MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Clinic Health System and Security Health Plan have announced the awardees of the Addressing Health Disparities funding program. A total of 21 organizations will receive $202,478 in funding.

The list of awardees can be found at https://communityhealth.marshfieldclinic.org/en/Community-Investments and below:

The programs and initiatives receiving funds will improve health equity by addressing a wide variety of health disparities. Health disparities are preventable differences in health experienced by groups with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantages. Examples of preventable differences include difficulties getting medical care, few options for healthy food, or lacking a safe place to live. Health disparities are barriers to individuals reaching their full potential for health and well-being.

“Our rural communities have unique health disparities, and there are many organizations working hard to address them,” said Jay Shrader, vice president of Community Impact and Social Accountability. “We are proud to be able to invest in partner organizations that share our mission to create healthy communities.”

The investments support one of the system’s five key strategies in their commitment to diversity and inclusivity. For more information on Marshfield Clinic Health System’s Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity approach, visit https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/about-us/hedi.

The 21 funded organizations will implement a wide variety of programs. One organization will use the funds to address childhood food insecurity, ensuring children have nutritionally dense food and fresh produce. Another organization plans to support the addition of a community health worker to increase health literacy and health knowledge for Latinx individuals and families living in Central Wisconsin. A third will partner with other community organizations to provide safe and affordable transportation to needed services.

For more information the system’s community health efforts, visit https://communityhealth.marshfieldclinic.org/ or email us at communityhealth@marshfieldclinic.org.

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Marshfield Clinic Health System is an integrated health system whose mission is to enrich lives through accessible, affordable compassionate health care. The Health System serves Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with more than 1,600 providers comprising 170 specialties, health plan, and research and education programs. Primary operations include more than 60 Marshfield Clinic locations, 11 hospitals, Marshfield Children’s Hospital, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Security Health Plan and Marshfield Clinic Health System Foundation. Learn more at marshfieldclinic.org.

Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., part of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, is helping its 225,000 members in Wisconsin and beyond reach their best health. Security is a not-for-profit health plan serving Wisconsin since 1971 and is the fourth largest regional health plan in Wisconsin based on revenue and fifth largest in enrollment. Security Health Plan offers health insurance coverage for employees of large and small businesses, individuals and families. In addition, Security Administrative Services, LLC, a service of Security Health Plan, is a full service medical third-party administrator licensed in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.

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EnsoData’s revolutionary adherence prediction AI will be integrated into React Health’s recently launched React Health Connect platform. This collaboration will empower referring physicians and DME suppliers with actionable data to provide timely, personalized support to patients who are struggling with therapy adherence.

“By partnering with EnsoData, we are making another significant investment in our sleep therapy product portfolio”, says Tom Pontzius, President at React Health. “EnsoData’s predictive analytics will allow our customers to prioritize and focus on the patients that need intervention the most, and will ultimately provide a more personalized and positive patient experience.”

“Our PAP compliance AI model has an incredible ability to predict compliance within days of starting treatment,” states Chris Fernandez, Chief Research Officer “We are excited about the transformative impact our technology can have on the multitude of patients who face challenges in treating their sleep apnea. Our goal is to strengthen the bond between healthcare providers and patients, resulting in
improved patient outcomes.”

This partnership signifies a new era in personalized sleep apnea care where predictive clinical AI tools enable timely patient care, increased patient support, and stronger provider-patient connection.

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About EnsoData:
EnsoData is a healthcare technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to perform complex and time-consuming data interpretation and analysis to help diagnose and treat health conditions. In addition to its AI-enabled therapy solution, EnsoData’s FDA-cleared sleep scoring and study management solution, EnsoSleep, is AI-powered viewing, scoring, editing, and reporting software that simplifies and accelerates the sleep testing, diagnosis, and treatment workflow — providing clinicians with more time and opportunities to expand patient care and improve outcomes.

About React Health:
React Health, headquartered in Sarasota, FL, is a sleep and respiratory device manufacturer. By manufacturing our comprehensive range of products, spanning from sleep to ventilation and oxygen solutions, we have curated our portfolio to offer unwavering support to physicians and DMEs across the continuum of patient care. Within our Luna PAP device line, each offering is FDA approved, encompassing CPAP/APAP, bilevel, and bilevel ST models. Our thoughtfully selected array of PAP interfaces and accessories complement our Luna PAP device line while accommodating diverse patient requirements. Adding value for our patients and partners, our ventilatory solutions seamlessly support a patient’s journey from the hospital to home.

