Medigram, the Society’s electronic newsletter for physicians, features timely news, upcoming events, answers to frequently asked questions and all the information you need to know to make your practice run more efficiently. Topics include legislative updates, legal information, practice management information, government regulations, and much more. Published weekly, Medigram is delivered via email on Thursdays.

If you have a Medigram story idea or would like to offer feedback, please email us or call 866.442.3800.

State Legislature nullifies state masking requirement, Gov. Evers issues new order
The question of whether Governor Tony Evers can issue a statewide facial covering requirement as part of a public health emergency declaration continues to roil the State Capitol, with the State Assembly and Governor issuing dueling actions this afternoon (February 4) within minutes of one another.

Doctor Day to feature legislative panel
Two great things to look forward to this spring – warm weather and Doctor Day 2021 on May 5! This year’s advocacy day will be virtual and include all the key elements of years past including a keynote presentation, priority issue briefing, policy breakouts and, of course, legislative visits!

New SARS-CoV-2 CME series begins next week with Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Safety
The first of four sessions in the Wisconsin Medical Society’s new SARS-CoV-2 CME Town Hall Series* kicks off with Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Safety presented by Jonathan L. Temte, MD, PhD, Associate Dean for Public Health and Community Engagement at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH).

What has your white coat seen?
Every year, the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) provides a white coat to every incoming medical student in Wisconsin. The Foundation wants to share your white coat experience with the donors who make this work possible and hopes to make it a little more fun this year!

Foundation Board welcomes new members
The Wisconsin Medical Society Board of Trustees approved a new physician member and two new student members to the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Board on January 23.

Wisconsin Medical Society Holdings Board welcomes new members
Wisconsin Medical Society Holdings is pleased to welcome Michael Foley, MD, and Greg Dombrowski, MBA, to its board. Both new members were approved at the January 23 board meeting.

Backdoor Roth, real estate and White Coat Investor events
Please join WisMed Financial for educational events in February and March. These are complimentary and exclusive to Wisconsin Medical Society members.

State Legislature nullifies state masking requirement, Gov. Evers issues new order

The question of whether Governor Tony Evers can issue a statewide facial covering requirement as part of a public health emergency declaration continues to roil the State Capitol, with the State Assembly and Governor issuing dueling actions this afternoon (February 4) within minutes of one another.

Today the State Assembly joined with action previously taken by the State Senate to end Gov. Evers’s statewide facial coverings order. In approving Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR 3), the State Legislature voted to nullify the Governor’s public health emergency declaration and the statewide masking requirement issued as part of that declaration. The nullification would have taken effect on Friday, February 5 when both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) sign SJR 3. The final vote was 52-42. Seven Republicans joined all Democratic members in opposing the provision.

Just minutes after the Assembly took its vote, Governor Evers issued a new public health emergency declaration and a masking order, effectively mooting the state legislature’s action. The Governor also issued a video message announcing the actions.

Following the State Assembly vote and before the Governor issued the new orders, the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) released a statement to statewide media, attributed to Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, MBA. “Wisconsin’s physicians continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and we need everyone in the state to help. Wearing masks is a proven way to help slow the spread of the virus, and recent studies show that government requirements on masks prompt more people to wear masks more often...”

The Society has led health care and other advocacy groups in supporting a broad masking requirement by opposing SJR 3 as the generational pandemic continues. Earlier in the week the Society distributed this memo to the entire State Assembly asking for either a “no” vote on SJR 3, or a plan to immediately reestablish a statewide requirement upon passage of SJR 3. State Assembly Republicans met in closed caucus for two consecutive days this week discussing SJR 3 and related legislation – an unusual occurrence that signaled what turned out to be the split vote from the Assembly majority caucus.

Republican leadership in the state legislature has opposed Gov. Evers’ ability to declare multiple public health emergencies for the same event – in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic. A legal case challenging the Governor’s actions has been made to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which is expected to render an opinion on the issue soon. In the meantime, the Society will continue to urge all policymakers to work together to help physicians in their fight against COVID-19.

Contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.  

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Doctor Day to feature legislative panel

Two great things to look forward to this spring – warm weather and Doctor Day 2021 on May 5! This year’s advocacy day will be virtual and include all the key elements of years past including a keynote presentation, priority issue briefing, policy breakouts and, of course, legislative visits! 

This year’s policy and politics panel will include members of the powerful budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance. Committee co-chairs Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) and Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) will be joined by their colleagues Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) and Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point). Attendees will hear a first-hand account of important budget topics – and during the middle of budget negotiations. This includes policy related to the Department of Health Services and funding for the Medicaid Program. This is a great opportunity to hear differing views on policy and spending priorities for the 2021-23 Biennial Budget and current legislative session.


L to R: Marklein, Born, Erpenbach, Goyke

The multi-specialty nature of Doctor Day makes Wisconsin's annual physicians' advocacy event unique compared to similar events across the country. Physicians and medical students from nearly 20 different physician organizations annually participate in Doctor Day.

Learn first-hand how you can make a difference in the legislative process! Sign up today to participate in Doctor Day. Please contact Heidi Green with any questions.

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New SARS-CoV-2 CME series begins next week with Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Safety

The first of four sessions in the Wisconsin Medical Society’s new SARS-CoV-2 CME Town Hall Series* kicks off with Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Safety presented by Jonathan L. Temte, MD, PhD, Associate Dean for Public Health and Community Engagement at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH).

This webinar series is free for Wisconsin Medical Society members, but registration is required to attend.

