Welcome Cynthia Hart, MD, FAAFP, as Wisconsin Medical Society President

The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) is pleased to welcome Cynthia Hart, MD, FAAFP, as president. Dr. Hart was inaugurated at our annual event in April, and you can read her speech here. Dr. Hart shared a bit about leadership and participating in WisMed.

Why did you want to be WisMed President?

This appears to be a deceptively simple question. Why would anyone want to take on this position? Over the years serving on various committees and the Board of Directors as well as delving more into advocating at Doctor Day, I have come to see the importance of a unifying body, the Medical Society, to be able to speak and advocate for Wisconsin Physicians. I wanted to be a part of the energy working with the executive team and staff to help further advocate for physicians.

What would you like to achieve as WisMed President?

First, I would like to continue to grow membership across the state while emphasizing the common issues that unite physicians across the state:

• physician autonomy (which I believe is the basis of physician wellness)
• the need to hold sacrosanct the physician-patient relationship
• strong advocacy within the state’s legislature

To this end, physicians and patients will benefit. Ideally, let us continue getting multiple players together, such as medical schools ACGME, health care systems, pharmaceutical personnel, insurance and CMS personnel and physicians, to work perhaps via a summit to identify roadblocks and brainstorm on solutions to provide quality health care to all Wisconsinites. Lofty? Yes. Naïve? Perhaps. Impossible? Only if we believe it is impossible. I do not have all the answers, but I firmly believe that collectively, physicians across the state have the knowledge and creativity to overcome roadblocks and reform health care in Wisconsin. There is incredible energy and hopeful advancement when we embrace different perspectives, and we create a new path forward for the betterment of health care in Wisconsin.

Why is WisMed Important to you?

WisMed is my community. It allows physicians to connect with each other, not only for support, but also education, advancement of health care, and advocacy for the betterment and progress of health care for patients in the state. It connects physicians from the local regions to the state. It also acts as a voice for the state at the federal level. Historically, the Wisconsin Medical Society formed a system for further education of its physicians as well as acted as a body to weed out “snake oil” salesmen who called themselves doctors. The historical roots are important to recall (and are archived within the Society) as they continue to act as a conduit to advocate for patients and physicians.

Tell us about one WisMed Initiative you are excited about?

I am excited to visit the County Medical Societies and meet physicians. I look forward to hearing about ideas and initiatives physicians have in their communities. Also, I want to extend the support that WisMed can provide. I am excited to promote WisMed to be the trusted voice in Medicine with supporting physicians in their vocation to provide evidence-based medical care. This results in a healthy Wisconsin and requires a healthy WisMed to achieve.

Do you have advice for future physician leaders?

Yes. Remember that there is a long history of leadership by physicians in Wisconsin and we have compassionate physicians and some of the finest minds and that we need you to step forward with your issues, ideas and passions. We have the support of each other and a fine WisMed staff to further the mission of the Wisconsin Medical Society. Join and put your passion into work on a committee that fits you. We need you.

What are some of your hopes for WisMed’s future?

I would hope that all physicians in the state join and not only take advantage of the benefits provided, but also join in the collective voice of the Wisconsin Medical Society. Together we are a mighty voice. Working together on common and very important issues, I believe we will continue to progress forward.

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Complimentary wellness appointment for WisMed members – May 7-10

During Wellness Week, May 7-10, Wisconsin Medical Society members can explore mental health resources offered through Marvin. Members can register for a free 30-minute well-being check-in with a licensed therapist. There is no obligation, and insurance is not required.

Marvin respects your time - all check-ins are 30 minutes or less. This complimentary, confidential wellness check-in is designed to connect you with a licensed therapist. Discover how to manage stress, work-life balance, relationships and more.

Register today!

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Mini Med School inspires youth to consider careers in health and medicine

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) was proud to be a partner in sponsoring Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) - Milwaukee’s Student National Medical School Association (SNMA) Mini Med School on Thursday, April 25. The program was specifically designed to encourage youth who are from communities underrepresented in medicine to explore health and medical careers. High school students from the greater Milwaukee area participated in the half day program where they were able to tour the anatomy lab and view and discuss different organ systems and compare healthy organs to diseased and unhealthy organs with M1 students.

Participants learned to take vitals and the importance of accuracy. Each student was able to listen to different heart sounds on dummies and take each other’s vitals. Point of care ultrasound was utilized to view each students’ veins and arteries in their arms and discuss how point of care ultrasound is utilized in the medical setting. Students were encouraged to point out the differences and see how the ultrasound could be utilized for placing an IV and distinguishing between bones and how the ultrasound waves show different shadings.

They were also given the opportunity to learn how and when to compress, stuff or apply a tourniquet with the Stop the Bleed program. Priority was to always make sure the scene is safe and then to proceed with treatment. One of the M1 medical students teaching the program who had been an EMT for many years prior to med school acted as a live test patient.

The day also included a Q&A session with physicians with questions like “how much does medical school cost” and “what made you decide to become a doctor.” Medical students were available throughout the event to discuss an average day for a medical student at MCW and share about their undergrad backgrounds. Participants expressed interest in a wide array of medical careers ranging from neurosurgery to phlebotomist. One participant who was interested in phlebotomy said her interest stemmed from witnessing frequent blood draws for family members with diabetes.

