Ballots are set for the November 8 general election!

Tuesday’s primary election has determined the candidates that are up for election in less than three months. Listed below are the candidates in major statewide races. U.S. House, state legislative and local races are also on the fall ballot.

U.S. Senate – Senator Ron Johnson (incumbent/R) vs. Mandela Barnes (D)
Governor/Lt. Gov – Governor Tony Evers (incumbent) & Sara Rodriguez (D) vs. Tim Michels & Roger Roth (R)
Attorney General – Attorney General Josh Kaul (incumbent/D) vs. Eric Toney (R)
Secretary of State – Secretary Doug La Follette (incumbent/D) vs. Amy Loudenbeck (R)

These races will shape our state’s direction. The WISMedPAC Board will discuss all the races and potential contributions to candidates who support positive health care policy.

WISMedDirect is also available for your political contributions! If you’re going to contribute to any of these races, please do it via WISMedDirect (our conduit). You control where your contributions are distributed. It’s just like making the contribution directly to the campaign. It’s simple and it makes such a difference when physicians voices are elevated together for their profession and their patients.

Please contact Heidi Green at heidi.green@wismed.org or 608.442.3720 to set up your account in minutes and she’ll take care of your political contributions.

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Welcoming the new students at Medical College of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation and Society staff were eager to welcome first year students at Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee on Monday, August 8 when they were fitted for their very first White Coats and received their letters of welcome from Wisconsin physicians. Students will officially don their new coats at the White Coat Ceremony on Friday, August 19. Society President-Elect, Don Lee, MD, will represent the Society at the Ceremony, attended by students, faculty, their families and supporters.

The Society is excited to welcome students in person for the first time since the pandemic began. Watching the surprise as students learn their very first White Coat was donated by a practicing physician in the state is exciting, but seeing the deep gratitude expressed by students when they read the note written for them from a Wisconsin Physician is truly moving and motivating in our collective work to support the future of medicine in Wisconsin.

In addition to sponsoring a White Coat, the physicians who donate to the Foundation also support Research Fellowships, Scholarships, mentoring and specialty exploration through the Foundation’s annual Operation Education program. Physicians throughout Wisconsin rally together to warmly welcome medical students to the profession and provide continued support throughout their careers.

The Foundation and Society are continually listening to students and physicians to better understand the demands and concerns facing medical education and practice and also to celebrate moments of unity in the profession.

Thanks to all who participate in the annual White Coat campaign. You can support the future of medicine in Wisconsin by donating to the Foundation’s scholarship program. If you would like to learn how you or your county medical society can establish a legacy of support for students, please contact Elizabeth Ringle with any questions.

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Around the State in 8 Districts touches down in District 7

On a perfect Wisconsin summer afternoon, staff from the Wisconsin Medical Society, WisMed Assure and the Foundation arrived at Carson Park in Eau Claire for the Annual Tri-County Medical Society Corn Roast on August 9. Physicians from across District 7 joined in the relaxing gathering to enjoy fresh roasted corn and hamburgers and a chance to connect across career stages, specialties, health systems and counties with fellow physicians and their families.

Through the Foundation’s annual Physician County Survey, we know some of the greatest challenges facing the profession are burnout along with concerns over staff shortages, a lack of autonomy and a sense of isolation. Informal gatherings like these allow physicians to connect – making it easier to develop relationships to work collectively on the issues facing the profession and make a meaningful difference. It was also a great chance for WisMed staff to hear physicians’ concerns and the pride they have in their work and their communities, including the organizations that are working to improve the lives of their patients outside of the clinic.

Through the annual survey, Eau Claire physicians identified several community organizations providing important services, including the LE Phillips Senior Center. With the Around the State in 8 Districts campaign, the Foundation was able to award a grant to the LE Phillips Senior Center and staff was able to see firsthand why local physicians believe this is an important resource in the community. The Center just celebrated its 25^th anniversary last week. Funding from the Foundation and donations directly from physicians in this community helped the center install AED devices and continue important programing including health screenings, a foot clinic and fitness programs. Any community member over the age of 50 is welcomed and it was wonderful to see a wide array of ages exercising, playing cards and providing support to each other. Students from UW-Eau Claire are regular interns expanding the services provided. The center offers a variety of fitness programs with a full cardio center, pickle ball courts, yoga, aerobics, boxing and fitness drumming classes.

Marlene, a member, eagerly greeted Foundation staff and offered, “No senior in Eau Claire should be lonely. All are welcome here.” The Center’s Executive Director, Jackie Minor noted how extremely valuable it was to receive this grant made possible by the physicians of this community. “Our electric bill alone for July was $4,333. With just operating costs it is difficult to see how to fund things like putting in accessible AEDs and expanding supportive services.”

Shining a light on wonderful organizations that physicians recognize as increasing the health and longevity of community members, like LE Philips Senior Center, seeing the vibrancy and support of physicians taking time to be together at gatherings like those hosted by the Tri-County Medical Society and sharing all the local beauty that make it great to practice medicine in Wisconsin is part of the what we hope to do with our Around the State in 8 Districts campaign. We look forward to landing in each district in the state.

Please take the time to complete our 2022 Physician County Survey. Your input will help the Foundation and WisMed in setting priorities related to better serving physicians and our communities.

If you would like to learn more about LE Phillips Senior Center, please visit lep-sc.org. Help us improve health equity and access in your community by donating today to the Around the State in 8 Districts campaign – every dollar will go directly back to your district to support programs that were championed by your fellow physicians. For questions or to learn more about the Foundation or our programs, please contact Executive Director, Elizabeth Ringle at elizabeth.ringle@wismed.org.

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Digital marketing discount for WisMed members

Wisconsin Medical Society members can access an exclusive discount to produce a digital marketing or TV broadcast campaign with WMSN Fox 47 News. Digital marketing (commercials on streaming services) is a fraction of the cost of traditional TV commercials.

Additionally, this discount includes creative design and bilingual services. There are no production fees on the commercial, the ads can be targeted to key market segments and the campaign results can be tracked.

Learn more about this great opportunity or contact Chris Lezotte at clezotte@sbgtv.com or 608.662.5019.

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HHS and DOJ issue nondiscrimination in telehealth guidance

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Telehealth: Federal Protections to Ensure Accessibility to People with Disabilities and Limited English Proficient Persons. The guidance reviews the legal obligations of health care professionals to provide telehealth in a nondiscriminatory manner and includes steps they can take to comply with the laws and examples of discriminatory actions. The guidance also includes resources for health care professionals and patients.

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Latest issue of WMJ explores social determinants of health

The most recent issue of WMJ explores factors that influence health disparities. Many factors impact our health and well-being including our communities, housing, education, social support, family income, employment, and childhood experiences. In this issue of WMJ, authors explore several of these influences and some of the ways they lead to health disparities among patients.

Subscribe to WMJ and submit a manuscript here.

WMJ (the Wisconsin Medical Journal) is a peer-reviewed, indexed, scientific journal published quarterly and online ahead of print each month through a collaboration between the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

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Financial literacy resources for medical students, physicians

Reducing financial stress gives physicians and medical students the brain space to focus on more important things like their loved ones, hobbies and the practice of medicine. Because of this, WisMed Assure and the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation partnered to create the Financial Literacy Series: What I Wish I Knew. This podcast series covers a range of topics including buying versus renting, taxes and retirement presented by University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health medical student Rufus Sweeney features the financial wellness course he developed with a grant from the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation. Click here to check out the full series.

Wisconsin Medical Society members can take advantage of additional financial services, including personalized financial planning through WisMed Financial and scholarships and loans through the Foundation.

For additional information, contact WisMed Assure at insurance@wismedassure.org or call 608.442.3810. WisMed Assure is the Wisconsin Medical Society’s insurance agency – profits earned support the mission of the Medical Society.

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