Wisconsin Medical Journal
107 #7
107 #7
Medigram - April 17, 2008
TOP STORY
Steven Bergin, MD, inaugurated Society 155th president
Steven Bergin, MD, of Stevens Point, was inaugurated the 155th president of the Wisconsin Medical Society Friday, April 11 during the Society’s Annual Meeting at Madison’s Monona Terrace. He succeeds Clarence Chou, MD, of Milwaukee.In his inaugural speech, Dr. Bergin urged his colleagues to get involved politically to make health insurance available for everybody.
“We must shed our professional cocoon and awaken from our political hibernation,” said Dr. Bergin, an OB/GYN. “We need to mount a vigorous sustained grass roots campaign engaging and dialoguing with local, state and national legislative representatives. We should not off-handedly dismiss proposals just because they depart from the status quo.”
Doctor Bergin’s presidential theme focuses on ways to improve health care quality, controlling costs and increasing access to healthcare. He reminded his colleagues that patients are partners in this effort, and that doctors need to challenge them to adopt healthier lifestyles. And that’s a message Bergin also wants to deliver to those companies who pay for health care. “We need to convince insurance companies it is prevention-prevention-prevention.”
Doctor Bergin cited evidence that indicates the United States spends more per capita on health care than any other nation in the world, yet came in last in terms of preventable death rates.
Finally, he challenged fellow physicians to re-examine their own approach to patient care. “We must amplify our evidence-based care approach to managing disease and expand our best practice solutions,” he said.
In addition to Dr. Begin, Society officers and directors and AMA delegates were also elected at the Annual Meeting. For a listing, click here.
NEWS BRIEFS
Two physicians named 2008 Physician Citizens of the Year
The Wisconsin Medical Society has named James Allen, MD, of Madison, and Scott Walker, MD, of Boscobel, the Society’s 2008 Physician Citizens of the Year. Both physicians were honored during the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Annual Meeting April 11 in Madison.Doctor Allen, a retired ophthalmologist, was the driving force behind changing federal law so disabled veterans who lost their vision in one eye because of their military service may get enhanced benefits should they lose vision later in the other eye.
Doctor Walker, who practices family medicine, allergy and obstetrics, established and serves as medical director of a free clinic.
The Physician Citizen of the Year Award is bestowed upon physicians who demonstrate a commitment to his or her community through volunteer or charitable activities.
Robert Phillips, MD, receives Society’s highest honor
Society member Robert Phillips, MD, of Marshfield, received the Wisconsin Medical Society’s highest honor—the Director’s Award –during the Society’s Annual Meeting last week.Doctor Phillips was recognized as being a true leader in medicine, having served as chair of the Society’s Board of Directors and as a member of numerous committees and task forces. Notably, he chaired the Society’s 1993 Health Reform Taskforce, which developed a plan for providing every citizen in Wisconsin with affordable, high-quality health care.
“The challenges of health system reform remain significant as we strive to achieve universal health care coverage in Wisconsin,” said Thomas Luetzow, MD, outgoing Chair of the Society’s Board of Directors. “But the principles Doctor Phillips and his colleagues established remain intact and guide our organization as we pursue this vision.”
Doctor Luetzow also noted that Dr. Phillips’ contributions to medicine and health policy continue today in his role as Government Relations Director for Marshfield Clinic.
“Because so many legislative decisions are being made today that impact the future of our profession and the access of care for our patients, there never has been a more important time for our policy leaders to have the benefit of working with a physician as well-versed in health policy as Doctor Phillips,” said Dr. Luetzow.
The Director’s Award was established in 1928 to recognize those who have served the art and science of medicine, their fellow physicians and the public with distinction.
Thomas Meyer, MD, receives Presidential Citation Award
Thomas C. Meyer, MD, received the Presidential Citation Award during the Society’s Annual Meeting from outgoing President Clarence Chou, MD, who called Dr. Meyer’s contributions to medicine and public health “indisputable.”“Instead of scaling back on his commitments to take full advantage of his retirement, Dr. Meyer became medical editor of the Wisconsin Medical Journal, a role to which he devoted countless hours for more than a decade,” said Dr. Chou, during the presentation. “At a time when all but a handful of state medical societies eliminated their peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Meyer not only guided ours into a reputable scientific journal that educates Wisconsin physicians about Wisconsin medicine, but also ensured its place as a venue for students and residents interested in research and scientific publishing.”
Before retirement, Dr. Meyer was a pediatric cardiologist who was also a professor of pediatrics and continuing medical education at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He also served as Medical Director of St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and has remained active in medical education since retiring in 1995.
The Society President presents the Presidential Citation to the physician or non-physician of his or her choice who has made significant contributions to medicine or public health. The award was established in 1959.
Society presents multiple Meritorious Service Awards
Meritorious Service Awards have been presented to Society members in recognition of their contributions, leadership and service while serving on the Board of Directors or councils of the Board.Click here to see a list of award recipients.
Help for uninsured rolls into Wisconsin
A national bus tour stops in 10 Wisconsin locations April 21-25 to help uninsured residents find free or lower cost prescription medicine. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is a pharmaceutical industry-led effort to link patients with either private or public programs that provide medicine for the uninsured. The bus is staffed with specialists who can quickly determine which programs best fit each particular patient.Click here to see the list of the cities, times and venues of where the PPA bus will stop. For more information on the PPA please visit www.pparx.org. To access the PPA by phone, call 1.888.4PPANOW (1.888.477.2669).