The Foundation and MCW-Milwaukee SNMA are committed to supporting programs that build a medical and health workforce that reflects the communities being served, supporting current and future students who are underrepresented in medicine, and addressing the needs of underserved communities. You can support the Foundation’s youth and workforce programs and partnerships through the Brighter Future Club.

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Expect losses to be a good investor

Things were going so well. US stock indexes were up over 20% last year and that rally continued into the first quarter, adding roughly another 10%. Then markets had an about face in April and fell 4%.

Losses are normal

Even years with the strongest returns have losses intra-year. Examining the Russell 3000, a broad US stock market index, each year for the last four decades has had losses at some time during the year. Despite April’s retreat, US stocks are still up for the year. But before you sell everything to try and time a 2024 dip, consider that US stocks already logged some negative returns in early January.

Losses are a good thing

What? That’s a typo, right? If you’re saving today, a big market loss is one of the best things to happen. Remember, buy low and sell high. To buy low, we need a dip or even a crash now and then. That helps accumulate more shares for less money.

Losses are a bad thing

If you’re retired and living off your portfolio, losses can result in selling shares low. We want to avoid that whenever possible. Interest, dividends and stable investments can be the answer. By including these types of investments in the portfolio, you gain flexibility in your income sources so you can choose what to sell and may never need to sell low.

For personalized help with your financial plan, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750. 

WisMed Financial, Inc. is part of the Wisconsin Medical Society

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional before making any financial decisions.

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WisMed gets wins safeguarding healthier air for Wisconsinites with EPA heavy-duty vehicle and power plant rules

In the last month the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced stronger carbon pollution standards that will help rid Wisconsin’s air of harmful pollution from heavy duty vehicles and power plants. These rules set strong limits on carbon pollution from heavy duty vehicles, coal plants and new gas plants starting in 2027 or later. They provide flexible pathways through which vehicle manufacturers and power plants will be required to meet pollution standards achievable through the best available technology. The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) called on the EPA in 2023 to set strong safeguards for carbon pollution from both heavy-duty vehicles and power plants. 

"I applaud the EPA for enacting these essential and overdue safeguards to cut pollution from power plants and heavy-duty vehicles, improve the quality of our air and water, and protect the health of Wisconsinites,” said Joel Charles MD, MPH, WisMed board member and co-founder of Healthy Climate Wisconsin. “This is a major win for all of our patients in Wisconsin. I am so thankful to Wisconsin’s doctors for weighing in on this."

Exposure to pollution from fossil fuels has been shown to cause increased stillbirths, preterm births, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive impairments and premature death. More than 200 leading medical journals have called climate change, caused by carbon pollution, the primary threat to public health in the 21^st century. 

The heavy-duty vehicle rule will apply to larger vehicles such as buses, semis, garbage trucks, cement trucks and large construction vehicles. The rule sets progressively tightening limits on carbon (greenhouse gas) pollution on manufacturers of these vehicles, according to what is achievable through the best available technology. The rule provides flexibility for how manufacturers comply and does not mandate the use of particular technologies, although experts expect this to result in a transition to a mix of both electric vehicles and fuel-switching to hydrogen. “This heavy-duty vehicle rule is essential because large diesel vehicles are disproportionately polluting and harmful to our patients,” according to Dr. Charles. “This is particularly important for the nearly 72 million people who live near major truck routes, a disproportionate number of whom are poor or people of color.” 

The power plant rule applies to coal plants and new gas plants. Starting in 2030 it limits the carbon (greenhouse gas) pollution which these sources can emit, according to what is achievable through carbon capture technology. “Most coal plants are already uneconomic and will likely close early as a result of these rules, being mostly replaced by renewables and efficiency measures, resulting in major improvements in air quality,” Dr. Charles adds. “The data consistently shows that America can meet its growing electricity demand while closing our coal fleet and avoiding a major new build-out of gas through a mix of cheaper, cleaner renewables, efficiency and flexible electricity demand. If we get this right, we will achieve major health improvements while saving Americans a lot of money on energy.” The EPA projects the rule will deliver $120 billion in health benefits and $270 billion in climate benefits, by 2035 saving at least 1,200 lives per year.

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Talent recruitment services - WisMed member benefit

Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) members benefit from a partnership with Titus Talent Strategies.

This member benefit gives your practice or health care organization discounted rates for talent strategy services from the experts at Titus Talent Strategies. Titus Talent Strategies can help health care facilities of any size looking to hire a physician – from large systems looking for multiple physicians to private practices searching for one physician.

In addition, this partnership also provides individual WisMed physician members seeking a position in Wisconsin free access to confidential job search services through Titus Talent Services.

Click here to see the Titus Talent Strategies benefit details for member physicians and here for details for employers seeking to hire. Click here to learn more about Titus Talent Services or here to get started!

If you have questions about this new partnership or any of the benefits of your Wisconsin Medical Society membership, please contact Jim Lorence.

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