We are thrilled to announce that in April 2025, GHC-SCW will be opening a brand-new, larger Behavioral Health clinic on Olin Avenue in Madison. This new location will replace our current Capitol Regent Behavioral Health Clinic and is set to open on April 8, 2025. During the transition, our dedicated behavioral health providers will continue to offer services remotely, with some in-person appointments available at other clinics.

A New Space for Growth and Care

The new Olin Clinic promises to be an impressive and more accommodating space for our patients and staff. This building will feature 24 individual offices, two group therapy rooms, a multi-person office for program assistants and an occupational therapy gym. We’re incredibly excited about the upcoming launch of our new Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology services for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program this summer, which will further enhance our service offerings.

As for our staff, all team members from the Capitol Regent Clinic, including Outpatient, Behavioral Health Therapy, Psychiatry, Behavioral Health Triage & Crisis team and SPARQ (the Strategies to Promote Attention and Resilience Clinic) will be making the move to the Olin Clinic. Over time, we plan to expand the team as the entire department grows and demand increases.

Why the Move?

The Capitol Regent Clinic has been the heart of our downtown behavioral health services for years. Still, as the department expanded, it became clear that a larger space was necessary to serve our growing patient base better. In the search for the ideal location, we prioritized several key factors:

• Accessibility: We carefully selected a convenient location in Madison for our patients, ensuring easy access for all.
• Adaptability: The Olin Avenue building offered a “blank space” that could be transformed to meet our specific needs, allowing us to design a clinic that aligns with our vision for quality care.
• Affordability: Our goal was to maintain a similar annual expense as our previous location, ensuring we could provide exceptional services without a significant increase in operational costs.
• Safety and Security: The safety of our patients and employees is always a priority. The new location features ample and accessible parking.

Honoring the Memory of LuAnne Rosa, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

The opening of our new clinic brings an opportunity to honor the memory of a respected and beloved past GHC-SCW employee. LuAnne Rosa, Psychiatric Nurse Practioner, retired from GHC in 2019 and unexpectedly died in October of 2022. Her colleagues remember her as a warm, compassionate, skilled provider who was an empathetic listener and an advocate for the most vulnerable among us. She will always be missed as a colleague and as a friend.

In her memory, GHC-SCW has dedicated one of the Olin Clinic group rooms to LuAnne. Her legacy will continue in this new space, and we are honored to keep her spirit alive in our work.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Behavioral Health

Expanding into the new Olin Clinic is a significant milestone for GHC-SCW and the Madison community. With increased capacity and improved amenities, we’re excited to be even better equipped to meet our area’s growing demand for mental health and ASD services.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our patients, families and staff, and we look forward to continuing our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care to all those in need. The new Olin Clinic will be a place of healing, growth and community, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through its doors.

The GHC-SCW Pre-Professional Medical Diversity Scholarship seeks to award financial grants to under-represented students. Specifically, we are offering a scholarship for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and/or Hispanic/Latinx who are currently enrolled in medical school (including residency), physician assistant and nurse practitioner programs in Wisconsin. The scholarship awards $5,000 grants to each of three selected scholars. The funds will be distributed in Fall of 2025. Scholars will be selected through an online application process due by July 15, 2025. In addition to the monetary scholarship, each scholar chosen will be awarded the opportunity for an on-site shadowing experience at GHC-SCW during the 2025 fall semester.

Eligibility:

• Pre-professional students or residents in a Wisconsin-based health science degree program (MD, DO, PA, and NP) or residency
• Identifies as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and/or Hispanic/Latinx
• Strong professional interest in a primary care career in Wisconsin

Selection Criteria:

Scholars will be chosen based on demonstrated interest in a primary care field in Wisconsin.

Deadline to Apply:

July 15th, 2025

Timeline:

Distribution of scholarship in October 2025 with an opportunity for a shadowing experience at GHC-SCW during the fall of 2025.

