Our Team

Joseph Kilsdonk, Au.D.

Executive Director
jkilsdonk@wincgme.org
Cell: (715)571-1220

For the better part of the last two decades Joseph has been involved in advancing WI rural health care workforce and graduate medical education. His leadership includes serving as an associate dean for health professions in central Wisconsin, serving as Administrative Director for Marshfield Clinic’s Division of Education, and most recently serving as System Director for Medical Education and Provider Experience with Aspirus, Inc. He combines his practical experience as a clinical doctor of audiology, a healthcare operations executive and a medical education administrator with an entrepreneurial spirit to help WiNC sponsored residencies make a difference. He shares “WiNC is here to help maintain and expand accessible high quality medical care within our region. We do this through partnerships with regional health care systems and by collaborating with physicians who model compassionate caregiving and competency. WiNC is grateful to help train the next generation of physicians.”

Kevin O'Connell, MD

Designated Institutional Official
Kevin.O'Connell@aspirus.org
Direct: (715) 675-5246

Kevin has been involved in Family Medicine GME for over 40 years, 25 of which as Program Director of the Wausau Family Medicine Residency Program. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 1979, did his residency in Family Medicine at the Wausau Program, and has practiced his entire career in Wausau at the Residency. He was the inaugural Chair of the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health's Graduate Medical Education Committee from 1996 to 2006. He is passionate about medical education and learning, as well as serving his community, especially those who may have been marginalized or underserved. "We need to train the next generation of physicians that compassion and kindness, the art of medicine, is still as important as it ever was. And we need to train them here, where they will practice, serving the communities of Northern Wisconsin.

Julie Richards

Program Coordinator
jrichards@wincgme.org
Cell: (715) 432-0908

Julie graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Native American and Rural Social Work.  Later she returned and obtained her MPA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Prior to joining WiNC, she worked for the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central WI as an Elder Benefit Specialist.  She shares that, “For years I have observed the impact that lack of medical care within rural areas can have on the citizens that live there.  Often times the individuals I served would wait to seek treatment until their medical issue became an emergency because they were either unable or unwilling to leave their community.  I am excited to be part of an organization that is taking active steps to ensure there is a strong physician workforce to serve rural communities in our region”.