Registration open for Doctor Day!

Doctor Day, the state’s premier event for physician advocacy, is set for May 5, 2021. Preparations are underway to ensure the event can be held that day either virtually or in-person – so be sure to save the date! As the state looks forward to finding a way through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 8th annual Doctor Day could be the most important ever. Elected officials and policymakers always benefit from physicians sharing their expertise; that knowledge will be needed even more in spring 2021.

One of the most popular aspects of Doctor Day is meeting with Capitol legislators and staff, and those important interactions will be on the agenda as well – either virtually or in-person depending on the COVID-19 situation at the time. Of those attending last year’s Doctor Day, 99 percent said they would “highly recommend” the event to their colleagues.

Please save the date and register today at widoctorday.org. Contact Heidi Green for more information.

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Webinar: Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Storage, Handling & Administration

Pfizer, the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Medical Society and the Wisconsin Nurses Association have partnered to present an informational webinar on the Pfizer vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. This webinar is intended for practitioners who will be administering the vaccine. David Letzer, DO, Chair of the Society’s COVID-19 Task Force will co-host on behalf of the Wisconsin Medical Society.

Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Storage, Handling, & Administration
Monday, December 7
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Click here to register!

The webinar will only be offered for live viewing and will be not recorded. CE credit will not be available for this webinar.

Please contact Jim Lorence with any questions.

Society seeking Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force members

The Society’s Board of Directors (Board) has established a Task Force to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion not only within the Wisconsin Medical Society but also in our population at large. The Board-approved purpose statement for the Task Force states that 'The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force will positively influence the Society’s advocacy and programming in recognition that our diversity makes us stronger.' The next step is to talk with Society members who want to serve on the Task Force or have thoughts on the work the Task Force should focus on. The Society’s long serving HR advisor, Peggy Niemer, JD, MBA, will facilitate gathering this information from interested members.

The Task Force would meet via zoom every few weeks via zoom and set short term and medium term goals. If you are interested in serving on the Task Force or just voicing your opinions or concerns please contact Peggy Niemer or Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD.

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New coalition PSA unites political rivals

While last month’s elections highlighted the wide divide in both state and national politics, the Stop the COVID Spread! coalition’s latest public service announcement (PSA) features rival politicians joining together to share the message of how to slow the pandemic: wearing masks, washing hands, keeping physically distant and staying home when possible.

The new piece features U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI02) and State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and is running statewide on broadcast and digital outlets. It is the fifth PSA of the coalition’s ongoing campaign to move the public toward safer behaviors. You can see all of the previous PSAs, press releases and the list of coalition members here. The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) was one of the original founding members of the campaign.

“The virus doesn’t care what side of the political aisle you’re on, so it’s important to see Democrats and Republicans joining together on the same message,” Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, said. “Hopefully this kind of effort can lead to what’s needed even more: both sides working together toward policy decisions that will help physicians stay safe in the workplace and help patients be able to get the care they need.”

To view all past PSAs, click here. Contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.

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WMJ seeks art for special issue

Calling all artists! Wisconsin Medical Journal (WMJ) is seeking photography, digital design or photographs of painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking or textile/fiber art to illustrate a special issue on the impact of race and racism on health. The deadline is December 31. Click here to learn more.

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Highlights from the AMA special meeting

In November, the American Medical Association (AMA) held a virtual special meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD). Over 700 physicians, residents and medical students attended – including the Wisconsin Medical Society’s (Society) AMA delegation.

Click here to see the AMA’s top 10 news stories, which includes creation of the Private Practice Physician Section (PPPS). Society members and past presidents Barbara Hummel, MD, and Tim McAvoy, MD, played a significant role in its development.

The Society’s AMA delegation thanks the Society for its support of the delegation to participate in the AMA HOD and serve the physicians, medical students and patients of Wisconsin.

Delegates:
George Lange, MD
Michael Miller, MD
Charles Rainey, MD
Paul Wertsch, MD
Tosha Wetterneck, MD

Alternates:
Nameeta Dookeran, MD
Barbara Hummel, MD
Don Lee, MD
Keshni Ramnanan, MD

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Last chance: human trafficking survey seeking feedback from current OBGYN, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care physicans

Responses for the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) research study on human trafficking are due Friday, December 11. Please click here to take the survey.

Wisconsin physicians currently practicing in OBGYN, Family Medicine or Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care are being asked to complete an online survey to help assess and improve physician’s knowledge of human trafficking in Wisconsin. Physicians are known to be under-educated in human trafficking, although they play a pivotal role in ending this global crime. Wisconsin physicians are not required by law to have specific training in human trafficking, thus the following survey will provide physicians with the opportunity to learn more about human trafficking, how to identify patients who may be victims of human trafficking and will provide them with the opportunity to take an online training course for Continuing Medical Education credit.

Please consider taking 10-15 minutes to complete the survey, which consists of a quick self-assessment/pre-quiz, a short educational article and the same self-assessment/post-quiz.

Participation as an MCW research advocate is voluntary and there will be no penalty or loss of benefits for not participating or skipping questions. This is an anonymized study and there are adequate provisions in place to maintain privacy. Dr. Gloria Halverson – OBYGN, professor emeritus at MCW, President of Christian Medical and Dental Association, and Human Trafficking Activist/Expert – has ensured that all the information provided in this study is correct and up to date. Dr. Halverson has led multiple mission trips to work with human trafficking victims, has written curriculum for students and healthcare professionals regarding human trafficking, and has won multiple awards for her work in human trafficking – including from the Wisconsin Medical Society. The PI of this study, Dr. Katrina Rosculet, is a board-certified MD in Radiology, an adjunct assistant professor in the Physicians in the Community Pathways course at MCW and has educational expertise in Bioethics.

Please contact the key personnel, Marissa Cepress, or the PI, Dr. Katrina Rosculet, at 920.403.4500, with any questions or concerns.

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Better investing – next lunch & learn

Mark Ziety, WisMed Financial, Inc.

Ultimately, investing is about earning a return to pay for your future goals – living the life you envision, especially in retirement, always seems to make the top of everyone’s list. Next week’s lunch & learn sessions will focus on investing. Sessions are at noon on Tuesday and Thursday.

Recently, a Wisconsin Medical Society member engaged WisMed Financial for investment planning. To make sure he and his wife achieved their retirement vision, we made several changes to their portfolio. His 401(k) was already invested in low-cost funds, but it was missing key asset classes. The portfolio’s risk profile was also mismatched to their retirement date. In the end, the changes we made improved the return potential of the portfolio, reduced risk with added diversification and matched the investments with the life they envisioned in retirement. Now they have confidence that their investments and finances are on track for their future.

If you are ready to review your portfolio, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® at 608.442.3750 or join one of next week’s lunch and learn sessions which focus on investing.

Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF®
WisMed Financial, Inc. part of the Wisconsin Medical Society

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Long-term care as part of retirement planning

We all know the importance of figuring out how much money we will need during retirement and being able to save enough money to generate what we need.

However, one thing most Americans don’t even think about is the cost of long-term care. Even though 70% of people 65 and older will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime, fewer than 15% of adults age 50 and older have a long-term care policy in place. Today’s cost of an assisted living facility averages about $45,000 per year and it’s double that for nursing home care! 

Why is there such a coverage gap? Mostly, it’s due to a genuine lack of awareness and understanding of what long-term care insurance is, how it works and what it costs. Many people think Medicare pays for long-term care, but unfortunately it doesn’t. While a few wealthier people can pay for long-term care out of pocket, most Americans will not be able to do so.  

What is the solution? It’s long-term care planning. And, one of the key components of a sound plan is a long-term care policy to cover some of the costs. There’s good news, today’s long-term care insurance looks quite different than it did 20 years ago. Many modern contracts pay out a life insurance benefit to the beneficiaries if the policyholder dies without using all of the long-term care benefits. 

To be most effective, retirement and financial planning must include long-term care. WisMed Assure can help you discover if and how long-term care fits in your future. For additional information, please click here or contact WisMed Assure at 608.442.3810 or [email protected].

Kathy Mueller, CLU, ChFC, FIC, LUTCF
WisMed Assure Insurance Agent
[email protected]

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