Apply Here

Every year, on the second Wednesday of March, we celebrate Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day to recognize the vital role that Dietitian Nutritionists play in promoting health, wellness and nutrition. These experts take the science of nutrition and make it accessible, offering practical guidance on food and nutrition choices. They work in almost every field, including health care, education, fitness and the food industry, to improve the physical well-being of the public. From providing personalized advice to advocating for healthier food systems, RDNs are essential in helping people make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle. Today and every day, we honor the incredible work of GHC-SCW nutrition experts who guide us toward healthier living.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are licensed health professionals who have completed extensive education and training in nutrition science, with a background that includes completing a graduate degree in nutrition or a related field, followed by a supervised internship (often referred to as a dietetic internship) and passing a national board exam to become licensed or credentialed. RDNs are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to offer evidence-based guidance on food and nutrition. Whether working in hospitals, private practices, schools or community settings, RDNs empower individuals and communities to make informed food choices for better health outcomes.

RDN Day is an essential reminder of nutrition’s impact on overall health and well-being. It’s a time to shine a spotlight on the expertise and dedication of RDNs who work tirelessly to help individuals improve their health, manage chronic conditions and prevent disease. Beyond individual care, RDNs also play a critical role in public health, advocating for nutrition policies that support healthier communities.

As we celebrate Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the invaluable role that our RDNs play in promoting healthier lives. Whether helping you manage a health condition, offering meal planning advice or advocating for better nutrition policies, RDNs are our allies in the journey toward better health. Let’s continue to support and celebrate their work, not just on this special day, but every day!

Talk with your primary care provider about meeting with a GHC-SCW Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Setting the Record Straight

At Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW), we respect the rights of our employees to explore unionization. We believe that such a significant decision should involve all eligible direct care employees across our integrated health system, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in a confidential, fair and inclusive election process. 

Recently, there have been public accusations and media reports suggesting that GHC-SCW is engaged in “union-busting” tactics to prevent employees from voting. This is simply not true. GHC-SCW is not against unionization, and we are not delaying or obstructing the process. In fact, we welcome the opportunity to hold a vote with all eligible direct care employees included, not just a small, hand-picked group. 

For nearly 50 years, GHC-SCW has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to democratic principles and fair representation as a member-owned cooperative. We are governed by an elected Board of Directors, which includes two employee practitioner directors, chosen by our members through an annual election process. Just as we uphold fair elections to ensure member representation in our Cooperative’s leadership, we believe the unionization process should be equally inclusive and transparent.

Where Things Stand Today

Currently, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is reviewing the scope of the voting group, and we are awaiting their decision. This process is not being delayed by GHC-SCW — we are and always have been following the legal process set out by the National Labor Relations Act required under federal labor laws. As soon as the NLRB makes its ruling, we are ready to move forward. 

The original petition filed by GHC-SCW employees included care delivery departments from across GHC-SCW’s five clinic locations as part of the proposed bargaining unit. However, during the NLRB proceedings, the Union representatives chose to amend the petition, which substantially narrowed the unit to a small group of Capitol Clinic direct care employees, excluding all other GHC-SCW clinical sites. Our Cooperative operates as an integrated health system, and we believe this fragmented approach risks operational inefficiencies and divides our workforce. Our position has remained consistent — we believe all eligible direct care employees should have the opportunity to participate in a confidential, fair and inclusive vote.   

To ensure that we are fully compliant with labor laws, we have been working with legal counsel from Husch Blackwell; attorneys who have provided us with legal guidance for more than 15 years. It is standard practice for organizations to seek legal guidance in these matters, and our legal team has been instrumental in helping us navigate the process lawfully and transparently. 

Addressing Reputation Damage and Misinformation 

It is disheartening to see misleading accusations that do not accurately reflect GHC-SCW’s position. Our stance has remained the same from the very beginning — we believe all eligible direct care employees should have a voice in this decision, and we are fully committed to a confidential, fair and inclusive election process.  

We also recognize that this process has created tension and uncertainty among staff, and we want to be clear: GHC-SCW values and respects all employees, whether they support unionization or not. We remain committed to open communication and transparency, ensuring that every employee has access to factual information so they can make an informed decision when the time comes.

Moving Forward Together 

Lastly, at GHC-SCW, our priority has always been to serve our members and support our employees. We will continue to follow the legal process, advocate for an inclusive and fair election and ensure that our employees’ voices are heard. 

 

Members can now receive text message notifications about their patient after-visit surveys that are available. Completing these surveys is an easy and convenient way to share your feedback with GHC-SCW.