Rounding out our robust respiratory portfolio is our spectrum of oxygen support, including both stationary and portable oxygen concentrators, along with a selection of essential accessories.

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Wraparound Milwaukee and Children’s Community Mental Health Services, a branch of Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services, emphasizes the significance of addressing these challenges head-on and highlights the availability of mental health support services for youth, young adults and their families experiencing serious emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges.

“Our youth in Milwaukee County are currently in a state of crisis, a situation that has persisted for an extended period. It’s imperative that we urgently implement significant measures to address this issue,” said Brian McBride, Director of Wraparound Milwaukee and Children’s Community Mental Health Services. “The return to school represents a significant shift with mental well-being, and by offering timely and accessible mental health support, we can create an environment in which all students have the opportunity to overcome these challenges and succeed,” he continued.

According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) administered to students across Wisconsin, over half of the students (58.1%) reported experiencing one or more of the following in the past year: depression, anxiety, self-harm or suicidal ideation.

• 52.2% of students reported anxiety
• 33.7% of students reported depression
• 21.7% of students reported self-harm
• 18.1% of students reported considering suicide and 8.5% attempted suicide

While Milwaukee County is known for rich cultural diversity and vibrant communities, students in the region also face an array of factors that impact their mental well-being. This includes exposure to violence and crime, educational inequities and the complexities of navigating racial and ethnic identity. Addressing factors that shape emotional well-being is the focus of Wraparound Milwaukee and Children’s Community Mental Health Services.

Identifying when a student might require assistance is crucial for their overall mental well-being and academic success. Recognizing that educators, parents, caregivers and community members might need to guide young individuals toward support, it’s vital they are aware and informed of some of the following signs to watch for:

• Changes in Behavior or Social Withdrawal: Student isolates themselves from friends and activities they used to enjoy or is exhibiting extreme mood swings
• Persistent Sadness or Irritability: Student consistently appears sad, irritable or shows signs of hopelessness
• Changes in Academic Performance: Student’s academic performance declines
• Difficulty Concentrating: Student has trouble focusing, staying attentive or completing tasks
• Changes in Sleep Patterns: Student experiences significant changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Eating Changes: Student experiences a noticeable shift in eating habits, such as sudden weight loss or gain, skipping meals or binge eating
• Excessive Perfectionism or Self-Criticism: Student becomes overly self-critical, sets unrealistic standards or exhibits perfectionist tendencies
• Expressions of Hopelessness or Suicidal Thoughts: Student mentions feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Excessive Risk-Taking Behaviors: Student engages in reckless behaviors, substance abuse or risky activities

To learn more about how Wraparound Milwaukee and Children’s Community Mental Health Services can provide support, individuals are encouraged to call the Resource & Referral line at (414)257-7607.

About the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) provides care and treatment to adults, children, and adolescents with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual disabilities through both county-operated programs and contracts with community agencies. Services include intensive short-term treatment through crisis services and inpatient services, as well as a full array of supportive community services for persons with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.

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“Every child in Wisconsin deserves access to healthy food, and the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle filled with love and play. When our children have access to nutritious foods and physical activity, they have better mental health and educational outcomes, and an overall increased sense of well-being. For many children in Wisconsin, however, living in a food desert or an area with inadequate outdoor recreation is a difficult reality.

“I look forward to working alongside Chairwoman Karen Hurd, as well as the rest of the task force, to listen to child health experts and hear how the state legislature can unite in a shared purpose to better serve Wisconsin’s kids. We have before us an opportunity to learn, listen, and grow–and in the end, move Wisconsin forward, together.”

Rep. Vining represents the 14th Assembly District, which includes parts of Wauwatosa and West Allis. For more information, visit Rep. Vining’s website here.

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Eligible organizations for AHW’s Community-Led Seed Grants are Wisconsin-based 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 nonprofits, as well as Wisconsin-based government entities.

AHW has allocated $1 million for this funding opportunity for community-led partnerships with MCW researchers, allowing up to 20 awards. Funded projects must be completed during a 12-month period beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.

