MADISON, Wis.—Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter and several university representatives announced today budget proposals focused on training 35,000 new health care professionals in the next decade.
The Healthy Wisconsin proposal represents the first major initiative from the UWs’ 2026-27 budget request proposal.
“The Universities of Wisconsin have long served Wisconsin, and our budget proposal is focused on helping meet some of our state’s toughest challenges,” Wachter said. “Today we offer a commitment to improve access to health care across the state.”
At UW-La Crosse, Wachter was joined by Chancellor James Beeby, UW-Parkside Provost Matt Cecil, UW-Stout Polytechnic Dean of Students Sandi Scott, and UW-Madison Provost John Zumbrunnen to announce Healthy Wisconsin, which seeks a $90 million state investment across Wisconsin’s 13 public universities to train 35,000 health care professionals.
“When health care professionals are in short supply, it can be harder to get an appointment, harder to get timely care, and harder for communities to thrive,” Wachter said. “This proposal strengthens the health care professional pipeline and involves all UW universities to make it happen.”
About the Universities of Wisconsin
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 164,600 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.