The Medical College of Wisconsin, in partnership with the Avalon Action Alliance (Avalon), has recently launched the BRAVE program. BRAVE is a unique outpatient program that treats veterans and first responders who have acquired a brain injury at any point in their life. BRAVE is the first of its kind in the Midwest and one of only seven in the United States. It was founded by a generous gift from Avalon, a post-trauma, wellness non-profit organization that provides care for the “hidden wounds” carried by veterans, first responders and their families.

Participants in the BRAVE program receive treatment at the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Greenfield Highlands Health Center. This program was specially designed for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the symptoms caused by an acquired brain injury. The program is offered at little to no cost to the participant and no qualified participant will be turned away due to current insurance or financial status. The program is meant to treat veterans and first responders of the Midwest and beyond, regardless of discharge status, veteran status, etc. or if their brain injury was medically reported.

The BRAVE Program is a branch of the Wisconsin Institute of Neuroscience (WINS), a collaboration of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Health, Children’s Wisconsin and the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. BRAVE was designed to treat the invisible wounds of service and war, specifically Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the physical and mental health issues that result.

The BRAVE team is comprised of psychiatry and psychology to address mental and behavioral health; physical therapy for vestibular, balance and musculoskeletal pain and concerns; occupational therapy to address vision and activities of daily living; speech-language pathology to assess cognition (i.e. memory, thinking, planning) and language; as well as  neurology, social work, case management, veteran/first responder outreach and care coordination to properly address all aspects of the patient’s concerns.

Due to a generous gift from the Avalon partnership that was established within the Avalon network, BRAVE can remove barriers to care (stigma, cost, silos of care, paperwork, logistics, etc.) while offering the veteran or first responder a unique and holistic approach to TBI treatment. The BRAVE Program consists of a 3-day comprehensive evaluation to develop a roadmap to care while identifying root causes to TBI symptoms. From there, an intensive outpatient treatment plan and classes can be tailored based on the patient’s needs and chosen goals. If additional services are identified through the evaluation process, (i.e. more intensive post-traumatic stress or in-patient substance abuse treatment is needed) BRAVE can complete internal referrals for treatment within the Avalon Action Alliance network at no additional cost to the client.

To learn more about the program, click here, visit the website, call 414.427.5370 or email BRAVE@mcw.edu. Click here to learn about Avalon's other programs.

Congratulations to Dr. Justin Sattin on receiving the Director Mentorship Leadership Program Award from the AAN! 

Aspirus Healthis currently seeking a skilled and dedicated Neurologist to join our team in Wausau, WI. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a well-established and respected healthcare organization while having the opportunity to build a practice!

The Ideal Candidate:

• Experience in general neurology, including the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders such as movement disorders, epilepsy, MS, migraine, memory, stroke, myasthenia gravis, and more.
• Experience with EMGs and Botox is preferred.
• BC/BE candidate.
• New graduates are encouraged to apply!

Clinic hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00a-5:00p, with no call and outreach opportunities available to Rhinelander and Stevens Point.

We offer a comprehensive compensation package that includes:

• Competitive compensation including potential for residency/fellowship stipend, loan repayment, and signing bonus
• Generous CME with paid time off
• Excellent PTO benefits
• 100% malpractice coverage
• Options for retirement plan including 403(b) and 457(b)
• Relocation assistance up to $15,000

ASPIRUS HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS:

• Aspirus Health serves communities throughout upper Michigan and Wisconsin with 17 hospitals, 75 clinics, home health, hospice care, air-medical transport, and a broad network of physicians.
• Aspirus Health is committed to being economically, socially, and environmentally responsible.
• Non-profit health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin.
• Dedicated to delivering high-quality care to rural communities.

To apply or learn more, visit www.aspirus.org/our-careers

Aspirus Health is seeking a Neurohospitalist to join our highly collaborative and busy team in Wausau, Wisconsin.  Aspirus Wausau Hospital is a level 2 trauma center supporting all of our 17-Hospitals in North Central Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• 7 days on/7 days off, 24/7 call schedule
• Strictly inpatient position
• Higher acuity/complex patients, including stroke, TBI, and patients who have experienced brain death
• Physician will have an APC partner
• Physician will be supported by our experienced Hospitalist and Neurology groups
• Physician must be interested in working with stroke patients
• This is not a visa eligible opportunity

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive compensation, potential for residency/fellowship stipend, loan repayment, and signing bonus
• Generous CME money and time allowance
• 208 hours of PTO during initial guarantee period
• 100% malpractice coverage
• Options for retirement plan including 403(b) and 457(b)
• Relocation assistance up to $15,000

Area Highlights:

• Variety of year-round activities throughout the year, including: snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, festivals, farmer’s markets, theater, and a thriving art scene
• Lively, farm-to-table, community-sourced dining scene
• A normal commute is 10-15 minutes from any part of town
• High performing school districts in the area with over 60 schools from public to private to choose from
• Close proximity to Central Wisconsin Airport with direct flights to O'Hare International Airport, Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

ABOUT ASPIRUS HEALTH:

We heal people, promote health, and strengthen communities.

• Aspirus Health serves communities throughout upper Michigan and Wisconsin with 17 hospitals, 75 clinics, home health, hospice care, air-medical transport, and a broad network of physicians
• Aspirus Health is committed to being economically, socially, and environmentally responsible.
• Non-profit health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin
• Dedicated to delivering high-quality care to rural communities

To apply or learn more, visit www.aspirus.org/our-careers

Milwaukee, Dec. 14, 2022 – Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and WNS Member, has been honored by BizTimes Milwaukee and named to its list of Notable Heroes in Health Care in southeastern Wisconsin. This list highlights the accomplishments of people and organizations making a positive difference on the front lines of health care in the area.

