While Doctor Day 2021 has shifted to a virtual format, the May 5^th event promises to offer equally important hot topics and content.

This year’s policy and politics panel will include members of the powerful budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance.  Committee co-chairs Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) and Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) will be joined by their Democrat colleagues Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) and Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point).  

You will hear a first-hand account of important budget topics, and during the middle of budget negotiations. This includes policy related to the Department of Health Services and funding for the Medicaid Program. This is a great opportunity to hear differing views on policy and spending priorities for the 2021-23 Biennial Budget and current legislative session.

Other components of the day will again include policy breakouts, priority issue briefings, a keynote presentation and of course, legislative visits.

Whether you’ve attended many advocacy days in prior years or none at all, be sure to sign up for Doctor Day 2021 and make your voices heard! The unique multi-specialty nature of Wisconsin's Doctor Day offers all physicians across the state from all specialties to come together and advocate for issues affecting their patients, their practices and their specialty.  Learn more and sign up at www.WIDoctorDay.org. 

Waukesha County is preparing to open the community COVID-19 vaccination clinics and are seeking health-minded, dedicated individuals to help staff them. The positions vary and will fluctuate as the guidelines and procedures evolve. Currently they are primarily support positions, but medical roles may be added in the future. Clinics will take place in Waukesha County, and the goal is to have them up and running 7 days per week.

If you are interested in assisting, please fully complete the fillable questionnaire below and send it to Karen Straw, at kstraw@waukeshacounty.gov AND Kara Moore, at kamoore@waukeshacounty.gov. At this time we did not include medical related positions on the attached questionnaire however we may include it in the future. Should you hold a current medical license to administer vaccines, please note that on the questionnaire.  We will connect with all interested volunteers to provide more information as we have it available. Volunteers who are selected to assist will be fully vaccinated by Waukesha County prior to working at the vaccine clinics- we are hoping to begin this process within the next week.

HHS Volunteer Application
HHS Volunteer Vaccinator Questionnaire 

Wisconsin Medical Society | Medigram

With the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) evolving its policymaking process to a year-round schedule, the Society is seeking a special group of members to help review policy proposals that are submitted for discussion and eventual action by the Board of Directors. This group will include Society members from across the state to ensure widespread representation. The function is similar to the role Reference Committees had in the former House of Delegates structure: listening to testimony on policy proposals and making recommendations for final action to the ultimate deciding body.

The committee will include members from all eight Society districts and the young physician, resident physician and medical student sections. They will meet as needed leading up to each Society Board of Directors meeting. If you are interested in serving on this policy-reviewing committee, please fill out this form.

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

Wisconsin Medical Society | Medigram

The Physician Wellness Advisory Committee held its first meeting in December. The purpose of this committee is to design and establish the framework and operability of a Physician Wellness Program to offer help and respite when needed for the physicians of Wisconsin. The intent is to initiate the program in a short period of time and provide the framework for it to grow and be more robust in the future. Special thanks to Mary Jo Capodice, DO, MPH, Jacqueline Landess, MD, Erica Larson, DO, and Michael Miller, MD, for giving their time and providing recommendations as the Wisconsin Medical Society begins this crucial journey towards providing this valuable service to the physicians of Wisconsin.

The committee is currently reviewing options that can be provided in the immediate future. A model that has been adopted in multiple states is being strongly considered. This proposed model is similar to an Employee Assistance Program, where a limited number of confidential counseling/coaching services are provided without the need to go through one’s employer or health insurance. The option to pilot the program in specific counties is also under consideration. 

Updates on the Committee’s progress will continue to be shared. Please reach out to Jim Lorence with any questions or comments. 

The Minnesota Medical Association’s (MMA) 5th annual physician well-being conference will be held virtually on January 28, 2021. As a promotional sponsor for this event, Wisconsin Medical Society members can access this conference at the discounted MMA member price of $195 with the code JOYMEDPARTNER.

Bryan Sexton, PhD, an associate professor at Duke University and director of the Duke Center for Healthcare Safety & Quality will kick off the conference with his keynote presentation Bite Size Coping During Times of Uncertainty.

For additional information including a full agenda and registration, click here. 

COVID-19 doesn't take a break for the holidays, and neither can we. Wisconsinites are getting sick and dying, and we ALL need to do our part to help #STOPtheCOVIDspread. Step up, for your loved ones and for the vulnerable residents in your community.

Click here to watch the "Wisconsin Is Losing" PSA.

Every holiday season, our health care workers sacrifice time with their families, working to keep you and your loved ones safe. This year more than ever, our #HealthcareHeroes need YOU to step up and help them #STOPtheCOVIDspread.

Click here to watch the "Wisconsin, We Need You to Step Up" PSA.

We're all sick of COVID-19, but with the holiday season upon us, your loved ones are counting on you to take preventative measures seriously to #STOPtheCOVIDspread and keep them safe. Click hereto see what you can do in this urgent message from Wisconsin's top doctors.

With the holiday season upon us, COVID-19 is spreading uncontrollably throughout Wisconsin. Your loved ones need you to take preventative measures seriously to #STOPtheCOVIDspread , keep them safe, and ensure that you have many more holidays together.

Click here for more information!

Wisconsin Medical Society | Medigram

Doctor Day, the state’s premier event for physician advocacy, is set for May 5, 2021. Preparations are underway to ensure the event can be held that day either virtually or in-person – so be sure to save the date! As the state looks forward to finding a way through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 8th annual Doctor Day could be the most important ever. Elected officials and policymakers always benefit from physicians sharing their expertise; that knowledge will be needed even more in spring 2021.

One of the most popular aspects of Doctor Day is meeting with Capitol legislators and staff, and those important interactions will be on the agenda as well – either virtually or in-person depending on the COVID-19 situation at the time. Of those attending last year’s Doctor Day, 99 percent said they would “highly recommend” the event to their colleagues.

Please save the date and register today at widoctorday.org. Contact Heidi Green for more information.