Project Summary:
Wisconsin physicians practice within a healthcare environment increasingly shaped by public health trends, policy decisions, and political context. Yet many clinicians are not trained to respond to rapidly changing environments or to recognize how state- and federal-level policies influence patient outcomes, practice operations, and physician workload. Recent statewide data demonstrate concerning public health trends in Wisconsin. For example:
- Wisconsin children have the second-lowest measles vaccination rate in the country, well under the vaccination rate needed to prevent outbreaks (Rommel, 2025)
- Syphilis cases in Wisconsin rose 1,450% between 2019 and 2024, higher than the national average (Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2025)
The education aims to increase understanding of how state-level policy and infrastructure decisions influence clinical practice and physician workload, and to provide sustainable strategies to incorporate public health principles into everyday clinical workflows without exacerbating burnout. Following the event, learners will be able to:
- incorporate public health considerations into routine clinical care
- assess how public health policy and infrastructure affect patient outcomes, practice operations, and physician workload
- Identify practical strategies for physician engagement that are sustainable and workflow-conscious
- Recognize opportunities for physician leadership and advocacy in Wisconsin
The activity includes a panel discussion and Q&A to support learners' knowledge and competence; education will be accredited for 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Panelists include, but are not limited to Paula Tran, MPH, State Health Officer and Division of Public Health Administrator; and Padmini Ranasinghe, MD, MPH, Chair, Council on Science & Public Health, American Medical Association. Additional panel speakers are expected. Moderator: Michael White, MD, WisMed President-Elect.
This event primarily targets physicians, but allied health professionals, nurses, patient care staff, and anyone in the healthcare profession looking to learn and collaborate with other health professionals is welcome to attend.