Dr. Obeidat works with adults in diagnosing, treating, and managing multiple sclerosis (MS) and immune disorders of the central nervous system. His research at MCW focuses on advancing the understanding of what causes MS, as well as improving the efficacy and safety of current therapeutics. Dr. Obeidat was awarded a clinical care fellowship by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the National MS Society - Wisconsin Chapter. Dr. Obeidat is also an author on nearly 40 scientific articles in his field.

The full list of Notable Heroes in Health Care is featured in the December 12 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee, as well as online.

Wisconsin Health News
December 12, 2022

Two doctors’ groups filed a brief with the Wisconsin Supreme Court last week arguing that courts shouldn’t compel physicians to provide the antiparasitic drug ivermectin as a COVID-19 intervention. 

The American Medical Association and Wisconsin Medical Society asked that the court uphold an appeals court ruling earlier this year that found no legal authority to compel private healthcare providers to administer treatments that they have determined are below the standard of care. 

The ruling came in a case brought by Allen Gahl, whose uncle was placed on a ventilator in October 2021 while hospitalized at Aurora Medical Center-Summit with COVID-19. 

Gahl obtained a prescription for ivermectin for his uncle, but the hospital staff declined to provide it after deeming the medication below the standard of care. Gahl sued, which led a Waukesha County Court to initially order that the hospital provide his uncle with the drug. 

The hospital appealed, and the Waukesha County judge later revised his order to require that the healthcare facility let Gahl find a doctor outside the hospital to administer ivermectin to his uncle. However, an appeals court put a hold on that order. 

In their brief, the American Medical Association and Wisconsin Medical Society wrote that most studies investigating ivermectin haven’t found it to be an effective COVID-19 treatment. The consensus view is, apart from clinical trials, it shouldn’t be used to treat the illness, they noted.

They wrote that the hospital met its legal and ethical duties by treating the patient with an “evidence-based protocol” that did not include the drug and that the Wisconsin Supreme Court should affirm the court of appeals' ruling.

"Holding otherwise would allow courts to compel treatments that the medical consensus finds to be substandard,” they wrote. “That outcome forces Wisconsin's physicians to choose between the law and their ethical duties, potentially exposing patients to harm and physicians to liability.” 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in September, with the plaintiff in the case arguing that the appeals court acted in error and that its decision “left a wake of confusion with citizens regarding the right to request to receive ivermectin.”

Wisconsin Medical Society
July 21, 2022

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Lifeline), a free, confidential behavioral health and support line is now available. Anyone can utilize the Lifeline at any time by calling 988 (multiple languages available), texting a message to 988 (English only), or using the chat feature at 988lifeline.org (English only). People can connect with a trained crisis counselor to get help for themselves or a loved one experiencing a crisis, such as is thoughts of suicide, a mental health concern, substance use issue or any kind of emotional distress.

Additional details about the Lifeline:

• Wisconsin Lifeline counselors are trained to reduce stress, provide emotional support and connect people with local resources.
• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to use at no cost to Wisconsin residents. Additional care or intervention may come with a cost.
• Wisconsin Lifeline is not able to send an in-person response directly. An in-person response requires a transfer to another service and could involve law enforcement.
• Calls, texts and chats with Wisconsin Lifeline are confidential between the person and counselor, unless there is imminent danger for the person or others.

Jerry Halverson, MD, DFAPA, WisMed Board Chair and Rogers Behavioral Health Chief Medical Officer, told Fox6, "The purpose of 988 is to help you get over that crisis point, and get you someone that can help you more definitively. This is going to open up access to a lot of people who wouldn’t have taken advantage in the past. It can be a game-changer."

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 support centers around the country. Contacts not answered by in-state partners roll over to a national backup system. The Wisconsin Lifeline has helped ensure that as many contacts as possible are answered by Wisconsin-based counselors who have the best understanding of local communities, cultures and resources. 

Learn more about Lifeline here.

WNS joins 75 other other organizations by signing onto a letter urging Congress to explore the issue of "Long COVID".  Read the full letter here. 

This award is in memory of Bennett Hiner, son of long-time Society member Dr. Bradley Hiner. Bennett passed away unexpectedly in November of 2011. He was a leader in his medical school class at the University of Southern California and actively involved in neuroscience research.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified applicants are:

• Medical students enrolled in either the Medical College of Wisconsin or the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
• Graduate and allied health students who have completed neuroscience research within two years of the application for the award.
• Have demonstrated leadership experience while enrolled in medical school or graduate programs.

Learn more & Apply

WNS held the 2021 Virtual Annual Conference on Saturday, October 16th. The Conference was held virtually and drew attendees and exhibitors from across the state. Dr. Amber Ebert, Coram Consulting, LLC kicked off the meeting with an Dementia Intro, Memory Changes: What's Normal?.  A great lineup of speakers filled the day on including a sessions on Alzheimer's Therapeutics, Radiographic Testing for Parkinson's Disorder and a quick hitter session on Three New Things in Neurodegenerative Diseases with updates on REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, ALS, and Parkinson's Disease.  Dr. Charlene Gamaldo from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep Wellness joined us for a keynote presentation on Sleep: The ultimate Example of Neuro Protection.  The day wrapped up with the always popular Francis M. Forster Awards and the Annual Business meeting. Thank you to all of our presenters, attendees and exhibitors who were able to join us!

Save the Date for the 2022 Annual Conference
October 14-15, 2022
Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI