News

Medigram | October 8, 2020

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, 

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 mark.ziety@wismedfinancial.org or 608.442.3750. 

Wisconsin Medical Society | October 6, 2020

“What’s happening in our state right now with COVID-19 cases is alarming. Record numbers of hospitalizations means many of our hospitals are nearing overall capacity – and that threatens everyone’s access to health care when they might need it the most. It’s also affecting our physicians and others in the health care workforce. Our state’s doctors, nurses and other important health care personnel have been fighting against this pandemic tirelessly for the last seven months – we can’t let them be overwhelmed."

Read more.

Wisconsin Medical Society | September 28, 2020

As Governor Tony Evers declared a new public health emergency and issued a new face covering mandate on September 22 due to increases in the state’s COVID-19 case rate, the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) took the opportunity to remind the public how they can take proactive measures to help reduce the spread of the virus, regardless of any government action related to the pandemic.

In a media statement sent statewide the afternoon of the Governor’s announcement, Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, MBA, emphasized how mask wearing, physical distancing and regular hand washing are proven effective strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. “If we all agree to take simple steps, we can reduce the spread of the pandemic and protect our state’s physical and economic health,” Dr. Chumbley said in the statement. “We strongly urge everyone to wear masks, maintain social distancing and continue to wash hands often and thoroughly,” Dr. Chumbley said. The statement also emphasized that with seasonal influenza season looming, getting a flu vaccination is another action individuals can take that helps protect themselves and the public.

The statement is the latest in a series of actions the Society has taken to help remind the public of their important role in helping stem community spread, including three public service announcements that have been aired on statewide television and on the Society’s various social media channels.

Contact Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.

Wisconsin Health News - September 22, 2020

Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday declared a new public health emergency in response to rising cases of COVID-19 among young people, issuing a new indoor face coverings mandate that goes through Nov. 21.

It's the third COVID-19-related public health emergency he’s declared. The current public health emergency, declared in July and expiring Sept. 28, remains in effect.

Evers said in a statement that they saw a slow down in new COVID-19 cases last month as a result of the mandate, but the reopening of college campuses has caused cases to surge. 

Under the order, Wisconsinites five and older have to wear a face mask when indoors or in an enclosed space with anyone outside their household.

“We continue to learn more about this virus, but what we do know is that we are facing a new and dangerous phase of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Wisconsin,” Evers said in a statement. “We are seeing an alarming increase in cases across our state, especially on campus. We need folks to start taking this seriously, and young people especially—please stay home as much as you are able, skip heading to the bars, and wear a mask whenever you go out.” 

Evers’ second order faces a challenge from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which says that the governor can’t declare multiple public health emergencies for the same crisis. Evers’ first public health emergency related to COVID-19 ran from March 12 through May 11. 

"Gov. Evers and his team believe the presence of COVID-19 supersedes the rule of law and our state constitution," WILL President Rick Esenberg said in a Tuesday statement. "They are wrong. Letting this gross abuse of power stand is not an option."

Spokespeople for Republican legislative leaders, who have previously said local governments should be taking measures to fight COVID-19 rather than the state, did not immediately return requests for comment Tuesday morning. 

Wisconsin Medical Society | August 2020

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) is very pleased to announce that effective immediately Society Members will receive a 5% discount on all PPE orders! For orders placed without a Society Membership ID, the Society will receive in-kind product that the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation will distribute to Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers.

To receive the 5% discount:

• Visit our website 
• In the Coupon Code section, enter WMS and your Member ID
• For your Member ID, please contact the Society at 800.762.8975 or membership@wismed.org or log in to the Society's website and click 'my account' 

If you are not a member of the Society and would like to join and qualify for the discount, please contact membership@wismed.org or 800.762.8975.

Please continue to order PPE via our website for continued updates on what the Wisconsin Medical Society offers. The Society is not profiting from these sales.

Thank you for all that you do for the people of Wisconsin!

Wisconsin Medical Society | August 2020

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) and the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) have partnered to produce a public service announcement (PSA) campaign, “Stay healthy, Wisconsin,” with the primary goal of getting Wisconsinites who have delayed care to see their health care team. The Society and WNA produced digital, print and—with the help of WMSN FOX 47 News, Madison—video announcements.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin clinics and hospitals saw a dramatic decrease in patient visits, which consequently, created an increase in patients missing routine wellness visits, preventive screenings and visits to monitor chronic conditions. 

