Take action – comment on four new policy proposals by July 28

Help shape Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) advocacy. WisMed members can weigh in on policy proposals written by WisMed members and posted on PolicyLink. Members can register support, opposition and/or comments. The comment period for this round of policy proposals will be open through Friday, July 28, 2023.

The four new proposal topics are:

• Advancing Weight-Inclusive Healthcare and Health Education
• Opposing Abortion Care Restrictions in Wisconsin
• Prohibiting Adolescent Access to Indoor Tanning
• Improving Access to Menstruation and Feminine Hygiene Products

To participate in WisMed policymaking:

1. Visit policylink.wismed.org
2. Login with your WisMed username and password*
3. Click “Comment on Proposal” from the menu at the top of the page
4. Select “Comment Period 1”
5. Click on a blue proposal title
6. When ready, click on support, oppose or suggest amendments and submit any comments in the text box below
7. Click “Submit Comment” button at the bottom of the page

After the close of this comment period, proposed policies will move to the Policy Review Committee (PRC) which will review each proposal and member comments to help inform their recommendation to the WisMed Board of Directors (BOD). The BOD will decide whether to adopt, not adopt or make changes to the proposal.

Have a policy that you want to submit for consideration?
While in PolicyLink click on “Submit Proposal” (in the menu bar at the top of the page) and enter your proposed policy. Policies are reviewed throughout the year.

For questions about PolicyLink or WisMed’s policymaking process, contact Mark Grapentine.

*PolicyLink requires your WisMed username and password. Click here to retrieve your username or password, or call 866.442.3800 or email membership@wismed.org for assistance.

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Sun, surf and support in District 8

There was a smattering of rain just before the District 8 Picnic at Maslowski Beach on Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 22. It was just enough to clear a bit of the Canadian haze and left a bright, clear afternoon for kids to splash in the water while their physician parents could bond on the beach, discussing areas of concern and just enjoying each other’s company and camaraderie while sharing a picture-perfect picnic of Lake Superior fish and fresh local blueberry crisp. Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) Board President Don Lee, MD, Board member Michelle Graham, MD, and CEO Mike Flesher, as well as Foundation Executive Director, Elizabeth Ringle were honored to be present.

District 8 is comprised of Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron and Sawyer counties. With such a wide geographic area the importance of their county and district leadership was evident. The physicians were able to readily reach out, relate their concerns and help each other work out solutions to their issues. There was an easy comfort and true sense of community between physicians regardless of their system affiliation and a sincere dedication to working together to help their neighbors in need. That was also evident as the picnic was also a fundraiser for two community programs providing care to their community.

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation was pleased to provide coordination so that donations could be easily made to support BRICK Food Shelf and New Day Advocacy Center. BRICK Food Shelf helps food insecure people in their communities by providing an assortment of food items (non-perishable and fresh) to families in need. They average 34,000 pounds of food to 700 households each month. They served a total of 19,380 individuals during the year and distributed 415,391 pounds of food. New Day Advocacy Center provides a safe haven and support services to victims of family violence and sexual abuse and provides preventive education about the use of abusive and controlling behaviors. In addition to financial donations, physicians also brought items such as paper towels, laundry detergent, dish soap and toiletries for families who seek services from the agencies.

Ashland is a beautiful and welcoming city with so much natural beauty it was a pleasure to spend time there. Foundation and WisMed staff and leadership want to hear directly from physicians across the state about what matters most to you. We look forward to traveling to your community and highlighting the strength physicians find in being present for each other and sharing the things that make your communities great places to practice medicine.

If you would like to help support the District 8 Fundraiser for the BRICK Food Shelf and New Day Advocacy Center please donate here. One hundred percent of your donation will go directly to the programs. Please reach out to Foundation Program Coordinator, Jaime Craig if your County Medical Society would like to hold a similar fundraising event for organizations providing care outside of the clinic in your community.

