Financial planning now available to members

In order to help Wisconsin Medical Society members be secure, the Society has launched WisMed Financial, Inc. “Helping members with their finances can change the direction of a family and is a tremendous responsibility. WisMed Financial will have a meaningful and positive influence for our members,” said Mark Ziety, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. And the data supports it. Fifty percent of physicians under age 40 who use a professional financial advisor are ahead in savings, emergency funds and retirement tools according to a report.

To ensure the client’s interest always comes first, the company follows a no commission, fee-only model and is held to the fiduciary legal standard. According to The White Coat Investor®, it is estimated that 80% of doctors need, want and should use a financial planner and/or an investment manager. So it was important to put these high standards in place at the company’s creation.

Providing top-notch service and products is critical, too. The firm is partnering with TD Ameritrade, RightCapital and other industry leaders. In addition, Mark Ziety brings more than 15 years of experience, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.

The company helps members invest and plan for retirement, eliminate student loans, reduce taxes, plan for their family (wills and trust), charitable strategies, college funding and other personal financial matters. Mark can be reached at [email protected] or 608.442.3750. 

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Fast, hassle-free financing for WisMed members

The Wisconsin Medical Society is excited to announce a new exclusive financing partner available to members, Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG). This partnership with BHG will allow members to access a full suite of financial products such as working capital, personal loan solutions and credit cards all customized for the needs of physicians. 

Click here to learn more about BHG’s fast, hassle-free financing options by reaching out to their team of financing specialists. 

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Society urges public to help stem pandemic spread as caseload increases

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) continues to urge the public to help stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic by embracing certain public behaviors, especially as virus-related hospitalizations have dramatically increased to the point where many hospitals are reporting being at or near overall capacity. That push for more widespread use of masks, thorough hand hygiene and physical distancing to include avoiding large groups was part of the Society’s statement supporting an order from Governor Tony Evers’ administration October 6 temporarily limiting indoor public gatherings to 25 percent of a facility’s capacity. The order lasts for four weeks – or two COVID-19 incubation periods, according to DHS.

“The Society supports the Department of Health Services’ action to temporarily limit indoor public gatherings,” Society Board Chair Jerry Halverson, MD, DFAPA, says in the statement, “because the state simply must halt its current trajectory. We want to continue being the state leading the country in high-quality health care, not having one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the country.”

A recent New York Times story comparing areas with the most daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past two weeks placed three Wisconsin communities in the top five nationwide: Oshkosh/Neenah, Green Bay and Appleton ranked second, third and fourth respectively (Rexburg, Idaho was first). Marinette (8^th), Manitowoc (14^th), Platteville (16^th), Sheboygan (17^th) and Fond du Lac (19^th) all made the top 20.

The Society’s COVID-19 Task Force continues to meet biweekly to stay abreast of COVID-19 developments and make recommendations to help physicians, policymakers and the public combat the continuing pandemic.

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

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Foundation Facebook live to celebrate Superhero of Medicine on October 14

This year the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Superhero of Medicine Award went to Jasmine Zapata MD, MPH, for her extraordinary efforts to improve maternal health and decrease infant mortality. She was also recognized for her tireless work encouraging, supporting and mentoring Black girls and women to forge their own paths in medicine. Due to the pandemic, Dr. Zapata received her award virtually and that was not quite enough celebration. Please join us on October 14 at 1:00 pm via Facebook live to celebrate her birthday!

As a truly modest superhero, Dr. Zapata believes she is not unique, that there is a superhero in everyone and that in true Avenger style, teams are better than flying solo. We will use this celebration to share her exciting collaboration with the Foundation to expand the impact of work she has done across the state. Learn how you can be a part of the team working to eliminate health inequities in Wisconsin (and beyond), develop radical and innovative methods to support and inspire students from underrepresented minorities to become physicians and help diversify the health care workforce.

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Wisconsin Nursing Board exploring potential changes to collaboration requirements

The State of Wisconsin Board of Nursing has officially started the process to potentially amend the nursing administrative code related to Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers (APNP). The administrative code section is N8, with the board focusing on specific provisions requiring APNPs to be in a collaborative relationship with other health care professionals, at least one of whom must be a physician or a dentist.

The Board met virtually earlier today, October 8.

The administrative rules process starts with drafting a “scope statement,” which outlines the parameters of the potential rule change. The statement can be found here. If the Governor approves the scope statement (which is likely), the board will then begin to debate any changes they wish to make to the code chapter. There is opportunity for public input during this process, and the Wisconsin Medical Society will coordinate with other physician advocacy groups on any potential feedback related to the proposed changes, once they are known.

For more information, contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD.

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Mental health and social disparity – next WisMed Town Hall

Don’t miss the last two town hall sessions in this series! Joy Ippolito, PhD, Social Impact Investment Director, Healthy Youth Development at the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact will present at the October 14 Virtual Town Hall. Dr. Ippolito will address the topic of mental health and social disparity.

Registration is required and can be completed here. A new series will be announced next week.

Please email Anne Hauer with any questions.

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As pandemic strains hospital staffing, WEAVR seeks health professional volunteers

The state is facing unprecedented COVID-19 hospitalization numbers. This not only stresses hospital capacity, but it also strains the physician and health team workforce. Retired or nonpracticing physicians in good standing can help through the state’s Wisconsin Emergency Assistance Volunteer Registry (WEAVR) program. Administered through the state’s Department of Health Services, WEAVR connects physicians with volunteer opportunities that can help health care facilities facing staffing challenges.

WEAVR collects and maintains information pertaining to physicians and other health professional volunteers, and serves as the system for identifying, activating and deploying volunteers during events like the current COVID-19 surge. Once registered, you may be contacted should a local need arise in your area – and it is your decision whether you are in a position to assist.

For more information about the WEAVR program, visit the site’s FAQ section.

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HHS distributing another $20 billion in Provider Relief Funds

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced an additional $20 billion in CARES Act Provider Relief Funds to assist those who have suffered revenue losses and increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS lists the following providers as eligible for this latest round of funding:

• Providers who previously received, rejected or accepted a General Distribution Provider Relief Fund payment. Providers that have already received payments of approximately 2% of annual revenue from patient care may submit more information to become eligible for an additional payment.
• Behavioral Health providers, including those that previously received funding and new providers.
• Health care providers that began practicing January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020. This includes Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, assisted living facilities and behavioral health providers.

Applications for the funds are open through November 6, 2020. Step-by-step application instructions are available on the HHS website.

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Craft night with colleagues – November 12

WisMed members are invited to join the Wisconsin Medical Society for a free virtual craft night on Thursday, November 12! Please complete the registration form linked below to receive a complimentary etched coaster craft kit, mailed directly to you in collaboration with Revel Madison!

Here’s how it works:

• Register and choose your coaster design here.
• Revel will mail you a craft kit complete with everything you’ll need to complete the custom coasters!
• You will receive a confirmation email after registering that includes the Zoom meeting information for November 12.
• Hold on to the kit and join us live on November 12, 2020 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. to complete the craft together virtually!
• Each etched coaster kit includes the following:
  • Step-by-step project instructions
  • 4 blank slate coasters
  • 4 stencils
  • Etching cream & supplies
  • *Additionally, you will need running water and paper towels.

This event is limited to the first 30 registrants. Registration closes October 27 at 4:00 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

Thanks to Exact Sciences for sponsoring this member exclusive event! Please contact our Membership Specialist Jess with any questions.

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