Emplify Health Secured New Psychiatry Residency Program
The La Crosse health system will train new psychiatrists to address growing local and regional physician shortages.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Mental Health
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Emplify Health by Gundersen received accreditation for its 10th residency program in the fall of 2026. This new psychiatry track is designed to train physicians to serve patients in La Crosse and the surrounding rural region.
Why it matters
This initiative directly targets local and regional physician shortages by developing a dedicated pipeline of mental health specialists. By providing specialized training in the area, the program aims to improve long-term patient access to psychiatric care.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved the new residency program after evaluating leadership, faculty qualifications, curriculum, and supervision standards. The four-year program will recruit three residents annually, eventually hosting 12 trainees at one time.
The players
Emplify Health by Gundersen
A health system providing comprehensive care services and managing a diverse portfolio of medical residency programs in Wisconsin.
Dr. Emily Rae
The physician leader overseeing the new psychiatry residency program and its educational curriculum.
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
The national body responsible for evaluating and certifying medical residency and fellowship programs in the United States.
The details
The program met rigorous national requirements covering clinical supervision, physician evaluation, and the overall learning environment for residents. With support from a state Department of Health Services grant, Emplify Health by Gundersen will fund workforce development and faculty engagement. Residents will complete their training through hands-on rotations throughout La Crosse and the rural Gundersen region.
Timeline
• Emplify Health by Gundersen received program accreditation in the fall of 2026.
• The first class of psychiatry residents is scheduled to begin training in July 2027.
Health Landscape
This program aligns with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services workforce development grants aimed at mitigating regional physician shortages. It represents a strategic expansion of clinical training capacity to address the growing demand for psychiatric services.
As this program launches, residents of the La Crosse region can expect expanded access to psychiatric specialty care within their local health system. If you or a family member are navigating mental health needs, discuss the evolution of local specialty care options with your primary physician.
The takeaway
Building a local physician pipeline is a long-term solution to addressing persistent gaps in specialized medical access. Residents can keep an eye on local health system announcements as the first class of psychiatry trainees integrates into the community clinical environment.
Further reading
For more information on how medical infrastructure supports patient care, visit Mental Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WXOW.
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