Call for Nominations: Wisconsin Partnership Program Oversight and Advisory Committee

The Oversight and Advisory Committee is one of two governance committees that support the Wisconsin Partnership Program’s mission to bring about lasting improvements in health and well-being and advance health equity in Wisconsin through investments in community partnerships, education and research. OAC directs and approves available funds for community-engaged public health initiatives and public health education and training. In close collaboration with WPP, OAC develops funding categories; directs, monitors and approves funds available; and assesses impact. It is a nine-member committee composed of four community health advocates, four SMPH representatives and one representative of the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.

WPP seeks to achieve a diverse membership on OAC guided by our diversity, equity and inclusion policy as diversity is a source of strength, creativity and innovation. Special consideration is given to ensuring that OAC collectively comprises a broad spectrum of expertise, experiences and perspectives.

Membership Terms

OAC members serve four-year terms. Typically, terms are renewable once. Members receive no compensation; however, travel expenses associated with attending meetings are reimbursed.

Committee Responsibilities

OAC directs and approves available funds for community-engaged public health initiatives and public health education and training, which include:

• Informing development and assessing impact of grant programs and funding initiatives
• Staying informed on progress and outcomes of funded grants
• Providing input into, reviewing and approving annual reports and five-year plans
• Reviewing and approving annual WPP administrative budgets
• Contributing to WPP convening activities and to development and refinement of committee policies and procedures

Member Commitment Pledge

Members of OAC commit to upholding the following obligations to ensure effective and impactful stewardship of WPP funds to improve health and advance health equity across Wisconsin:

• Attend 80% or more of committee meetings each calendar year (monthly meetings are hybrid, typically two hours in duration and occur 10 months during the year)
• Actively participate in committee discussions and decision-making, lending impartial expertise and advice
• Review grant applications as requested by the OAC chair and the WPP Administrative Leadership Team
• Review grant recipient progress reports and final reports as requested by the OAC chair and the WPP Administrative Leadership Team
• Serve on subcommittees and working groups
• Actively participate in strategic planning and committee training and development opportunities
• Exemplify professionalism in support of WPP’s mission, vision and values
• Effectively communicate the mission, grant opportunities and impact of OAC to the statewide community

Adhere to OAC’s conflict of interest policy

Nomination Guidelines

Nominations are strongly encouraged from Wisconsin-based organizations that have operated for at least five years and are widely recognized as non-profit or governmental advocates. Self-nominations are accepted so long as an eligible affiliated organization provides a letter of support in lieu of the required nomination letter.

Organizations with a representative on OAC may apply for WPP funding during the individual’s tenure on the committee. However, the representative will not participate in discussions or votes regarding the relevant application in compliance with OAC’s conflict of interest policy.

Nominee Qualifications

The Wisconsin Partnership Program seeks nominations for individuals who demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated understanding of health, health care and/or health equity in Wisconsin
• Advocate concerning health issues of particular concern to a community disproportionately impacted by health inequities, women, senior citizens or children
• Experience with philanthropic organizations, government funders or foundations, including grant review, application or implementation
• An appreciation of community-academic partnerships and collaborations
• A commitment to WPP’s mission and values and an ability to contribute to the goals and strategies of WPP’s Five-Year Plan framework
• Ability to understand and appreciate a stewardship role and the need to balance various constituency interests

Ability to devote the time necessary to fulfill board responsibilities, including preparing for and attending monthly OAC and other relevant meetings (with virtual options)

Nomination Materials are due April 8, 2025

Eligible organizations must submit a nomination letter by April 8, 2025 along with the nominee’s letter of interest and resume or CV through this nomination portal.

1. The organization’s nomination letter (maximum of 2 pages) from the organization should address the following:

a. Organization’s eligibility and experience in addressing the social determinants of health and health inequities in Wisconsin
b. Nominee’s significant contributions to advancing health, health care and/or health equity in Wisconsin

2. The nominee’s letter of interest (maximum of 2 pages) should address the following:

a. Nominee’s qualifications, interest in and commitment to serving on the Oversight and Advisory Committee and advancing the WPP Five-Year Plan framework

3. The nominee’s resume or CV (ideally 5-6 pages in length)

Review Process

A committee composed of the OAC public members and the Insurance Commissioner’s representative will screen applications and identify candidates to interview. Interviews will be conducted virtually. The standard interview will consist of questions prepared in advance by the committee. Additional questions may be asked as a result of the candidate’s responses to the standard interview questions. Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes, depending upon length of candidate responses and time for questions from candidates.

The selected candidate will be presented to OAC and the SMPH dean for formal nomination to the UW System Board of Regents in June 2025, which is responsible for the appointment.

About the Wisconsin Partnership Program

The Wisconsin Partnership Program is a unique grantmaking program in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health committed to improving health and advancing health equity in Wisconsin through investments in community partnerships, education and research. Grants awarded since 2004 propel medical and public health research and discovery, prepare future physicians and public health leaders, and improve health and advance health equity across Wisconsin communities.

WPP was established at  SMPH as the result of a generous endowment gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield United of Wisconsin (BCBS) and approved by the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner’s Order of March 2000 when BCBS converted from a nonprofit service corporation to a stock insurance corporation. The proceeds from the sale of the company were distributed equally between SMPH and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

WPP’s approach to grantmaking harnesses the power of academic research and education combined with community knowledge to address some of Wisconsin’s most pressing and complex health challenges. WPP principles and practices are integrated with the time-honored concept of the Wisconsin Idea, recognizing the tremendous opportunity to bridge the knowledge and resources of the university with communities to improve life within the state of Wisconsin. WPP’s mission and work are strongly aligned with the SMPH mission to advance health through innovative research, outstanding education and remarkable service to communities.

Over the past 20 years, WPP has awarded 691 grants totaling $321 million, reaching every county in the state. Grantees have leveraged more than $877 million, more than double WPP’s initial investments.

Impact Highlights:

• Strengthening Wisconsin communities: WPP’s engagement extends throughout the state through broad partnerships with Wisconsin non-profits, technical colleges, tribal colleges, public health organizations, and across the Universities of Wisconsin, creating strong partnerships that address community health needs and advance health equity.
• Promoting education innovations and pathways: WPP’s education investments create pathways to train Wisconsin’s future physicians and public health leaders and helped catalyze the transformation of the UW Medical School into the nation’s first School of Medicine and Public Health.
• Propelling research and scientific discovery: WPP’s research investments span a broad continuum, from fundamental investigations in the basic sciences, to clinical and translational and public health research aimed at bringing scientific discoveries into clinical and community application.