Incorporated April 2010
Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Obesity Coalition is an independent, nonprofit group of multidisciplinary health care providers committed to addressing the concerns of the obese population of Wisconsin and those whom provide valuable, complex, life-saving treatment to these individuals. This dedicated group raises awareness of the disease obesity through advocacy and education of community, healthcare providers, healthcare administrators, insurance administrators, and government officials. The Wisconsin Obesity Coalition works to improve fair and just access to care as well as eliminate discrimination toward those suffering from the disease obesity.
The Wisconsin Obesity Coalition works to improve access to care as well as eliminate discrimination toward those suffering from the disease. Our ongoing commitment and dedication to this mission is based on our core values of fairness, equality, compassion, respect of the individual, integrity and advocacy.
Executive Officers
President: Daniel McKenna, MD
Immediate Past President: Brandon T. Grover, DO FASMBS
Past President: Luke Funk, MD MPH FASMBS
Vice President: Tammy Kindel, MD FASMBS
Secretary: TBD
STARs (State Access to Care Representatives): Luke Funk, MD MPH FASMBS & Brandon T. Grover, DO FASMBS
Board Members at Large
James Rydlewicz, MD (Aurora Health Care, Grafton)
Hassanain Jassim, MD (Prevea Health, Green Bay)
Contact
Contact us by phone or visit from the hours of: Mon – Fri 9:00AM – 6:00PM & Sat 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Julie Scott julie.scott@thedacare.org
100 Theda Clark Medical Plaza, Suite 400, Neenah, WI 54956
920-725-4527 Option 6
Chapter Meetings & Updates
- The group insurance board approved coverage for state employees to have access to bariatric surgery.
- Dean Health has changed their health policy to include bariatric surgery coverage for patients with BMI 30.1 – 34.9 with inadequately controlled DM despite optimal medical treatment. Dean Health covers 346,000 lives in Wisconsin.
- May 1, 2019: Doctors Day in Madison, WI. We met with state politicians to advocate for better coverage for the treatment of obesity for those living in Wisconsin.
- March 19, 2019: Advocacy day in Madison, WI. We met with Noah Roberts (the Health policy advisor to Governor Evers). Topics discussed: Obesity burden in Wisconsin, state of Wisconsin obesity treatment coverage (or lack thereof); weaknesses of the “WellWisconsin” plan which costs the state 9 million dollars and is the state wellness plan that targets obesity but actually covers 0 obesity-related service; upcoming group insurance board meeting (May 14), our asks for bariatric surgery coverage and obesity treatment coverage in general.
- “ASMBS Wisconsin State Chapter Seeks Bariatric Surgery Coverage for State Workers.” Connect, the official news magazine of the ASMBS.
- Executive council – Our state society elected a new President (Luke Funk), Vice-President (Brandon Grover), Secretary/Treasurer (Dan McKenna) and 3 council members at large (Drs. Tammy Kindel, James Rydlewicz, Hassanain Jassim) in December 2015. We have met on a monthly basis and outlined an advocacy plan that currently includes support from the OAC, industry, and a public relations consultant.
- 2016 Severe Obesity Treatment Summit – Our state chapter, together with the Obesity Action Coalition, industry representatives, and advocacy representatives hosted a Severe Obesity Treatment Summit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in July 2016. 11 participants from primary care, bariatric surgery, allied health, advocacy (OAC CEO Joe Nadglowski) and industry attended. A list of short and long-term goals for obesity treatment in Wisconsin was created and is currently being addressed. We are currently working with the Wisconsin Medical Society in an attempt to have a higher profile, state wide symposium that brings attention to this issue.
- Semi-annual newsletter – A semi-annual newsletter is currently being created. The inaugural newsletter will be emailed to members in September 2016. There will be updates from various executive council members and highlights of various state society members across Wisconsin.
- 2015 was an exciting year for the Wisconsin Obesity Coalition; we have reached out to many of our providers and added new membership to our growing cause in the State of Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Chapter Hosted an annual Spring Symposium designed for healthcare providers and healthcare administrators. This program focused on providing a comprehensive educational event for all healthcare providers of the bariatric patient. The objective of the program is to familiarize and educate healthcare providers on reimbursement, psychological counseling, dietary counseling, and complex case review. A total of 100 participants are expected to attend. Keynote speakers included Dr. Wayne English.
Support Groups
ALOHA-Wausau Hospital
Aspirus Wausau Hospital Medallion Room
333 Pineridge Blvd, Wausau, WI 54426
Phone: 715-847-0024
Meeting Times: 6:30 pm 3rd Tuesday of each month
Contact: Kristi Fregia Rucks
Elmbrook Hospital – Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin
19333 West North Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53045
Phone: 262-522-8300
Meeting Times: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Contact: Megan O’Driscoll, RN
Bariatric Success Circle – Appleton Medical Center
1818 North Meade Street, Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: 920-720-7281
Meeting Times: The third Wednesday of every month from 6:00 to 7:15 PM
Contact: Andrea Wolff, RN BSN Bariatric Program Coordinator
Bariatric Success Circle – Theda Clark Medical Center
120 Second Street, Neenah, WI 54956
Phone: 920-720-7281
Meeting Times: The first and third Monday of the month from 5-6:30 pm and/or the third Saturday of the month from 9:30 to 11
Contact: Andrea Wolff, RN BSN Bariatric Program Coordinator
Marshfield Clinic – Wausau Center
Patio Room, 2727 Plaza Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
Phone: 715-675-3592
Meeting Times: First Monday of each month
Contact: Patricia Unger
Dean Clinic Weight Loss Surgery Support Group
1313 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-824-4457 or 800-808-1190
Meeting times: 1st Thursday of every month 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, 2nd Monday of every month 6:00-7:00 pm, 3rd Thursday of every month 12:00-1:00 pm
Contact: Virginia Kersten
Friends Through Thick and Thin
Oak Room, 2501 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-342-7981
Meeting Time: 6 pm
Contact: Pat Schulist, RN, Bariatric Coordinator
UW Health East Clinic Auditorium
5249 East Terrace Drive off of American Parkway, Madison, WI 53718
Phone: 608-265-7090
Meeting Times: 5:30 – 7 pm Second Monday of the month
Contact: Susan Reinhardt, RN Program Manager
New Beginnings Bariatric Support Group
670 Cormier Rd, Green Bay, WI 54304
Phone: 920-494-9685
Meeting Times: 2nd or 3rd Tuesday from 7-9 pm
Contact: Mary Elliston
Gundersen Lutheran Bariatric Support Group
Patient Education Room 1st Floor Main Clinic
1900 South Ave, Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-775-2698
Meeting Times: 5:30 – 6:30 pm Last Thursday of the month
Contact: Patti Anderson, RN