Applications for AHW’s seed grants are due on Sept. 11. For more information and to request a pre-application consultation with an AHW program manager, visit https://info.ahwendowment.org/seed-grant-rfa-2023.

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About the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment

The Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) is a statewide health philanthropy established by the Medical College of Wisconsin to steward a generous financial gift from Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin. Since 2004, AHW has invested more than $336 million in 600 health research, workforce development, and community health initiatives statewide. Learn more at www.ahwendowment.org.

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The new surgical quality program, launched in September 2022, was created by the American College of Surgeons and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, and helps hospitals establish and maintain the highest standards in emergency general surgery. Emergency general surgery is among the most frequent types of surgery a hospital provides.

The verification program has been fundamental in creating a framework upon which to design the program at UW Health, to pursue process improvement within the hospital and to help focus attention and resources on the importance of clinically relevant data, according to Dr. Stephanie Savage, medical director of Emergency General Surgery at UW Health.

“When we think about the EGS Verification Program, we know that high-quality care to the emergency surgical patient is vital to the patients, to the surgical team and to the staff,” she said. “We are very excited to continue to provide quality care to our patients as part of the American College of Surgeons Emergency General Surgery Verification Program.”

An estimated 4 million patients undergo emergency general surgery procedures each year in the United States, representing about 11% of all surgical procedures and accounting for almost a quarter of overall inpatient costs, according to the American College of Surgeons

Unlike trauma patients, emergency general surgery patients have not sustained an injury, but rather have conditions that often require the same urgency of care as trauma patients, like soft tissue infection, gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, diverticular disease, appendicitis, acute gastrointestinal bleed, perforated peptic ulcer disease and incarcerated hernia.

The other hospitals that are part of the initial verification include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Riverside University Health System Medical Center, Moreno Valley, California, and JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, Texas.

“Since the launch of EGS-VP, these five hospitals have demonstrated how meaningfully this program impacts patient care. The early adopters of EGS-VP set an example of enhanced surgical quality for other hospitals to follow,” said Dr. Patricia L. Turner, executive director and CEO of the American College of Surgeons. “We look forward to sharing lessons learned from these institutions as we welcome many more hospitals and systems in the future.”

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Through this partnership, Centivo and SSM Health will deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare to Wisconsin businesses and their employees in Fond du Lac area markets via its exclusive High-Performance Health Plan offering with The Business Health Care Group of Wisconsin (“BHCG”).

The addition of SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac to Centivo’s provider network will bring more primary care services and a range of specialty treatment options to Centivo members, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, neurosurgery, stroke care, hospice care and more. As part of its value-based care model, Centivo encourages members to engage with high-value providers who put primary care at the center of their offerings. By making all primary care free and preventive care more accessible, members on the Centivo-BHCG model have seen fewer emergency room visits and inpatient admissions, leading to an average of 23 to 36 percent total cost of care savings compared to traditional U.S. insurance carriers.

“Across the country, businesses and their employees continue to struggle with the cost burdens of healthcare, often leading to care avoidance or burdensome debt,” said Ashok Subramanian, CEO of Centivo. “Centivo addresses this problem by offering a plan that connects members to the highest-value providers who have pledged to improve patient access to quality, affordable care. We’re thrilled to add SSM Health to our network to deliver best-in-class care to members in Wisconsin and look forward to potential future expansion to provide even greater access to Wisconsin companies looking for better healthcare coverage for their employees and their families.”

Centivo and BHCG are demonstrating their commitment to empowering the best healthcare experience possible by partnering with providers like SSM Health that focus on patient outcomes through a value-based, primary care-centered model.

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About Centivo

Centivo is an innovative health plan for self-funded employers, with a mission to bring affordable, high-quality healthcare to the millions of workers who struggle to pay their medical bills. Anchored around a primary care-based Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model and fully integrated with one of the nation’s first virtual primary care practices to receive Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Centivo typically saves employers 20 percent or more compared to traditional U.S. insurance carriers. Employees also realize significant savings through its free primary care, predictable copays and no-deductible benefit plan design. Centivo partners with companies employing over 50 people – from mid-sized organizations to the Fortune 500. For more information, visit centivo.com.