Click here to view the PSA.

Wisconsin Medical Society | August 13, 2020

The Society will host an informational meeting on the proposed constitutional amendment. Open to all members, this meeting will include pre-recorded video presentations from the leadership of state medical societies who have passed similar amendments including Colorado, New Mexico and Minnesota. They share their experiences with governance before and after the House of Delegates. This meeting also will include the opportunity for an open question and answer session.

There are two time options for the meeting on August 19 from 5:00 – 5:50 p.m. and from 6:00 – 6:50 p.m. Click here to register.

Please reach out to Noreen Krueger with any questions.

Wisconsin Health News | July 30, 2020

Gov. Tony Evers issued an emergency order on Thursday mandating that Wisconsinites wear masks when indoors starting Saturday.

Evers issued the order by declaring a public health emergency. It’s the second public health emergency he’s declared during the pandemic.

Under the order, which expires Sept. 28, Wisconsinites over the age of 5 will have to wear a face covering when indoors or in an enclosed space if they’re around people who aren’t members of their household or living unit. The order doesn’t apply to private residences.

Face coverings will be recommended when outdoors.

Evers said that local health departments “have been doing a heck of a job” responding to the pandemic, but there needs to be a statewide approach to fighting the virus.

“While I know emotions are high when it comes to wearing face coverings in public, my job as governor is to put people first and to do what’s best for the people of our state, so that’s what I am going to do,” Evers said.

View full article here.

As states reopen, many small and medium-sized healthcare and other businesses are struggling to sift through all the evolving guidance to create comprehensive, user-friendly return-to-work plans. Yet, having a thoughtful plan in place is critical to controlling the spread of COVID-19 as you increase activity in your workplace and mitigating liability should employee complaints arise.

Badger Bay is pleased to announce that we have partnered with premier law firm Husch Blackwell LLP to offer members a special discount on an easy, quick, and affordable tool that your members can use to create customized Return-to-Work policies. Husch Blackwell’s new Return-to-Work Policy Generator enables businesses of all sizes to quickly create return-to-work plans, customized to their operations, without starting from scratch. Built-in are Husch Blackwell’s knowledge of health, safety and employment issues, and extensive experience helping clients navigate the COVID-19 crisis.

The tool involves a 15-minute secure online questionnaire to learn about each company’s operations and policy needs. It generates a customized policy, which an attorney works to finalize directly with the company through an included consultation. Most policies are ready within a few business days.

Through the tool, Husch Blackwell offers each policy for a flat-fee price quoted up-front based on the complexity of each company’s operations and needs. Members of your associations can enter a referral code (“BadgerBay”) while completing the questionnaire to obtain an additional 10% discount.

To learn more, see a demo, and try the tool, visit the Return-to-Work Policy Generator here.

What does it involve?

1. Your member fills out a quick online questionnaire (approx. 15 minutes)
2. After determining the scope of the policy, the company will receive a low, flat price (starting at $1,500)
3. An attorney works with the company to finalize a customized draft

This is great for lots of companies…

• Especially small, mid-sized, and regional firms (DIY is overwhelming!)
• Even those with essential workers (non-essential workers may be returning to work)
• Especially those in multiple states (the policy pulls in relevant state requirements)
• Even those that already returned to work (many reopened quickly but still need a policy)

What’s special here?

• Quick and easy guided online questionnaire
• State-specific and federal guidance
• Industry-specific provisions where applicable
• Customized to each company’s operations/workplaces
• Optional forms and links to CDC/OSHA posters
• Upfront pricing with low, flat fee
• Included one-on-one attorney review and client consult
• Saves hours of time and lots of money

GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Masks will soon be required in public spaces around Green Bay.

The city council voted 7-5 on Tuesday to create an ordinance mandating masks inside buildings the public has common access to. Those would include city buildings and many businesses.

Public comment on the proposal lasted almost three hours. The debate touched on the science behind masks, civil liberties, and enforcement ability.

Read more.

(by Katrina Nickell, FOX 11 News)