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Titus Talent Strategies is here to help

Titus Talent Strategies is thrilled to partner with the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide you with industry expert consultants to assist your practice, system and individual career needs. Titus Talent is here to help navigate the ever-challenging terrain that is health care recruitment.

What is Titus Talent Strategies?

The easiest way to explain Titus Talent is to tell you what we are not. Titus Talent is not a contingency recruiter. They are not a staffing agency. They are not in the business of flinging resumes around. Titus Talent is different by design. Titus aims to be a true partner, an extension of your team, representing you in the market. Titus Talent is equipped to handle both high volume and specific niche needs.

What can you expect from partnering with Titus?

You will be assigned a team of dedicated managers and consultants focused solely on your needs. They will provide you with transparent progress updates, market data and a pipeline of candidates tailored to your specific needs. We are an organization committed to our partners, our people and improving our communities through our culture of generosity.

To learn more about Titus Talent, click here. Please contact cassidy.burmeister@titustalent.com with any inquiries.

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National Health Equity Grand Rounds series – free CME

The National Health Equity Grand Rounds series is hosted and developed by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Graduate Education, the American Medical Association, the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, and RespectAbility. Click here to learn more about the series. Health care professionals may receive no-cost continuing medical education (CME) credit by attending.

The next course in the series, Breaking Down the Ivory Tower: Building the Health Care Workforce America Needs, will be held Tuesday, August 8 from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Speakers will challenge the audience to address academic elitism in health education, reimagining an educational system that supports all students and trainees as they learn to care for a diverse patient population.  Click here to learn more and register.

Courses in this series include:

• Breaking Down the Ivory Tower: Building the Health Care Workforce America Needs
• Make the Invisible Visible through Data
• Follow the Money!
• History of Racism in U.S. Health Care

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Protect yourself and your family with graded premium disability insurance

Tom Strangstalien, a WisMed Assure insurance advisor, recently worked with a young physician to set him up with personal disability protection to provide some financial security if life throws him and his family a curve ball. Prompting this planning was that one of his peers in the general surgery specialty sustained a serious hand injury, ending his ability to perform hands-on surgery.

He didn’t have personal disability protection, and although his group benefits offered some benefits, it fell well short of what he envisioned for himself and his family of four. Though he had looked into coverage in the past, he thought that it was too expensive at this point in his career. Why not wait until his income was more substantial and coverage was more affordable? Unfortunately, waiting changed his financial world forever.

Perhaps if our physician member had explored graded premium disability insurance, he would have elected to purchase the protection at a very affordable price, thereby protecting his income throughout his lifetime.

What is graded premium disability insurance?

The premise is that as your income increases, your premium increases. Premiums start at a much lower price early in your career, compared to traditional level premium coverage. Each year, premiums will increase slightly. When you’re on a tighter budget, it enables you to put the amount of coverage needed in place, and it can never be taken away. Making graded premium disability coverage more beneficial is that you can elect to lock in your premiums at any time you choose! In other words, you can convert to a level premium policy when your income and budget allows you to do so.

When working with our residents, fellows and young physicians, we always look at graded premium plans as an option. We almost always package this with a future insurability option, so you are guaranteed to increase your benefits in the future, with no medical underwriting, as your income increases. You can put disability protection in place by using a graded premium plan, where you otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so. You always want to acquire the most coverage you can, and as early in your career as possible!

As a young member in the medical profession, don’t make the mistake of assuming your budget does not allow you to purchase disability protection. Yes, you can! Life happens and it truly throws us curveballs. Reach out to Tom Strangstalien and the WisMed Assure team at tom.strangstalien@wismedassur.org, complete this quick online form or call 608.442.3730, and let’s determine if a graded premium disability plan can protect your financial world!

WisMed Assure is the Wisconsin Medical Society’s insurance agency – profits earned support the mission of the Medical Society.

Originally posted in The Antidote October 27, 2022

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