WisMed Leaders Celebrate Post-Partum Extension Bill Signing

Gov. Evers signs SB 23 into law as 2025 Act 102. WisMed Board of Directors member Leslie Abitz, MD, (above Gov. Evers’s left shoulder) also spoke at the event

Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) physician leaders helped celebrate the signing of important legislation more than six years in the making: extending post-partum care coverage for new mothers in the Medicaid program from just 60 days to a full year. WisMed President Michelle Graham, MD, and Board member Leslie Abitz, MD, joined Governor Tony Evers March 18 at Children’s Hospital Milwaukee for the ceremony.

Wisconsin becomes the 49th state to extend postpartum coverage to a full year. The policy case for such a move is clear: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and analysis by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, approximately one-third of pregnancy-related deaths occur between one week and one year after delivery. And the CDC’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee reports consistently show that more than 80% of pregnancy deaths in the U.S. are preventable with timely medical intervention and stable access to care.

WisMed President Michelle Graham, MD, with Gov. Evers following bill signing ceremony

Getting a post-partum extension bill passed has been a WisMed advocacy priority for more than six years. For more information, contact WisMed Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD.

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The Foundation Awards a Record $293,500 in Scholarships!

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) has awarded $293,500 in scholarships to 81 students for the 2026-2027 school year. These awards are possible thanks to physicians, County Medical Societies, and families generously giving to support and encourage the next generation of medical professionals.

Applications are carefully reviewed by the Foundation’s Student Support Committee, weighing each applicant’s financial need, community involvement, and personal story to find the best match between student and the qualities that each scholarship fund seeks to encourage and reward.

After receiving notice of being awarded the Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker Scholarship, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health student Mustafa Quadir wrote, “I am honored to receive the Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker Scholarship. This scholarship deeply resonates with me because the story of Dr. Walkers parents' sacrifices and dedication to providing a better life for their children reminds me of my parents, who immigrated from Pakistan, and have worked tirelessly to ensure that my brother and I achieve our dreams. Your generosity not only eases my financial burden as a medical student but also reminds me of the importance of gratitude and paying it forward. I am grateful for Dr. Walker's legacy and his decision to continue supporting students like me. I am committed to using my medical education to care for my community as a primary care physician and to give back in honor of those who have helped me along the way. Thank you for this meaningful gift and for honoring the legacy of Edmund and Estelle Walker.”

Named scholarship funds currently administered by the Foundation include:

• Wisconsin Medical Society Presidential Scholar Award, established and funded Current and Past Presidents and Leadership of the Wisconsin Medical Society.
• Future Superhero of Medicine Scholarship, established by 2020 Foundation Superhero of Medicine recipient, Jasmine Zapata, MD.
• Dane County Medical Society Scholarship, established by a gift from Dane County Medical Society.
• Jefferson County Medical Society Scholarship, established by a gift from Jefferson County Medical Society.
• Marathon County Medical Society Scholarship, supported by annual donations from the county medical society and its members.
• Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker Scholarship, established by Thomas Walker, MD, as a trust to provide an annual distribution to the Foundation for scholarships in memory of his parents.
• Victor A. Baylon, MD, Scholarship, established with donations in memory of Dr. Baylon.
• Robert Jason Gore Scholarship, established by Dr. Donald and Jacquelyn Gore in memory of their grandson, who was killed in Iraq.
• Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD, Scholarship, established by an estate gift from Dr. Hunter-Wilson.
• William R. Brauer, MD, Scholarship, established by Mary Brauer, and supported by annual donations from the Brauer estate in memory of her brother, Dr. Brauer.
• John D. and Virginia Riesch Scholarship, established by Dr. and Mrs. Riesch through a charitable donation from his Individual Retirement Account.
• Rukmini and Joyce Vasudevan Scholarship, established by Sridhar Vasudevan, MD, to honor his wife and mother.

You can support the future of medicine in Wisconsin by donating to the Foundation’s scholarship program. To learn more about the legacy and history of each award, please visit our legacies page. If you would like to learn how you or your county medical society can establish a legacy of support for students, please contact Yoshie Wingate.

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March 25 Webinar: Addressing Loneliness and Isolation in Healthcare

Even in team-based environments, many health care professionals experience loneliness and isolation. Long hours, emotional strain, and the pressure to “push through” can make connection difficult — and the impact on well-being is real.

In recognition of National Healthcare Workforce Wellbeing Day on March 18, join our partner Marvin Behavioral Health on March 25 at 11 a.m. for a webinar: “You’re Not Alone: Addressing Loneliness & Isolation in Healthcare.” The webinar will explore why isolation is so common in health care and share practical strategies to strengthen connection and resilience. The session includes a live Q&A.

