Wisconsin’s Doctor Day Demonstrates Again the Positive Outcome of Physician Anesthesiologists’ Initiative

On March 11, 2015, the 2^nd annual Doctor Day took place in Wisconsin’s state capitol, Madison. “Doctor Day grew out of WSA Day, which started about five years ago,” according to Wisconsin's ASA District Director, Jay Mesrobian, MD. The current Doctor Day is a day long session involving more than fifteen physician organizations, including the Wisconsin Medical Society. After presentations from state legislative leaders and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R), physician participants fanned out, wearing their white coats, into the State House and in teams discussed key issues with legislators. The top of this year’s list of issues was the Wisconsin Nursing Association's proposed legislation and administrative rule effort to eliminate the state's existing collaborative requirement for advance practice nurses. Other issues included narcotic abuse and the formation of the regional multi-state licensing compact.

Per Dr. Mesrobian, “having 275 physicians, in white coats, speak against this proposal sent a strong message to state legislators. Furthermore, we are optimistic that this kind of collaboration between physician specialties will be a winning strategy.”

Twenty-one members of the Wisconsin Society of Anesthesiologists (WSA) participated in Doctor Day 2015 including current and past WSA presidents Rose Campise Luther, MD and Lois Connolly, MD. Please contact WSA lobbyist, Eric Jensen, with any questions concerning Doctor Day 2015.