January 2025
Presidents Column
As the year 2024 comes to an end, WCHQ reflects on the accomplishments of its members and staff. Throughout the past year, we have focused on our long-term strategic priorities and made progress in each area, while also introducing a new priority that includes the full membership.
Some highlights of our work in 2024:
- Actionable Data: We have invested in the capability to match patients between health systems. This will enable us to track patients across health systems for various use cases. We are currently seeking member representatives to join the governance committee for this technology.
- Health Insights: We have made our data more relevant to a wider range of stakeholders by publishing geographic visualizations. These visualizations help our members and community partners develop strategies to improve community health.
- Value Acceleration: By linking quality and cost, we have advanced upstream improvements in healthcare value. This year, our members achieved savings of over $100 million through diabetes care improvements. Going forward, we will continue to connect quality metrics with avoided complications to drive value.
New for 2025:As mentioned in the keynote address at our 20th anniversary celebration, 2025 will see a greater emphasis on collaboration (I joked that the W in our name stands for We). We are encouraging our members to provide input on our focus areas, how we can support their strategic priorities, and ensuring comprehensive representation of Wisconsin in our data and community efforts. Looking ahead to 2025, we will continue to focus on these strategic priorities, building on our achievements and making further progress in improving healthcare quality and equity.
As the year ends, I am grateful for the steady leadership of our board of directors.
Departing Board Members:
- Imran Andrabi, MD, ThedaCare/Froedtert System
- Julie Schuller, MD, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
- Jeffrey Kluever, Business Healthcare Group
- Cathy Mahaffey, Common Ground
- Lon Sprecher, Healthcare Executive
Welcome New Board Members:
- Greg Nycz, DDS, Family Health Center of Marshfield
- Jason Hampton, MD, Wildwood Family Clinic
- Terry Lawrence, Associated Physicians
- Pamela Wilson, MD, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
Primary Care is Critical to Effective Migraine Management
Free Education and Custom Reports Available
Migraines, affecting 1 in 7 Americans, significantly influence employee productivity and healthcare costs. WCHQ members are encouraged to learn about the role of primary care in managing migraines by viewing a recent presentation by Dr. Vincent T. Martin, Director of the Headache & Facial Pain Center at the University of Cincinnati. Follow this link Webinar Link (Passcode: 4qPCQT.h) for free education on evidence-based strategies for improving diagnosis, integrating preventive therapies, and addressing barriers such as limited time and prior authorizations in primary care settings.
Primary Care Providers play a crucial role in ensuring effective and efficient migraine care. It is estimated that 50% of patients with migraines do not have proper documentation on their medical problem lists, which can result in delayed treatments and missed preventive care opportunities. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino populations in particular are more likely to receive general headache diagnoses rather than specific migraine diagnoses. Geographically, rural areas face challenges due to limited access to specialized care. Migraine sufferers frequently use emergency departments for headache-related visits. Primary care providers can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs by providing better continuity of care.
WCHQ can provide customized reports on migraine data for health system members. If you are interested in reviewing data specific to your health system, contact Jen Koberstein at Jkoberstein@wchq.org.
Member Spotlight - Aurora Healthcare
Kristine Bruno, MD, Director of Quality-Primary Care Service line, and WCHQ Board member, provides information about Aurora Healthcare (the Wisconsin brand for Advocate Health Care) and the benefits of their long-term membership with WCHQ.
Member Name: Aurora Healthcare
Member of WCHQ Since: 2007
Size and Scope: In Wisconsin, Aurora Healthcare operates 18 hospitals, 150 clinics and 70 pharmacies, hospital at home and several Skilled Nursing Facilities.
Current Quality Goals: In recent years, as the organization has grown, AAH has focused on ensuring all providers are measuring the same things in the same way and then sharing best practices. Hypertension and Diabetes control remain top priorities, particularly for diverse populations.
Member Background: Aurora Healthcare, celebrating 40 years of serving patients in Wisconsin. In 2018, Aurora merged with Advocate Health Care and then in 2022 Atrium and Advocate merged. With these mergers, Advocate Health coverage spans the Midwest and the Southeast.
Our Purpose: From discovery to everyday moments, we’re redefining care – for you, for us, for all.
WCHQ Impact:
“The most important impact is the idea that we measure everybody- all patients, all payers.”
Dr. Bruno states that WCHQ has helped Aurora Healthcare standardize quality measurement, as other health systems in the state are also focused on this. Collaboration with other members has enabled AH to quickly adopt best practices from rooming standards and medical assistant training to health maintenance setups and Epic workflows.
Per Bruno, “Somebody else has usually had the same problem you are facing and may have figured out a better way to tackle it. Even better, they’re willing to share it too.”
