Author: Sean Kirkby

by First Lady Tonette Walker Have you ever found yourself saying under your breath, “what’s wrong with that person?” It might have happened while you were at work and someone was having a meltdown or at the grocery store when you heard a father yelling at his child. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) helps us understand why people act in ways that don’t make sense, are interruptive, or are downright unhelpful. Once we have insight into the “why”, our responses become more empathetic and compassionate – that’s TIC in a nutshell. It helps us shift from thinking “what’s wrong with you”, to “what happened to you.” Over the last several years, I have been working to incorporate TIC across Wisconsin and the nation because it can truly make a difference in the everyday lives of thousands of kids and families. To spread awareness this month, Scott (Governor Walker), proclaimed the Month of May as Trauma-Informed Care Awareness Month and May 22nd as Trauma-Informed Care Day. As a result, the two of us have been traveling throughout Wisconsin to hear more from the organizations and communities using TIC. Part of the reason we’re talking about TIC is because we need everyone’s help. I, along with many others, have been working for years to promote TIC awareness and the momentum is building. But there is so much more to do, and everyone has...

MADISON, Wis. (May 18, 2018) ─ Four awards were given to organizations that have made significant contributions to transforming health care in their community when The Alliance held its Annual Seminar on May 17. This year’s award recipients are: Brakebush Brothers, Westfield, Wis.Brakebush Brothers has tapped into innovative health and wellness solutions to reduce costs and become the “employer of choice” in the area. The company has put together a package of services designed to save money while serving a wide range of health and wellness needs. This package includes: An onsite clinic and physical therapy A health care coordinator Mobile screening services A centers of excellence program International pharmacy services A well-rounded wellness program Brakebush Brothers is being recognized for exploring new approaches to delivering and paying for care. And for collaborating with other organizations to develop innovative solutions to significant health care problems. National CooperativeRx, Madison, Wis.National CooperativeRx ensures that prescription benefits are provided to employees and their dependents in the most effective and efficient manner. The National CooperativeRx benefit and the corresponding pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) agreement is one of the most complex relationships that an employer has to manage. National CooperativeRx addresses this by negotiating with the PBM, overlaying their expertise, establishing clear expectations and accountability with the PBM and passing all those benefits on to their members.National CooperativeRx is being recognized for exploring new...

MADISON, Wis. (May 16, 2018) – Effective May 1, 2018, The Alliance network now includes all of the services provided by Ascension Wisconsin’s clinically integrated system of care, including its hospitals and primary and specialty care clinics. This expands self-funded employers’ access to in-network care in greater Milwaukee, the Fox Valley and the central and northern regions of the state. “Adding Ascension Wisconsin to our network expands the options available to self-funded organizations in Wisconsin,” said Kyle Monroe, Alliance vice president, network development and provider relations. “We are excited about the possibilities for delivering our network, self-funding expertise and educational events to more employers and insurance trusts and their covered lives.” Serving Wisconsin for 170 years, Ascension is a faith-based health care organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In Wisconsin, Ascension operates 23 hospitals, more than 100 related healthcare facilities and employs more than 1,300 primary and specialty care clinicians from Racine to Eagle River. Ascension Wisconsin includes the legacy health systems of Columbia St. Mary’s, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, and Ministry Health Care, including Affinity Health System. DOWNLOAD A MAP OF THE EXPANDED ALLIANCE NETWORK HERE About Ascension Wisconsin In Wisconsin, Ascension operates 23 hospitals, more than 100 related health care facilities and employs more than 1,300 primary and specialty care clinicians from Racine...

Bonds Underwritten by Co-Senior Managers Citigroup and Wells Fargo “SSM has historically used tax exempt financing to complete the construction, renovation and expansion of its care delivery sites. Over the years SSM has issued over $300 million in tax exempt debt through the State of Wisconsin. The availability of this financing source has allowed SSM to create billions of dollars of economic activity while improving the health of the residents of Wisconsin.”  –  Mike Malewicz, System Vice President,Treasury & Chief Investment Officer, SSM Health Care Corporation SSM Health Care Corporation employs approximately 14,000 employees in Wisconsin.  Bond financing facilitated by WHEFA was used to help SSM Health Care of Wisconsin acquire certain assets of The Monroe Clinic and subsequently defease a similar outstanding amount of bonds previously issued by WHEFA in 2016.  This federally tax-exempt financing process has enabled SSM Health Care Corporation to operate more effectively by financing its capital expenses at a lower interest rate (initially 5.00%). WHEFA is proud to have been able to assist SSM Health Care Corporation by providing access to low-cost private capital. For more information visit our website at www.whefa.com or please contact: Dennis P. Reilly | Executive Director | p: 262.792.0466 | e: info@whefa.com About WHEFA WHEFA fulfills its mission of assisting all eligible Wisconsin non-profit institutions to obtain and maintain access to tax-exempt financing in order to finance or refinance capital improvement and expansion needs. Since inception, WHEFAhas provided several hundred Wisconsin non-profit corporations access to private and...