Latest News

WMJ article outlines health system’s mandatory influenza vaccine policy for employees

Madison, Wis. (May 2, 2012) — A large integrated health care system in eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois increased its influenza vaccination rate to 97.7 percent after adopting a condition-of-employment policy in 2011, according to an article in the current issue of WMJ (vol. 111, no. 2). The policy requires all employees with and without direct patient contact, contracted providers, students and volunteers to receive an annual influenza vaccination or an approved exemption by December 31 each year.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Tosha B. Wetterneck, MD, MS, FACP, inaugurated as Society president

Madison, Wis. (April 21, 2012) — Tosha B. Wetterneck, MD, MS, FACP, of Madison was inaugurated as the 161st President of the Wisconsin Medical Society during the Society’s Annual Meeting at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on April 20. The president of the Wisconsin Medical Society serves a one-year term. Doctor Wetterneck succeeds George M. Lange, MD, FACP, of River Hills.

In her inaugural speech, Dr. Wetterneck focused on helping physicians practice good medicine. "Our first obligation as physicians is to the individual patient – to keep sacred the physician-patient relationship, to work with our patients on an individual level to help them make decisions about their own health care without regard to the costs of care," she said. "If there is one thing that all physicians agree upon, it is the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship and the need to protect this relationship from government or regulatory interference."

Click here to read the entire press release.

Elm Grove physician chosen as Society president-elect

Madison, Wis. (April 21, 2012) — Timothy G. McAvoy, MD, of Elm Grove was elected president-elect of the Wisconsin Medical Society during the Society’s Annual Meeting at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center April 20-21.

Doctor McAvoy is an internal medicine physician in private practice in Waukesha. He has served on the staff at Waukesha Memorial Hospital since 1983 and is a member of the hospital’s Ethics Committee. He also serves as medical director for Brookfield Rehabilitation and Specialty Care and Sunny Hill Rehabilitation Center.

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Drs. Lewandowski, DeFranco receive Society’s Presidential Citation

Madison, Wis. (April 24, 2012) — Thomas Lewandowski, MD, of Appleton Cardiology ThedaCare and Anthony DeFranco, MD, of Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee received the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Presidential Citation Award on April 20 during the Society’s Annual Meeting. Outgoing President George M. Lange, MD, FACP, presented the award to the physicians for their work on SMARTCare, a collaborative effort of the Wisconsin Medical Society, the Wisconsin and Florida Chapters of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and employer and consumer groups.

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Claudia Reardon, MD, receives Young Physician Leadership Award

Madison, Wis. (April 24, 2012) — The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation honored Claudia Reardon, MD, with the Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, Young Physician Leadership Award on April 20. An associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Dr. Reardon received the award during the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Annual Meeting at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

The Viste Award is presented annually to a young physician who demonstrates commitment to patients, the medical profession and the community.

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Physicians honored with Citizen of the Year Awards

Madison, Wis. (April 24, 2012) — Nine physicians were honored with Physician Citizen of the Year Awards April 20 during the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Annual Meeting at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The Physician Citizen of the Year Award recognizes and encourages Wisconsin physicians who volunteer their time and talents through civic and cultural activities, helping to improve the health and well-being of their communities.

The following physicians were honored (click on their names for additional information):

• A. John Capelli, MD, an internal medicine physician with Aurora Medical Group in Kenosha was honored for his community leadership, his energetic fundraising and the model way he balances life and service to his patients, community and family.
• Haakon P. Carlson, MD, of Prairie du Sac established the Good Neighbor Clinic of Sauk Prairie by coordinating local physicians, volunteers, pharmacies and dentists to treat those who do not have access to health care.
• Richard T. Crane, MD, FACS, an otolaryngologist at Western Wisconsin Ear Nose and Throat Center in Eau Claire, was honored for a 25-year career that includes 12 years serving as a mentor and instructor to young physicians, teaching about health issues at local schools and providing free care and medications to patients in need at his own clinic and at the Eau Claire Free Clinic.
• William J. Jarvis, MD, of Wausau, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Bone & Joint Clinic, Wausau, was recognized for making medical treatment available to injured athletes at various high school sporting events.
• Kris Lahren, MD, of Wausau, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Aspirus, was honored for advocating on behalf of organ recipients and donors as a member of the Tissue and Organ Donation Committee and for the medical care he provides at the St. Vincent de Paul Free Clinic in Merrill.
• Mark Mirick, MD, of Wausau, an emergency medicine physician at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, was recognized for his efforts coordinating the Emergency Room Conference, training new physicians, serving as medical director at Hatley Emergency Medical Service and the Wausau Fire Department, and assisting with other volunteer activities.
• Bruce Rhoades, MD, of Chippewa Falls provides free counseling for patients of the Open Door Clinic and serves on the Chippewa County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Adult Recovery Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors for The Arc Eau Claire.
• Robert Rohloff, MD, of New Berlin was honored for his commitment to developing and instituting a medical home model at Children’s Medical Group Southwest Pediatrics and inspiring his team to apply for and receive grants to fund coordination projects for patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to create a newsletter resource for families.
• Blaise Vitale, MD, a primary care physician at the Burnett Medical Center in Grantsburg, was honored for his service as medical director for the Burnett County Health Department and as a volunteer at Burnett Medical Center health fairs and promotions.

New law infringes on patient-physician relationship

Madison, Wis. (April 6, 2012) – The Wisconsin Medical Society is extremely disappointed that Gov. Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 306 (SB 306) into law. By legislatively mandating medical protocols, SB 306 directly infringes on the special and private relationship between the patient and physician.

The bill further subjects the physician to prosecution for a Class I felony for allegedly failing to follow these protocols. The Society will continue to strongly oppose efforts to legislate what occurs in the examining room between the physician and patient.

The Society, which represents more than 12,000 physicians in Wisconsin, actively supports physicians in their use of appropriate standards of care in their shared medical decision making with patients.

Concussion bill passage
a victory for parents, athletes, coaches

Madison, Wis. (March 13, 2012) – The following statement from Wisconsin Medical Society President George M. Lange, MD, FACP, references the State Senate’s passage of Assembly Bill 259, which establishes guidelines and standards of care for addressing the growing epidemic of concussions in youth sports.

“The State Senate took a major positive step today in passing Assembly Bill 259. The bill not only ensures that youth athletes will receive special attention if a concussion is suspected, but it also will provide vital concussion-related education to coaches, parents and athletes. The more we learn about concussions and how athletes are affected by them, the more physicians want to help ensure our young patients receive the best chance to fully recover from suspected head injuries.”

“We urge Gov. Walker to sign the bill when it reaches his desk and offer our deep gratitude to Sen. Alberta Darling and Rep. Jason Fields for their magnificent work at shepherding the bill through the legislative process.”

Journal article outlines
current state of concussion medicine

Madison, Wis. (March 7, 2012) – High profile cases involving athletes, battlefield injuries and new research have brought concussion to the forefront for medical professionals and the general public, according to a review article in the current issue of WMJ (vol. 111, no. 1). The article provides physicians with a review of the current state of concussion medicine and includes recommendations for management and strategies to minimize the risk of complications.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Wisconsin Medical Society names Abrams new CEO

Madison, Wis. (February 2, 2012) – The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) has named William “Rick” Abrams as its new chief executive officer and executive vice president. Abrams, who will join the organization in early April, has served as executive vice president/executive director of the Medical Society of the State of New York since 2004.

Click here to read the entire press release.