The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) has been connecting with physicians working to improve health access. Most recently we visited Eau Claire and Rice Lake, two communities in beautiful Western Wisconsin. Both communities are exceedingly warm and welcoming. Eau Claire is known for its great embrace of public art and music. Farther north, Rice Lake is full of natural beauty with recreation areas, hiking trails, and many historical sites.
Through the Foundation’s annual Physician County Survey, physicians recommend community organizations that are improving health in Wisconsin. The Foundation is taking time to visit those communities, physicians, and organizations. Organizations like the Chippewa Valley Free and Charitable Clinic (CVFCC). With the closures of Hospital Sisters Health System Sacred Heart Hospital and Prevea Health, Western Wisconsin saw a loss of approximately 1,400 health professionals in the region. That loss has far-reaching impacts. CVFCC had already faced a substantial volunteer shortage as a result of the pandemic, with many of the retired physicians and nurses choosing not to return. The closures and loss of a residency program in the area greatly exasperated that shortage. In addition, the clinic is looking for ways to make up for the loss of in-kind resources like printing and supplies that the now closed systems previously provided.
The clinic sees more than 3,200 patient visits a year, providing vaccinations, wellness programs, women’s health care, screenings, ophthalmology, and optometry, in addition to regular clinic visits. They serve patients from a staggering eight county range who fall through the cracks because they don’t have employer-provided insurance and don’t have BadgerCare. While some are unhoused, the vast majority of patients are the working poor, often doing seasonal work and holding two to three jobs at the same time.
While visiting the clinic, Foundation staff had a chance to meet with retiring Executive Director Maribeth Woodford, incoming Executive Director, Wendy Andre, and Volunteer Medical Director, Lori Whitis, MD. It was clear all are passionate about the mission to provide quality health care and advocacy for those who have no reasonable health care alternative. Eau Claire physician and Foundation President, Jose Ortiz, MD, added “The Chippewa Valley Free Clinic is a vital resource providing quality health care and advocacy to our community. Its mission is in direct alignment with that of the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation, to advance the health of Wisconsin by supporting medical education and health initiatives to increase health equity and access.” He continues, “Given the current challenges facing health care, it is vital that the clinic continue to obtain support from organizations like the Foundation.”
In Rice Lake, Foundation staff had the chance to visit members of the Barron, Washburn, Burnett County Medical Society where members were interested in setting up a scholarship to provide support to medical students from their communities. In addition, they voiced concerns about physician shortages in the area that require patients to go as far as Eau Claire, the Twin Cities, or to Madison to receive care, including trauma, surgery, and obstetric care.
In addition to the shortages, there is concern about how to get physicians more engaged to support each other and to look at issues that are hinderances to practice. We discussed the results of last year’s survey, which shows that physicians in the area report the biggest workforce issues are provider shortages and burnout and the most significant population health issues are mental health, access to healthy food, and access to care. Those same concerns were reflected in the survey results for District 7, the district where both Rice Lake and Eau Claire are located. More broadly in District 7 there were also concerns about rising levels of chronic disease and on workforce, a general sense that profits and losses have taken priority over patient care in some instances. In Rice Lake, as in Eau Claire, there is a strong desire to recruit physicians and other health professionals to support the Rice Lake Area Free Clinic.
Listening to physicians about what matters most in your work and communities is a top priority for the Foundation and Wisconsin Medical Society (Society). We believe a strong, supported physician workforce leads to improved health equity and access in Wisconsin and a healthier Wisconsin for all. Our annual Physician Survey is one way we connect with physicians, but it’s also important to meet with physicians where you live and work to listen and to better understand your community, your strengths, and your challenges. Over the summer, we would like to come to your community to do just that. Together, the Foundation, Society, WisMed PAC, WisMed Financial, and WisMed Assure are your team, and we are ready to act on what matters most in your community.
The Foundation will use information gathered from the listening sessions to home in on ways to support local organizations, like free and charitable clinics, that are increasing health equity and access and looking for ways to build and support our physician and health workforce. Please consider volunteering with your local free and charitable clinic. If you would like to participate in an in-person listening session in your community, please reach out to Elizabeth Ringle at [email protected] and please complete the Foundation’s Physician Survey and encourage your colleagues to as well.
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