CAPITOL INSIDER
Society calls on Kohl/Feingold to support new Medicare bill
New Society President Steven Bergin, MD, sent Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold this letter today asking support for Senate Bill 2786, which would revise portions of the Medicare physician reimbursement formula that currently penalize rural physicians in particular. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), ranking minority member of the Senate Finance Committee, is the author.If you haven’t yet called Sen. Kohl or Sen. Feingold asking them to support Senator Debbie Stabenow’s S. 2785 (see an earlier issue of Medigram), which rolls back a scheduled 10.6 percent Medicare reimbursement cut, calling about both bills is timely. Contact them through the American Medical Association’s Action site or by calling the AMA hotline at 800.833.6354.
FOUNDATION FOCUS
“It was truly an inspirational evening.”That appeared to be the general consensus of the 420 attendees at the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation’s 2008 Fundraising Event featuring Fran and Kim Peek. Kim, the inspiration for the movie Rain Man, is one of a handful of prodigious savants in the world and with his father has traveled close to 2 million miles sharing their story. Darold Treffert, MD, an internationally recognized expert on Savant Syndrome, joined the Peeks on stage to provide further insight on Kim’s remarkable memory.
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In his introduction of the Peeks, Dr. Treffert explained savant syndrome as a rare condition in which persons with developmental disabilities or other Central Nervous System disorders have some spectacular islands of genius that stand in stark contrast to their overall limitations. According to Dr. Treffert, Kim is “the Mount Everest of memory,” which he demonstrated by answering many questions from guests ranging from the day of the week they were born to World War II history, music and sports.
While final proceeds from the event have not all been calculated, Foundation Executive Director Renee Reback noted that she is confident that the dinner, silent auction and raffle will come close to, or possibly exceed the goal of $120,000.
To view more pictures from the event, click here.
Foundation award recipients honored during Society’s Annual Meeting
Four individuals were honored by the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation during the Society’s Annual Meeting last week in Madison.Karen Meyer, MD, of Fond du Lac, was recognized for her outstanding service to the profession and her community. Doctor Meyer received the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation’s second Young Physician Leadership Award, established in memory of the late Kenneth Viste, Jr., MD, of Oshkosh. Doctor Viste’s son, Doran Viste, made the presentation.
Foundation President Ayaz Samadani presented the three remaining awards to medical students Jason Jagodzinski, Derrick Siebert and Kyle Swanson.
Jagodzinski, a student at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, is the Foundation’s fourth recipient of the Presidential Scholar Award. This award is presented to a medical student entering his or her fourth year, who has exemplified the attributes, skills and desire to become a leader in the medical profession in Wisconsin. The award includes a $3,000 scholarship.
Siebert and Swanson received the 2008 Houghton Awards. Recipients of this award, which is intended to honor medical students who show promise of becoming “complete physicians,” are nominated by the deans of the two medical schools. In addition to an engraved award, the recipients receive $1,000 to both applaud their work and to encourage their future excellence and leadership. Siebert is a student at the Medical College of Wisconsin; Swanson is a student at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
More information about these Foundation award recipients will soon be available on the Society’s Web site.
QUALITY CORNER
States’ roles in shaping high performance health systems
States shape the health system in many ways, influencing key components such as insurance coverage, quality of care, and information and provider infrastructures. This report presents findings from the State Health Policies Aimed at Promoting Excellent Systems project, undertaken by the National Academy for State Health Policy, with support from The Commonwealth Fund. After conducting surveys of multiple agencies in states across the country, as well as a review of related literature, this study found that states are pursuing system improvements across the full spectrum of their authority, including health care purchasing, regulation of providers, reporting of performance data, integration of public health with health care approaches, and improving the availability and affordability of health insurance. Despite this activity, this study finds room for states to do much more. Ongoing efforts to track, study and diffuse information on state activities could accelerate adoption of promising policies and practices. To read the report, click here.FAQ
Question:What do I need to be careful of when advertising my practice?
Answer:
Before advertising in the local paper or yellow pages, a physician should consider both the ethical and legal constraints that are imposed on the content of advertisements. Federal and state laws (Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act and Wis. Stat. sec. 100.18), prevent advertising that is false, deceptive or misleading. A clear example of misleading advertising is found in the Medical Examining Board chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. According to Wis. Admin. Code sec. Med 10.02(2)(w), it is unprofessional conduct to use the term “board certified” or a similar phrase of like meaning in advertising unless the physician is in fact so certified and unless disclosure is made of the complete name of the specialty board which conferred the certificate.
Ethical Opinion E-5.02 of the American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics identifies the key consideration in ethical advertising as whether the advertisement is explicitly and implicitly true and not materially misleading. The opinion states that the public can be deceived by the use of medical terms or illustrations that are difficult to understand. Therefore, physicians are urged to avoid aggressive, high-pressure advertising and publicity that is likely to create unjustified medical expectations or make deceptive claims. E-5.02 suggests that an ad may include: (1) the educational background of physicians; (2) the basis on which fees are determined; (3) available credit or other methods of payment; and (4) any other non-deceptive information. It is important to note, however, if credit conditions are mentioned in the ad, it is illegal to omit any material information with respect to the extension of credit that is necessary to make the ad copy not otherwise false, misleading or deceptive.
For answers to other Frequently Asked Questions regarding legal issues click here (members only).
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