Session topics and schedule for the entire series are listed below. All live presentations will be held from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. To register for the entire series click here.

February 10: Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Safety
February 17: SARS CoV-2 mutations, immunity duration and transmissibility after vaccine, effect of vaccine on testing for the virus
February 24: Preventing SARS-CoV-2 in Systems
March 3: SARS Cov-2 infections in children and adolescents and pathophysiology of unusual effect of the virus

Please email education@wismed.org with any questions.

*This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 credit™.

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What has your white coat seen?

Every year, the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) provides a white coat to every incoming medical student in Wisconsin. The Foundation wants to share your white coat experience with the donors who make this work possible and hopes to make it a little more fun this year!

The Foundation is asking past and present medical students to share their white coat stories! What is the best or worst thing your white coat has seen during your training? Share a picture of yourself or your peers in action, a story of what your white coat means to you or a meaningful moment from your training.

Students (past and present!) who submit a picture and a story will be entered into a drawing to win free wine and cheese* from our upcoming tasting series!

Please send submissions to Jess Bourin-Schreiter before March 1 to be entered into the drawing.

*Must be at least 21 years of age to win

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Foundation Board welcomes new members

The Wisconsin Medical Society Board of Trustees approved a new physician member and two new student members to the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Board on January 23.


Pamela Wilson, MD

Pamela Wilson, MD, begins a three-year term with the Foundation. Dr. Wilson has been with Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers since 2002 and currently serves as Vice President of Medical Affairs. She served as Director of Family Medicine from 2008-2011, became the Medical Director in 2011 and has been serving as VP of Medical Affairs since 2017. Dr. Wilson received her Medical Degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her Family Practice Residency at St. Mary’s Hospital where she served as Chief Resident. She is the immediate past president of the Milwaukee County Medical Society. In 2015, Dr. Wilson received the Health Care Heroes Award from the BizTimes, and in 2014 she received the Humanitarian Award from Pastors United.

Additionally, Jamal Jarrett from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Andrew Pan Huang from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health will be stepping into one-year student terms.

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Wisconsin Medical Society Holdings Board welcomes new members


Michael Foley, MD, Greg Dombrowski, MBA

Wisconsin Medical Society Holdings is pleased to welcome Michael Foley, MD (left), and Greg Dombrowski, MBA (right), to its board. Both new members were approved at the January 23 board meeting. 

Michael Foley, MD, is a board-certified emergency physician with more than 24 years of clinical emergency medicine experience and more than 15 years of health care leadership. He is the President & CEO of Madison Emergency Physicians, S.C., an independent, private practice group with more than 100 clinical professionals. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health and did his emergency medicine residency at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Foley continues to work clinical shifts in the emergency department and focuses administratively on leadership development, strategic growth and organizational health. He is continuing his leadership development and life-long learning at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Executive MBA Program.

Dr. Foley’s interest in serving as a Holdings board member is centered around learning and sharing health care business ideas with other physicians and physician-owned organizations across the state. He hopes his perspective leading a private physician group will help Holdings create member services that will preserve the financial health of physicians and their health care partners.

Greg Dombrowski brings 35 years of financial expertise advising privately held organizations. Greg began his professional career as a CPA with KPMG Peat Marwick with a focus in taxation and bank mergers. He then moved into controller and commercial banking positions with Firstar Bank and BMO Bank. In 1996 Greg was recruited to start a bank for Johnson Financial Group in Madison, where he served as Regional President until his retirement at the end of 2019. Under his leadership, the bank grew at a rapid pace, from a desk in his basement to an organization with over $600M in assets, more than $2B in investments under management and more than 140 associates. Greg earned his MBA from UW-Madison and a BBA in Accounting from St. Ambrose University. He has served on many community boards, including Agrace (Hospice) and Meriter (Hospital) Foundations and United Way of Dane County.

Greg enjoys the process of business strategy and helping organizations execute on new opportunities. The Wisconsin Medical Society holds a special place in Greg’s career as one of the first clients to come aboard when the Madison Johnson Bank was founded. Additionally, as a servant to his community, Greg appreciates the role Society fills in supporting and improving health care in Wisconsin.

Continuing members of the Holding Corporation Board of Directors, as approved by the Society Board:

Clyde M. Chumbley, MD (eligible by position as Society CEO)
J. Stewart Watson, MD, Chair
John Cook
Susan Turney, MD
Tim Logemann, MD
Timothy Crummy, MD
Anna Steinfest
Rupesh Patel, MD

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Backdoor Roth, real estate and White Coat Investor events 

Please join WisMed Financial for educational events in February and March. These are complimentary and exclusive to Wisconsin Medical Society members. The recording and materials will be provided for registrants who miss the live event for Backdoor Roth IRAs and Real Estate Investing, so please be sure to register!

Backdoor Roth IRAs
Friday February 19, 12:00-12:30 p.m.
One of the leading tax strategies for physicians to consider, the backdoor Roth IRA can increase your net investment returns by eliminating taxation of investment gains. Register here.

Real Estate Investing
Thursday March 11, 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Examine various ways to invest in real estate, the pros and cons of each, the tax advantages and disadvantages and when it is appropriate to add to your portfolio. Register here.

Early Career Financial Management
Thursday March 25, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
James Dahle, MD, of the White Coat Investor® will speak about financial topics crucial to your success as an early career physician such as student loans, insurance and investing. Register here.

Please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® at 608.442.3750 with any questions. 

WisMed Financial

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

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