities benefit from a pipeline of trained professionals who are ready to meet patient needs. In turn, patients receive more timely, high-quality care, helping improve outcomes across the community. In addition to training, UW Health partners with technical colleges, workforce development boards, and community organizations to align apprenticeship programs with local labor market needs. This collaboration ensures that program participants acquire skills that are in high demand, while employers gain a reliable pipeline of qualified staff.

Early results show promising outcomes: graduates of UW Health’s apprenticeship programs report high employment rates and satisfaction with their training, while UW Health has successfully filled critical roles that were previously difficult to staff. These successes illustrate how apprenticeships can be a strategic solution to workforce shortages, offering both economic opportunity and improved healthcare access.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, UW Health’s apprenticeship programs represent an innovative, scalable approach to workforce development. By providing education, training, and career pathways, UW Health not only addresses immediate staffing needs but also invests in the future of healthcare, ensuring communities across Wisconsin have access to skilled, compassionate professionals for years to come.

In Dane County, UW Health is playing a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare access through its partnership with the United Way of Dane County's HealthConnect program. The collaboration helps alleviate the financial burden of health insurance premiums for low- to moderate-income residents, ensuring cost does not become a barrier to necessary care. HealthConnect is a premium assistance program for individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but still find insurance premiums unaffordable. The program covers the remaining balance of monthly premiums after the Premium Tax Credit is applied through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Assistance is available for silver-level plans and gives participants flexibility in choosing providers and pharmacies.

In 2024, HealthConnect covered 441 insurance plans for residents with incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level, helping hundreds maintain essential coverage. UW Health’s generous support makes the program possible. In the 11 years of the program, more than $12m has been paid for health insurance subsidies. UW Health contributes the funding that allows the program to cover premiums for eligible participants, helping residents maintain continuous health coverage—a critical factor in accessing both preventive care and necessary medical services. Since its inception, UW Health’s support of HealthConnect has made health insurance more affordable for many Dane County residents. By covering gaps in premiums, the program ensures families can access healthcare without the added stress of unaffordable costs.

Through this partnership, HealthConnect exemplifies how community collaboration can address health disparities and ensure access to care for all residents of Dane County.