Opting in for Text Message Notifications

 

At GHC-SCW, we want our patients to have the best possible experience when they turn to us for care. Our patient experience surveys help us learn how we can improve that experience. Some survey results are then shared through our Provider Ratings. Sharing the results of those surveys with the public is part of our commitment to providing the information you need to make important decisions about your health and care.

This Spring, you may also receive a different survey from Press Ganey for our health plan. This important survey gathers feedback about your overall experience with GHC-SCW over the past year and with the services we provide. Please complete and return these surveys to help shape the future of your care. These surveys can be completed anonymously.

About Our Patient Experience Survey

GHC-SCW is dedicated to providing exceptional care for all our members. To help us achieve this goal, we measure every part of our patients’ experience with their GHC-SCW providers. Our goal is to address service and communication issues unique to the clinic setting. Patient experience feedback is collected and verified by our partner, Press Ganey. For more than 30 years, Press Ganey has been the industry’s recognized leader in understanding and improving patient experience. Today, Press Ganey works with more than 26,000 health care facilities to help reduce patient dissatisfaction and improve the quality, safety and experience of care. ​

At Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW), we are dedicated to providing inclusive health care services that meet the diverse needs of our members. We understand that accessibility is a fundamental aspect of patient care, and we are committed to offering a range of language services and technological tools that ensure all individuals, regardless of language or communication barriers, receive the care they need. From translation services to visually impaired accessibility services to website accessibility, we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our members.

Language Services and Document Translation: At GHC-SCW, we work to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to provide meaningful accessibility to all services for members with limited English proficiency (LEP).

The use of qualified interpreters is required when communicating with members who have limited English proficiency. GHC-SCW provides on-site certified Medical and health care interpreters for Spanish, Hmong and Laotian-speaking members. Additionally, document translation services are available in all languages upon request.

As well as our staff interpreters, we contract with freelance interpreters to ensure our members have an in-person interpreter as often as possible. GHC-SCW contracts with five agencies to provide 24-hour telephone, in-person and video remote interpretation services in all languages our members and patients speak, including American Sign Language. These agencies include Language Line Solutions, also known as Pacific Interpreters, Alta Language Services, Propio, Professional Interpreting Enterprise (PIE) and Purple.

 

Video Visit Interpreters: GHC-SCW offers video visits with interpreters for more than 300 languages through GHCMyChart^SM. Based on the patient’s preferred language, the interpreter can be requested on-demand or scheduled in advance for languages of lesser diffusion.

 

Hearing or Speech Impaired Accessibility Services: GHC-SCW members who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech difficulty may call our GHC-SCW clinics using WI Relay, by dialing 711 or calling (800) 947-3529 or (608) 828-4815. This relay service allows English and Spanish communications through text telephone/teletypewriter (TTY). The relay operator reads aloud the message a patient typed to the other party and types the other party’s spoken message and background sounds, if any, back to the patient.

GHC-SCW members may also call our GHC-SCW clinics using the P3 Mobile app by Purple Communications, which is a video relay service (VRS) app that allows members to communicate with hearing people through a video interpreter using American Sign Language on their smartphone or other devices. We also offer American Sign Language interpreter services for in-person appointments when requested.

iPads are available at each GHC-SCW clinic for video remote and audio interpreting via our Pacific Interpreters/Language Line Solutions, Alta and Purple partners.

 

Visually Impaired Accessibility Services: GHC-SCW understands that patients who have a visual impairment should have written information read to them. Our medical record software allows for permanent comments regarding preferences for auxiliary aids, and members can request their documents and correspondence in large font through our Member Services and Language Services Departments.

 

GHC-SCW Website Accessibility Tools: Recently, GHC-SCW redesigned our

member-facing website to provide a more user-friendly experience. This redesign prioritized ease of navigation, improved content organization and expanded accessibility for members. As part of these efforts, we launched a new online provider search tool, which offers significant enhancements to usability and functionality. The updated tool allows members to filter providers more effectively, ensuring they can quickly find the proper care based on the member’s specific needs.

To better serve our members with accessibility needs, the website features an integrated auto-translation tool, offering translated content in 12 languages. This tool ensures that those members can access information in their preferred language. Our website also allows any existing Spanish and Hmong-translated documents to be automatically linked. When members change the website to Spanish or Hmong, it will automatically display a PDF document if it’s already been translated. The website also allows visually impaired users to seamlessly adjust font size, enabling them to consume content better and easily navigate the site.