You care for others every day. This conversation is about supporting you. Click here to register.

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New Policy Proposal Posted for Member Comments Through March 27

A new policy proposal has been submitted for Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) member review – you can add your stance and any comments now through March 27 on the members-only PolicyLink website.*

The submitted proposal calls for WisMed to support a policy change to Wisconsin law regarding the physical placement of a child following a legal action affecting a family such as a divorce. The proposal to support the creation of a presumption of equal physical placement unless that is determined to not be in the child’s best interest was introduced in the 2025-26 State Legislative session as companion bills (having the same language) Assembly Bill 151/Senate Bill 161. Neither bill received a committee vote.

To participate in WisMed policymaking:

1. Visit policylink.wismed.org
2. Login with your WisMed username and password
3. Click “Comment on Proposal” from the menu at the top of the page
4. Select “Comment Period 1”
5. Click on the proposal title
6. When ready, click on support, oppose, or suggest amendments and submit any comments in the text box
7. Click “Submit Comment” button at the bottom of the page

WisMed’s Policy Proposal Review Committee will review all member feedback at its April 13, 2026 meeting and make a recommendation on the proposal to the WisMed Board of Directors. The Board will discuss those recommendations at its next meeting on May 2, 2026 and vote to approve, modify, not approve, or recommend further study. That outcome will be posted on PolicyLink for member review and feedback.

Contact WisMed Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD with any questions.

* PolicyLink requires your WisMed username and password. Click here to retrieve your username or password, or call 866.442.3800 or email [email protected] for assistance.

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DHS Releases 2025 Statewide Vaccination Rate Data, Childhood Rates Continue Decline

Health officials sound alarm as number of children unprotected against preventable diseases increases

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently issued the following press release about its annual vaccination rates among children, adolescents, and adults for 2025. The data show Wisconsin's childhood vaccination rates continued to decrease last year. While nearly 7 of every 10 children (66.9%) had the recommended vaccinations at age 24 months, nearly 3 of every 10 did not. This is a decline of almost 2% from 2024.

"In public health, we use data like this as an alert system. Today that alert system is sending a clear signal that the health and well-being of Wisconsin kids and communities are at risk," said Paula Tran, state health officer and Division of Public Health administrator. "Vaccination rates aren't just numbers on a chart, they represent real people—children, families, and neighbors. Even small declines in vaccination rates increase the risk of preventable diseases spreading and outbreaks occurring."

Alongside the decline in childhood vaccination rates, the 2025 data also show very minor decreases in adolescent vaccines such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines. At the same time, the vaccination rates to protect against meningococcal disease (meningitis) for adolescents increased, and rates across all adult vaccinations stayed steady.

"Vaccines prepare our immune systems to recognize and respond to serious diseases, and they also protect entire communities," said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases. "When everyone can access the recommended vaccinations on time, it can stop vaccine preventable diseases from spreading."

As part of a statewide network of partners including health systems, clinics, pharmacies, and public health agencies, DHS is working to expand partnerships and support local needs.

"Families have told us that they are concerned about access to health care, busy schedules, and the many other pressures they face that make it feel difficult to get their kids to checkups," said Stephanie Schauer, manager of the DHS' Wisconsin Immunization Program. "Public health and health care providers across the state are here to help families break down these barriers to keep families safe from vaccine preventable diseases."

Wisconsinites are encouraged to use the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to check their and their child's vaccine status and to talk to a trusted health care provider about recommended vaccines. Families can access free or low-cost vaccines through programs like Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults. Learn more about vaccines on the DHS Get the Facts About Vaccines webpage.

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Properly Reporting a Backdoor Roth IRA

The Backdoor Roth IRA remains one of the most effective strategies for high-income physicians to build tax-free wealth. It is also one of the most common tax errors we find during tax reviews. Here are the key technical details to get it right.

Supporting Tax Documents

• 5498: Traditional IRA contributions are reported to you on form 5498 by your investment firm. This is step 1 of the backdoor Roth IRA. However, some firms do not send this form until May because investors have until April 15 to make their IRA contribution for the prior year. If you receive the form late, you should still include your IRA contribution on your tax return.
• 1099-R: This is for the conversion from the traditional IRA to Roth IRA which is step 2 of the backdoor Roth IRA. Unlike form 5498, this one is delivered early in the year and should be available to file your tax return.

