Support grants – give to the Health & Harmony appeal

This year, our Foundation fundraiser, Health & Harmony, is focused on benefiting our grants program. Our grants support organizations advancing health equity across the state.

Learn more about a specific organization, Keep Area Teens Safe (KATS), that was a recent recipient of our community grant. Mary Jo Freeman, MD, in recommending KATS for support, noted, “Being homeless clearly impacts the health and the future success of these 12 to 17-year-olds.” She added, “The kids come with nothing and need clothing, medical care, dental care.”

KATS serves as a voluntary safe haven for 20 days while outreach staff works with other organizations to secure a long-term and safe living environment for each youth. In addition to secure housing, KATS provides trauma-informed care, nutritious meals, case management, academic support, connection to mentorship, mental health resources and connections to other community services to ensure the support and care of each youth.

Our goal is to raise enough to fund four community grants during Health & Harmony. We would love if you could help us kick start our goal. Please donate here.

We look forward to seeing those who are joining us at Health & Harmony on April 14 and 15!

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Doctor Day 2023 is just two months away!

Our annual Doctor Day is set for Thursday, June 15 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. Learn how you can make a difference in the legislative process! Please click here to register today and view the schedule for this day of advocacy.

If this is your first Doctor Day, plan on attending the orientation at 8 a.m. The remaining schedule for the morning includes policy break-out sessions to discuss the issues of the day in detail, a fantastic keynote speaker (who will be announced next week!), a legislative panel discussion on policy and politics and a priority issues briefing to prepare you for the legislative visits at the Capitol.

The day includes breakfast, lunch and a happy hour and it’s all free thanks to our incredible sponsors!

Doctor Day is one of the largest and most unique advocacy events for physicians in the country. This event is an equal partnership of multi-specialty medical societies in Wisconsin gathering together to advocate in person on behalf of medicine and patients. It is open to physicians, residents and medical students.

Register today. If you have any questions, contact Heidi Green.

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Happy National Healthcare Decisions Day – April 16!

Guest article by George Lange, MD, Chair of Steering Committee for Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives by the Wisconsin Medical Society

National Healthcare Decision Day, (NHDD), has been on April 16 since 2008. Why April 16? Because Benjamin Franklin said that the only things certain in life are death and taxes. As you know, April 15 is tax day—so April 16 was a natural choice! The purpose of NHDD is to educate everyone about Advanced Care Planning and Advance Directives and to remind people to think about reviewing their existing Advance Directive for an update as sometimes our goals of care change as we go through life. The reason people want an Advance Directive is to be able to choose the health care that they want and to give families peace of mind when tough choices arise in health care for their loved one who is unable to speak for themselves.

Advance Care Planning is considering what your goals of health care may be.

• You should discuss your health care goals with a facilitator, your planned health care Agent and anyone else who might help with your health plan.
• Then, you complete a document, called an Advance Directive, which lays out your goals of medical treatment and your Agent’s name and, if appropriate, your backup Agents. Your Agent is a person who you trust to make health care decisions based on your goals of care, should you not be able to speak for yourself. As part of planning, it is important to discuss your goals of care with your Agent and backup Agents and make sure that they are willing to serve as your Agent and follow your goals of care.
• The Advance Directive needs to be witnessed and signed by a disinterested third party—this can be a friend, a neighbor, social worker or clergy. It cannot be a relative or spouse. In Wisconsin, it does not require a notary. While attorneys may include Advance Directive in their estate planning, an attorney is not required. You can find an Advance Directive document that you can complete at this website, which also has a proclamation from Governor Evers supporting National Healthcare Decisions Day. The form is also available in other languages in addition to English.
• Copies of the Advance Directive should be given to your physician, health care professional or health care system and your Agent, as well as anyone else who you feel should have a copy. You should keep track of who has a copy of your Advance Directive, should you want to update it.

You should review your Advance Directive, every 10 years, if your Agent dies, if your Agent is your spouse and you get a divorce, if you have a new major diagnosis or if you feel you have had a significant decline in your health.

Please help increase awareness of Advance Directives:

• Be sure to review your Advance Directive if you have one and share it with your family.
• If not, complete an advance directive.
• Encourage your patients, friends, family and neighbors to have an Advance Directive.
• Make sure that your health care providers have a copy of yours.
• Contact George Lange, MD, regarding any organizations that may want a presentation about Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives.

If you have any questions about Advance Care Planning or Advance Directives, please contact George Lange, MD at [email protected].

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Will investment history repeat?

We’ve seen this before. Problems in the banking sector, high money market balances, easing inflation, the end of interest rates hikes, an inverted yield curve and a low consumer confidence index are all part of today’s investing market. If history repeats itself, will it be good for your portfolio?

Let’s see what history tells us.

For personalized help eliminating debt, investing smart and securing retirement, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750.

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

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Member discounts on office supplies, technology, travel with WisMed Perks

Through WisMed Perks, Wisconsin Medical Society members can access vendor discounts on a variety of products and services, including office supplies and technology. Below are a few examples.

By taking inventory of what you have and what you need, you can ensure that you're prepared for the busy spring and summer months ahead.

From paper, ink and toner to cleaning and breakroom supplies, use your WisMed savings and get deals on top must-haves without overspending.

Shop online and save up to 75% off on ODP's Best Value List of preferred products. Plus, you’ll enjoy the convenience of free next-business day delivery on qualifying orders within local delivery areas.

Need it faster? Buy online and pick your order up in-store or curbside. Click here to start shopping.

WisMed members are eligible to save up to 30% off the everyday public web price of Lenovo’s entire product line. Take advantage of great deals on everything you need for your office and home, including all laptops, tablets, desktops, all-in-ones, workstations, servers, and accessories. 

Not a MyLenovo Rewards Member?Sign up and earn rewards for future purchases. Plus, you’ll receive expedited delivery at no extra cost! Shop now at lenovo.com/us/en/wismed. 

Hotel Engine is a free and exclusive members-only hotel booking platform that connects WisMed members to deeply discounted hotel rates. Take advantage of an average of 26% off public rates at more than 150K+ hotels; no contracts, annual fees, or minimum spends; and superior 24/7, U.S.-based customer support. Sign up for free at members.hotelengine.com/join/wismed101.

WisMed members have access to exclusive travel savings from car rentals, hotels, and ticketing discounts to condos, villas, cruises, guided tours and group travel packages. Find exclusive savings from brands like Avis and Budget, Wyndham, Collette and member-exclusive hotel discount aggregators. 

Check back often for new providers and promotions! Whether you simply want to get from here to there or make your dream vacation a reality, WisMed members have all the tools right at your fingertips. Learn more here.

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