As described above, the Gogebic, Iron, and Vilas Network was established in 2022 by a group of local officials who were concerned about access and the quality of health care available to residents of Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  After several planning meetings involving these officials, it was decided to establish a two state rural health network based on models proven successful in several Western states.  Initial meetings with the town governments of Presque and Isle and Winchester, Wisconsin found them supportive of development of any programs that might assist the large number of seniors who were living and moving to their communities.

Since establishing the GIVN network, the need to collaborate to address the many and varied health care needs of the service area has started to come into better focus. Similarly, many more organizations have been willing to meet with GIVN and have agreed to collaborate on future programs.  These include American legion posts, county veteran’s offices, and social service agencies in Upper Michigan.  GIVN remains committed to meeting with health providers, local governments, and state agencies and its university partners to address the most urgent health care needs of its service population.  These are briefly described below.

The three counties served by GIVN have approximately 45,000 residents. Approximately 37% of this population (16,650) is comprised of seniors aged 60 and older. In addition,  11% of this population (4,850) are veterans. There are also large numbers of low income households, and citizens with disabilities (8%).  Access to health care, including behavioral health services, is a significant problem across the service area. The two counties in  Wisconsin served by GIVN have high rates of chronic disease, substance abuse, and mental illness, but limited access to services through the Wisconsin Badger care system.  Services in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties of Michigan are also limited.  The western Upper Peninsula is currently served by only one private practice psychiatrist and there are few other behavioral health providers.  There are currently only four dentists to serve the 18,000 residents of these rural counties.

In October of 2025, the GIVN network established five priority areas for service delivery.  These were:

1. Expand access to primary care to address the needs of older citizens and families

2. Expand access to behavioral health services to include telemedicine

3. Improve access to dental care by expanding dental hygiene programs

4. Address deficiencies in areas of maternity care and women’s health

5. Expand substance abuse counseling and treatment to include opioid addiction. 

Since that time, two additional areas of need have been documented.  These are:

1. ‍Veteran’s suicide prevention

2. Training of Social Workers, family practice residents and other health professionals. 

During monthly membership meetings, the GIVN Board of Directors openly discusses the health care needs of the region with its member organizations.  This has allowed GIVN the opportunity to work with many individuals who have a great deal of experience in rural health care.   This has provided GIVN with the expertise and information it will need to address the many and varied health and social service needs that exist within the three counties served by GIVN over the next five years.