It is a priority for GHC-SCW to ensure our website meets the 508 accessibility standards, and these digital improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to improving member interactions with our digital properties, offering tools and resources that are modern, efficient and inclusive.

 

Meds on Cue Tool: This pharmacy services tool uses QR code technology to offer patient-friendly, prescription-specific medication education on demand in English and Spanish. The information won’t provide just written medication information but educational videos explaining usage, benefits and potential side effects. The program ensures members and patients understand how to take their medications safely and limit avoidable reactions, but it also helps GHC-SCW take steps to go green.

 

For more information, visit our website at Language Assistance – Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin

 

 

As a clinical pharmacist, every day is centered around ensuring patients receive the best possible care through safe and effective medication management. Unlike traditional pharmacists, who may spend their day filling prescriptions, clinical pharmacists are deeply involved in patient care teams, working closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to optimize treatment plans. Clinical Pharmacists spend more time meeting with patients and discussing their medication, building connections to better understand their patients and working very closely with Primary Care Providers.  Each day is filled with opportunities to make a real difference in patients’ lives.

In this blog, we’ll take you through a typical day as a clinical pharmacist, offering a glimpse into the critical work behind the scenes in a clinic and pharmacy.

At GHC-SCW, Clinical Pharmacists and Retail Pharmacists rotate between roles. Retail Pharmacists are the people you’d typically see behind the pharmacy counter, filling prescriptions and having quick discussions with patients about their prescriptions. Clinical Pharmacists, on the other hand, meet directly with patients in a clinic setting.

Each day begins with a team huddle to discuss who is on staff that day, go through any changes, and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Then the day begins.

No day is the same for Clinical Pharmacists. Still, the work is consistently filled with responding to messages, reaching out to patients with new medications, scheduling appointments and meeting with patients face to face.

The heart of a clinical pharmacist’s role lies in these interactions—listening to patients and ensuring that the prescribed treatments are effective and safe. Appointments throughout the day consist of teaching patients how to use blood pressure monitors, Diabetes Focus Visits, appropriate monitoring and dosage of statin medications and educating patients about their medications.

Diabetes Focus Visits

These one-hour appointments are for patients with type 2 diabetes. This is where the clinical pharmacist ensures they get the preventative care they need, including regular exams, making any necessary lifestyle changes, educating patients on injectable medications, and teaching them how to use their glucose monitors. These visits are crucial to these patients and give them the one-on-one time they need to ask questions and get acquainted with their treatment plans.

 

GHC-SCW has been staffing Clinical Pharmacists for 10 years and was the first healthcare organization in the area to move Pharmacists to a clinical setting. The benefits have been significant, improving patient care with more time to educate patients on health care treatments such as hypertension and diabetes management. Having in-clinic pharmacists has also freed up access to Primary Care Providers, giving them more time to see patients for other healthcare appointments.

GHC-SCW has one Clinical Pharmacist staffed at each clinic location, Monday – Friday, 8:30-5:00, with one Pharmacy Tech supporting the Pharmacists.

Visit the Pharmacy page on our website for more information about our clinics, Pharmacists and to schedule an appointment.

 

We will implement holiday hours at our clinics and Administrative Building in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2025. Check out the upcoming holiday hours in the chart below:

 

Facility	Monday, January 20 | Holiday Hours
GHC-SCW Urgent Care Clinic at Capitol Clinic	Open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
GHC-SCW Capitol Clinic Pharmacy	Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
GHC-SCW Urgent Care Lab and Imaging	Open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
All other GHC-SCW Clinics & Administrative Offices: Capitol-Regent Behavioral Health Clinic East Clinic Hatchery Hill Clinic and Pharmacy Madison College Community Clinic Princeton Club West PT/OT Clinic Sauk Trails Clinic and Pharmacy Administrative Building	Closed

 

Achieving your New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming, especially when the new year’s excitement starts to fade and the reality of change sets in. However, with a clear plan, realistic goals and a focus on building positive habits, you can set yourself up for success. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated and on track toward achieving your goals:

1. Set Specific and Achievable Goals

Make sure your resolutions are clear and realistic. Instead of vague goals like “exercise more,” try something specific, such as “exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes.” Laying out goals this way makes them easier to track and attain.

