The Wisconsin Medical Society’s (Society) COVID-19 Task Force recommends that Wisconsin physicians review a COVID-19 Health Alert on antigen testing issued today, September 24, by the state’s Department of Health Services’ (DHS) Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
Calling this testing an “important and evolving topic,” DHS Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH, provides important information regarding various aspects of this type of testing, including considerations for using antigen tests in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic patients, the characteristics of the antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 currently available and a list of antigen tests currently authorized for use in the U.S.
The Society’s COVID-19 Task Force continues to meet biweekly as Wisconsin battles the pandemic, and regularly updates relevant information on the Society’s COVID-19 Resources webpage.
Contact Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, MBA with any questions for the COVID-19 Task Force.
Many physician members of the state’s Medical Examining Board (MEB) raised concerns at its monthly meeting on September 16 over a potential Board of Nursing (BON) proposal that would repeal a requirement that Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers (APNP) work in collaboration with at least one physician or dentist. While the MEB does not have jurisdiction over how nurses are regulated, numerous MEB members were concerned that such a proposal would have negative impacts on Wisconsin’s high-quality health care system.
The MEB’s concerns rose from a BON meeting on Sept. 10, which included initialization of the process used to change the administrative code: preparing a proposed “Scope Statement” laying out the desired change. The specific scope statement proposal, which requires approval from the Governor before it can be developed further, was included in yesterday’s MEB agenda for discussion.
State MEB administrative staff indicated that the BON may be withdrawing or further modify the scope statement and said a BON subcommittee will be discussing the issue Sept. 18. The Society will attend that subcommittee meeting and has already been in contact with other physician-centric advocacy organizations to ensure all are aware of the possible attempt to alter the collaboration requirement.
In other action, the MEB unanimously approved its own scope statement for a regulatory update that would extend the current requirement for physicians holding a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration number to complete controlled substance education as part of the 30 hour biennial license requirement.
That statement will now be sent to the Governor for review; the Board will further develop the rule following the Governor’s likely approval.
Contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.
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.
Submit your breakthrough research to the best platform for getting your work noticed by your neurology peers from around the globe—the 2021 AAN Annual Meeting, set for April 17 through 22.
Click here for Additional Information & to Submit!
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.
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:
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!
Medical Residents are invited to a virtual WisMed Meet Up! This 2000’s Pop Culture Trivia Night is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Wisconsin Medical Society member-residents across the state from the comfort of your home.
Date: Thursday, September 17 Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.Register here.
The Society will create trivia teams, or you are welcome to create a team with your colleagues! Please email Jess with team names (up to four people per team).
The winning team will be awarded gift cards provided by WisMed Assure! Thank you to WisMed Assure for sponsoring this event.
Contact Jess, our Membership Specialist, at jessica.schreiter@wismed.org with any questions.
Doctor Day is May 5, 2021
Wisconsin’s Doctor Day brings together physicians from every specialty and practice environment to meet with their legislators and advocate on health care issues affecting healthcare. The multi-specialty nature of Doctor Day makes it among the most unique advocacy events for physicians in the country.
Physicians and medical students at all stages of their careers will join together in Madison to take part in policy breakout sessions, hear keynote presentations and participate in a briefing on the day's priority issues. Attendees will then participate in group visits with legislators and legislative staff at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The day will conclude with a Doctor Day reception where you’ll have the chance to connect socially with your friends and peers.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or brand new to the legislative process, attending Doctor Day will provide you advocacy tools and skills to make your voices heard. Sign up today and join colleagues from all across Wisconsin at the Capitol on May 5th.
The four-day event will cover a wide range of neurology subspecialties including epilepsy, movement disorders, stroke, neuro-oncology and headache. The complete scientific program of speakers and lecture topics can be found on our website here. The Annual Meeting provides physicians the opportunity to earn up to 22.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits through case-based lectures.
Additionally, three Self-Assessment exams in the areas of sleep, neuromuscular and headache as well as a Performance-in-Practice (PIP) have been approved by the American Board of Psychiatry as required elements for Part II and IV Maintenance of Certification. Each Self-Assessment exam is approved for 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. The Performance-in-Practice exercise in mild cognitive impairment is approved for 20.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.
Pre-registration is now open at SCNSociety.com/annual-meeting. Pre-registration guarantees the following benefits:
July 22, 2020
The Wisconsin Neurological Society joined a coalition of medical societies in Wisconsin that created an open letter to the people of Wisconsin on the importance of wearing masks and social distancing to help curb further spread of COVID-19.
Read the full letter here.
563 Carter Court, Suite B, Kimberly, WI 54136 Phone: 920-560-5622 | Fax: 920-882-3655 Email WNS@badgerbay.co
