President's Message December 2011 

Welcome to the second volume of the WSA newsletter.

The annual meeting of the WSA 2011 took place at the Abbey Resort, Fontana, Wisconsin. The fall weekend meeting was a tremendous success and drew the leadership of the ASA to join us during the meeting. The annual meeting (free to WSA members) provides a good forum to meet and network with anesthesiologists throughout the state and discuss topics to enhance patient care. One member stated regarding the regional anesthesia hands-on workshop, “I was impressed, excellent faculty, I paid $1000 for the ASRA course in Chicago, this free workshop was as good, with the advantage of less participants. Thank you so much.” In this newsletter you will find a brief overview from the 2011 program director, Dr. Kenneth Van Dyke.

Next year the annual fall WSA meeting is being held at the American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin. The American Club is the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel. In addition to the luxury accommodations the resort offers inspired dining to world-class golf and spa services. Please make plans to join us September 8-9, 2012.

This year the WSA hosted a luncheon on Saturday Oct. 15^th at the ASA. This was very well received and gave the WSA leadership a chance to discuss concerns with the anesthesiologists from Wisconsin. Most anesthesiologists are concerned about the impact of healthcare reform, both Medicare and Medicaid, on their practices. Eric Jensen, WSA lobbyist, has his hands on the pulse and addresses these issues in this newsletter.

If you wish to be become more involved in the WSA, please consider attending the second annual Legislative Advocacy Day on January 11, 2012. Also, the Alternate Delegates to the ASA hold one-year terms so any interested WSA member may apply for these positions as well as any other position that has term limits. The state of Wisconsin is divided into 5 districts based on the density of anesthesiologists within those counties. The division is included in the newsletter. Get to know your district director. They represent you on the WSA board. 

The board members of the WSA constantly seek to maximize the value that the WSA membership brings to the anesthesiologists in the state of Wisconsin. You will shortly receive a membership survey so we can assess the climate of practice and tailor the WSA to our members. Please take thoughtful time to complete this survey.

I look forward to working for you over the next two years. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns.

Lois A. Connolly, MD