About SSM Health

SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through a robust and fully integrated healthcare delivery system. The organization’s 40,000 team members and more than 12,800 providers are committed to providing exceptional healthcare services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.

With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 300 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 13 post-acute facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Business Health Care Group

The Business Health Care Group (BHCG) leverages member employer purchasing power and knowledge to lead change. The organization creates value through innovative, shared strategies to improve health care quality and cost efficiency for employers, employees, and the community. BHCG membership includes employers throughout Wisconsin and nationwide through standalone memberships for employers accessing BHCG best in class strategic partners. Visit BHCGWI.org to learn more.

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The recognition closely aligns with ThedaCare’s mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities served, empowering individuals to live their best lives. ThedaCare is dedicated to protecting access to care, and improving patient experience through responsible financial performance.

“Population Health is about understanding the people in our communities, getting ahead of health events before they occur, and providing care immediately when health issues begin,” said Mark Thompson, ThedaCare Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer. “When we strive to advance overall community health, while lowering the total cost, we can impact the quality of care that is provided.”

Ensemble, the industry leader in revenue cycle management, has served as ThedaCare’s end-to-end revenue cycle outsourcing partner since 2019. The partnership drives financial performance in support of exceptional patient care.

“At Ensemble, we are committed to driving financial performance improvement for our clients, and we are honored to partner with health care providers like ThedaCare who are working to improve health care for their patients and communities,” said Judson Ivy, Founder, President and CEO of Ensemble. “This recognition reaffirms our shared commitment to redefining what is possible in revenue cycle management and calling attention to the impact of improved revenue cycle on the entire health system, including for the patient experience.”

Created by and for health care leaders, HFMA’s MAP initiative sets the standard for revenue cycle excellence in the health care industry. MAP is a comprehensive strategy that allows organizations to measure revenue cycle performance using the industry-standard MAP Keys; apply evidence-based strategies for improvement; and perform to the highest standards to improve financial results and patient satisfaction.

“There is important value when it comes to meeting industry-standard revenue cycle benchmarks, such as the ones measured through HFMA,” said Thompson. “Meeting the standards allows our system to monitor progress, growth and opportunities to continue meeting the needs of the communities we serve.”

Award recipients are acknowledged as industry leaders and share proven strategies with their colleagues. The award was formally presented on June 25 during the HFMA Annual Conference in Nashville, TN.

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About Ensemble
Ensemble Health Partners is a full-service revenue cycle management company, delivering holistic financial health for more than 250 healthcare providers across the country. With a complete platform of services, technology, business intelligence and analytics, Ensemble manages the entire revenue cycle so providers can focus on delivering exceptional care in their communities.

About ThedaCare

For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including eight hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, finding solutions together, and encouraging health awareness and action. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts about a patient’s care. ThedaCare is proud to partner with Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network to enhance convenient access to the most advanced levels of specialty care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care.

For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.

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“Aurora Health Care sets an excellent example for others across many of the quality measures WCHQ monitors,” said WCHQ President and CEO Gabrielle Rude, PhD. “They are the top performer in our All-or-None Diabetes Optimal Testing measure, which showcases their strong testing processes in place.”

The evaluation of the All-or-None Diabetes Optimal Testing measure requires health systems to meet all three testing targets in A1C, kidney function and EGFR. This measure is one of many that the WCHQ evaluates regularly for its member organizations.

Aurora Health Care representatives Dr. Kristine Bruno, Director of Quality for the Primary Care Service Line and Mary Kay Peterson, Executive Director of Quality, accepted the award. During the acceptance presentation, they outlined Aurora Health Care’s quality journey milestones, including its membership in WCHQ.

“WCHQ provides opportunities to see what others are working on and learn from our colleagues across the state,” said Dr. Bruno.

“This has strengthened our quality culture, continuing our commitment to the best possible patient care and success in our value-based agreements,” added Peterson.

WCHQ congratulates Aurora Health Care on its healthcare quality success.

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About Aurora Health Care

Aurora Health Care is the largest health system in Wisconsin and a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. The state’s largest private employer, the system serves patients across 17 hospitals, more than 70 pharmacies and more than 150 sites of care. Aurora Health Care, in addition to Advocate Health Care in Illinois and Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, is now part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $5 billion in annual community benefits.

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