2. Break Goals into Smaller Steps

Large goals can be daunting. Break them into smaller, actionable steps. For example, if your goal is to save money, start by setting a monthly savings target.

3. Track Your Progress

Keep a journal or app to track your progress. Writing down your achievements helps keep you motivated and lets you see how far you’ve come.

4. Take Your Time

Some goals are easier to achieve than others. Don’t get too hard on yourself if one of your goals takes all year to work towards. With work commitments and plans constantly changing and life being busy, you may need to space your goals out more and that’s okay!

 

The new year brings hope, renewal and a chance to start fresh. Resolutions are a great way to start something new and lay out goals and plans for your future. We hope these tips help you stay motivated and excited to achieve your goals throughout the new year.

What is Neurodiversity? 

Neurodiversity describes the variety of ways in which human brains can function and process information. It includes neurological and developmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and more[1]. Neurodiversity promotes the idea that neurological differences should be recognized and respected as a natural form of human diversity.

Neurodivergent people often experience the world differently from neurotypical people. These differences include unique ways of thinking, learning and interacting with others. Neurodivergence can present challenges, bringing strengths and perspectives that can be incredibly valuable to society.

 

Celebrating Neurodiversity

The neurodiversity movement advocates for the accepting and including neurodivergent people in all areas of society. It challenges the idea that neurodivergent traits are negative or need to be cured or fixed. Instead, it emphasizes the value of diverse ways of thinking and the importance of creating environments that accommodate different needs. GHC-SCW’s beliefs and values [3] align easily with the neurodiversity movement. We believe that embracing and valuing our differences will make everyone stronger.

 

The Group Health Cooperative Autism Spectrum Program

The Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) offers a specialized Autism Spectrum Treatment Program to support Autistic children and their families. This program is for children aged 6 to 16 who need support in social interactions and emotional regulation. Further, this program continuously expands, so look for additional services soon.

 

Home-Based Program Overview

The Autism Spectrum Treatment Home-Based Program at GHC-SCW is built on evidence-based techniques and focuses on providing support to Autistic children. This approach ensures that children can learn and practice new skills in a familiar and supportive environment.

Key Features of the Program:

• Home-Based Treatment: Sessions are conducted in the child’s home, which helps create a comfortable and conducive learning environment.
• Weekly Appointments: The program includes appointments for several months, allowing for consistent support and progress tracking.
• Skill Development: Each session focuses on teaching children new strategies and providing opportunities for practice with the guidance of trained staff.
• Parental Involvement: Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in the program. They receive guidance on supporting their child’s development and are involved in coaching their children as they practice new strategies. 
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach: The GHC-SCW Autism Spectrum Treatment Program embraces neurodiversity. Input from neurodivergent staff and community members helps ensure the program represents neurodivergent individuals. The program strives to support individuals through their challenges, make accommodations for their needs and build on their strengths.

 

PEERS® for Social Skills Group

GHC-SCW also offers the PEERS® for Social Skills Group, a 14-week in-person class designed for Autistic children and adolescents who are motivated to improve their social relationships. This program is held at the GHC-SCW Capitol Clinic and is led by trained PEERS® providers.

Program Highlights:

• Social Strategies: Children learn strategies for navigating social situations to assist them in creating positive friendships and addressing negative interpersonal dynamics.

• Group Activities: The program includes group socialization activities where children can practice their new skills in a supportive setting.

• Caregiver Participation: Parents/caregivers attend separate sessions at the same time to learn how to support their children’s efforts to expand their social networks.

 

Getting Started

To join the Autism Spectrum Treatment Program, families must meet certain requirements:

• The child must have a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• The child must be able to communicate in complete sentences (augmentative and alternative communication included).

• For in-home services, the family must reside in Dane County

• An active GHC-SCW HMO insurance plan is required.

 

Parents/caregivers interested in enrolling their child in the program should speak with their child’s primary care provider to get a referral and make sure they meet the requirements to participate.

 

[1]: Understood [2]: Group Health Cooperative Autism Program [3]: About Us – Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin