Foundation to present Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD Young Physician Leadership Award to Laurel Bessey, MD

We hope that you can join us on the evening of Friday, April 14, 2023 at Health & Harmony, when we recognize the outstanding advocacy and leadership of Laurel J. Bessey, MD, recipient of the 2023 Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, Young Physician Leadership Award.

The highly competitive and prestigious Viste Award was established in 2006 in memory of Dr. Viste, a compassionate and passionate physician leader who exemplified commitment to patients, community and the profession of medicine. Nominations for this award must come from physician peers and the recipient must demonstrate activities and values that promote Dr. Viste’s exceptional legacy.

Dr. Bessey, a psychiatrist with UW Health Wisconsin Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and the Associate Program Director for Psychiatry Residency, received multiple nominations highlighting her advocacy and leadership at the local, state and national level. The Foundation Board felt strongly that she was an outstanding physician to carry on Dr. Viste’s legacy and join the other notable recipients of this award. She is very active in the national conversation regarding graduate medical education and has sought out and pushed for ways to improve the quality and experience of psychiatric training. She is a well-respected physician recognized for her excellence in mentoring and teaching.

In addition to presenting an engraved award to Dr. Bessey, the Foundation will contribute a donation in her honor to MEDiC, a student-led organization that runs six free health clinics throughout the Madison area. “We feel so honored to receive this donation," stated Tien Vo, MEDiC Director of Development. “On behalf of our MEDiC student leaders and volunteers, we are proud to continue improving health accessibility by providing opportunities for UW health professions students to serve the greater Madison community."

At the event, in addition to the award recognition, there will be a great social time with colleagues, a lively raffle and wine pull and time to tap and sing along to fabulously fun and talented Piano Fondue, Dueling Pianos. We will recognize several other notable physicians in the state, including our Superhero of Medicine, Karen Watson, MD, and incoming Wisconsin Medical Society President Don Lee, MD.

Proceeds from this event support health initiatives across the state and our well-trained and dedicated physician workforce in Wisconsin.

To partner with the Foundation as a sponsor, click here or contact Mikaela Powers.

In addition to the Foundation celebration and dinner, Health & Harmony includes the Wisconsin Medical Society’s medical education conference and annual business meeting, which will be held April 14 and 15 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. The education conference will focus on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in health care. 

We hope you can join us! Purchase an education conference ticket for just $149 and get one Foundation event ticket for free. Additionally, WisMed members get discounted CME registration! Contact [email protected] to get your coupon code. Register here for part or all of the Annual Event.

Back to top

Support your Supreme Court candidate via WISMedDIRECT

The Supreme Court majority will be decided on April 4, with either former Justice Daniel Kelly keeping the right leaning court in place or Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz bumping the majority to the left.

This race is expected to have record-breaking fundraising. Each campaign’s effort to get out the vote will determine the outcome. Unfortunately, these races have become extremely expensive.

The campaigns are buying up airtime and organizing their grassroots efforts now. So now is the time to make your contribution and make your voice heard.

If you’re financially supporting either candidate, please do it through WISMedDIRECT. WISMedDIRECT is the Wisconsin Medical Society’s conduit and gathers personal contributions from our members to contribute to the candidates of their choice. These contributions are exactly like contributing directly to a campaign, but when sent with other physician contributions, can make a real impact. Contact Heidi Green at 608.358.6116 and she’ll be happy to get your contribution to the candidate you hope will win on April 4.

Back to top

Want to be happier? Change your financial decisions.

Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between money and happiness. However, the relationship is not as straightforward as it may seem. While having enough money to meet our basic needs is essential for happiness, having an excessive amount of money does not necessarily translate to greater happiness. In fact, studies have shown that beyond a certain point, increased wealth has a diminishing impact on our happiness.

Financial decisions also affect our sense of security and control. When we feel financially secure, we are better able to handle unexpected situations and are less likely to experience stress and anxiety. On the other hand, financial insecurity can lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of control over our lives.

One of the most significant impacts of financial decisions on our happiness is the way we spend our money. Research has shown that spending money on experiences such as travel, concerts or dining out, tends to bring more happiness than spending money on material possessions. Experiences create memories that we can cherish for a lifetime, while material possessions tend to lose their value over time.

It's also important to consider the long-term repercussions of financial decisions. For example, taking on too much debt can lead to financial stress and anxiety in the future, while saving and investing wisely can lead to greater financial security and peace of mind.

So, how can we make better financial decisions that will positively impact our happiness and well-being? Here are a few tips:

• Create a budget and stick to it. Knowing where your money is going and having a plan for your spending can help you feel more in control and reduce stress and anxiety.
• Prioritize experiences over material possessions. Spending on experiences can create memories and bring more happiness in the long run than material goods.
• Save and invest wisely. Building a savings cushion and investing for the future can provide a sense of security and peace of mind.
• Avoid excessive debt. Taking on too much debt can lead to financial stress and anxiety, so be mindful of your borrowing and pay off any debts as quickly as possible.

By making better financial decisions, we can improve our financial security, reduce stress and anxiety and increase our overall sense of happiness and well-being.

Want to learn more? Join us for an upcoming event. Replays are provided to all registrants. We look forward to seeing you there!

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. 

Back to top

Reminder: vote for Society offices via WisMed Mobile

President-elect Nominee - Cynthia Hart, MD, FAAFP

Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) Members can vote for WisMed President-elect and Treasurer via the WisMed Mobile app.* According to WisMed’s Constitution, Article V, the President-elect and Treasurer will be elected by the general membership.

The Nominating Committee of the Wisconsin Medical Society prepared a slate of nominees for WisMed offices during its January 20 meeting. The nominees, including those for American Medical Association (AMA) Delegates are as follows:

• President-elect: Cynthia M. Hart, MD, FAAFP
• AMA Delegate 2024 and 2025: George Lange, MD, FACP
• AMA Delegate 2024 and 2025: Don S. Lee, MD, MPH, FACP, SFHM
• AMA Delegate 2024 and 2025: Kieran McAvoy, MD
• AMA Alternate Delegate 2024: Corey M. Cronrath, DO, MPH, MBA
• AMA Alternate Delegate 2024: Tony Thrasher, DO, MBA, DFAPA
• AMA Alternate Delegate 2024 and 2025: Thomas I. Joles, MD
• AMA Alternate Delegate 2024 and 2025: Roger Kapoor, MD, MBA

Treasurer Nominee - John Cook, CPA

The Wisconsin Medical Society Board of Directors, as directed by WisMed’s Bylaws, selected its nominee for Treasurer on January 21, 2023:

• Treasurer: Mr. John Cook, CPA

The ballot for President-elect and Treasurer will be available until the close of business March 10. All Wisconsin Medical Society members are eligible to vote via WisMed Mobile.* The candidate materials are available for review on the ballot as well.

The Board of Directors will consider nominees for the AMA Delegates, Board of Directors and Nominating Committee members at its meeting in April.

*If you haven’t downloaded WisMed Mobile app, you can do so here. For assistance, please contact [email protected] or 800.762.8975.

Back to top

Snowmobile-related injuries in rural Wisconsin explored in latest issue of WMJ

Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity in Wisconsin and also a source of injury. Unfortunately, due to the rural location and procedure for reporting snowmobile-related injuries, assessing the magnitude of the problem is challenging. A study in the most recent issue of WMJ sought to accurately calculate the incidence and severity of these injuries over a 5-year period. Read the full article here.

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.

Back to top

WisMed members save on communication, tech and more through 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. 

Your WisMed UPS^® Savings Program has the tools you need for your small business. Plus, members save up 50% on all shipments.

Sign up for a new account, or if you already have a UPS account, simply re-enroll and apply our member-only savings to your existing account.

Message. Video. Phone. All in one app.

With RingCentral, businesses both big and small can communicate with customers, prospects, and teammates—however they need to, using the same app. And if you’re a WisMed member, you can get 15% off monthly on a new RingCentral Office service plus $50 off any RingCentral phone.

Give RingCentral a try or call us at 855.419.7526!

Constant Contact is built to simplify the complex task of marketing, even if you’re a beginner. Our award-winning team of marketing advisors are there for every customer, every step of the way, offering live, real-time marketing advice on the phone or online.

WisMed members receive an additional 10% off the standard prepay discounts. That's 20% off six months, or 25% off the full year. Pre-payment is required for these member exclusive savings. Click here to start today!

If you are already a Constant Contact customer and would like to apply these discounts to your account, please email your username to [email protected].

The best deals of the year are here! Receive up to 75% off select models and laptops under $250. MyLenovo Rewards members get free expedited delivery, now through March 19, 2023.

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. 

Back to top

Climate and health conference Forward for Health: Building Climate Justice Solutions in Wisconsin

Registration is now open for Forward for Health: Building Climate Justice Solutions in Wisconsin. The climate and health conference will be presented by Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action and the University of Wisconsin-Madison on April 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., either online or in Madison. Learn more and register here.

This learning experience will empower and prepare health professionals to meet this critical moment. A spectrum of interprofessional health care workers and community leaders will share lessons of how the climate crisis is affecting their patients and communities in both rural and urban Wisconsin settings. Through interactive panels, stories and networking, attendees will meet health care professionals from across the state that are taking healthy climate action to improve well-being.

Back to top