Tax Return Form 8606

• Within your tax return, this form performs two critical functions:
  • Tracking Basis: A calculation on this form determines if your Traditional IRA contribution was "nondeductible" (already taxed). Without this, the IRS may assume the money was pre-tax and attempt to tax it a second time when you convert it to a Roth. One of the key figures in the calculation is the sum of your IRA balances as of 12/31 for the prior year. Note – the sum is for all pretax IRAs including Traditional IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs. This is another area where we regularly catch errors. If you have balances in these types of accounts, a portion of your conversion will be taxable. Contact us or your financial advisor about how to clean up your balances so you can do a proper backdoor Roth IRA.
  • Reporting the Conversion: It calculates what portion of your conversion is tax-free. If you contribute $7,000 and it grows to $7,005 before you convert, Form 8606 ensures only that $5 of growth is taxed.
• Note for married couples: If both you and your spouse performed a Backdoor Roth IRA, you must each file a separate Form 8606. These are individual forms, not joint ones.

Key Figures to Share with Your Tax Preparer

• The total amount of traditional IRA contributions made for 2025. Tip: you can still contribute until 4/15/2026.
• The 1099-R for the conversion from traditional IRA to Roth IRA
• Your 12/31/2025 balances across all Traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs.

By correctly filing Form 8606 and managing your year-end balances, you can ensure your Backdoor Roth remains the powerful, tax-free vehicle it was intended to be.

For personalized help with your financial plan, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional before making any financial decisions.

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Cultural Humility – Mayo Clinic Course April 21-22

The Mayo Clinic Cultivating Cultural Humility course will be held April 21 - 22, 2026 at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. This two-day live course is an interactive, immersive training experience in cultural humility and its applications in health care delivery.

Attendees will learn respectful approaches for engaging Indigenous communities that bridge cultural divides and address barriers to health care access and treatment adherence to improve patient outcomes and experience for all. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Andrew Calvin.

Click here for course details including program schedule, location, registration, and more.

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Take Wisconsin Women’s Reproductive Health Care Access Survey by March 23

The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) is seeking input from health professionals around the state about access to women’s reproductive health care. You are invited to take a brief online survey from the OCI about women’s access to reproductive health care services including contraception and well-woman visits. Survey results will directly support OCI’s regulatory and public awareness efforts.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Contact Coral Manning at [email protected] with any questions.

Click here to take the survey by March 23.

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Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin Annual Meeting May 16

Join the Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin (SCW) for its 2026 Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 16 in Wisconsin Dells. Surgeons and quality leaders from across the state are invited for a day of challenging case discussions, surgical insights, and innovative quality improvement topics. Registration is free and includes meals, up to 6.50 CME credits, confidential performance reports, and special Glacier Canyon Lodge rates with water park passes.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and network with peers: register today. Complete meeting details can be found here.

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Upcoming Webinars About AHW Funding Opportunity for Remote Hypertension Control

The Advancing Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) has announced a funding opportunity related to Remote Patient Care (RPC) for hypertension. This opportunity will be open to any health care organization or Federally Qualified Health Center within Wisconsin. AHW is hosting two information sessions for potential applicants.

Informational Session I: New, forthcoming grant opportunity from AHW to support Remote Hypertension Control
March 23, 2026, 4 p.m. CT

The Advancing Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) is inviting health care organizations (HCO), including Federally Qualified Health Centers, to apply for its forthcoming Remote Hypertension Control Grant. The goal of this opportunity is to improve blood pressure control across Wisconsin to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and premature deaths.

HCOs receiving awards will work with Cadence, the selected Remote Patient Monitoring/Remote Patient Care partner. Successful applicants will receive $300,000. Cadence drafts compliant claims and invoices only after reimbursement, ensuring a net-positive program.

We invite you to join one of these Zoom sessions to see a demo from Cadence and hear more about the AHW funding opportunity and larger AHW Landmark Initiative focused on Hypertension.

Learn more and register.

Informational Session II: New, forthcoming grant opportunity from AHW to support Remote Hypertension Control
April 2, 2026, 11 a.m. CT

The Advancing Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) is inviting health care organizations (HCO), including Federally Qualified Health Centers, to apply for its forthcoming Remote Hypertension Control Grant. The goal of this opportunity is to improve blood pressure control across Wisconsin to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and premature deaths.

HCOs receiving awards will work with Cadence, the selected Remote Patient Monitoring/Remote Patient Care partner. Successful applicants will receive $300,000. Cadence drafts compliant claims and invoices only after reimbursement, ensuring a net-positive program.

We invite you to join one of these Zoom sessions to see a demo from Cadence and hear more about the AHW funding opportunity and larger AHW Landmark Initiative focused on Hypertension.

Learn more and register.

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