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WAMSS Newsletter - 1st Quarter, 2021
President's Report
As I sat down to create my first newsletter as WAMSS President, I reflected back on my journey in medical staff services. It's amazing how much has changed. From paper and file cabinets to software and a laptop computer. From in-person meetings to virtual meetings and e-signatures. I can remember trying to decipher physicians' handwriting, now i have to deciper their texts...FWIW. No matter the changes, the medical staff services professionals' role as "the gatekeepers of patient safety for healthcare organizations" remains the same. Thanks to all for renewing your WAMSS membership. WAMSS looks forward to providing you opportunities to improve your education, strengthen your network and enhance your professional growth. Take pride in what you do!
What is the WAMSS Board doing?
Strategic Planning
The Board of Directors adopted a new strategic plan using four "pillars" to lead us to achieve WAMSS mission and goals and approved a budget to support our plan.
EDUCATION
Goals: 1) Increase Library resources to meet members requests to enhance skills and competence and to promote Library usage. 2) Offer educational opportunities that support the diversity of members' roles/responsibilities.
MEMBERSHIP
Goals: 1) Promote membership. 2) Increase membership engagement by introducing new ways to involve and recognize members.
COMMUNICATION
Goals: 1) Increase communication with WAMSS members. 2) Enhance WAMSS website and other social networks.
ADVOCACY
Goals: 1) Become a voice on regulatory and legislative issues and to provide members with up to date important news that affects the medical staff and credentialing services community. 2) Encourage members to be their own advocate as an MSP within their organization.
We look forward to your engagement in our actions to achieve our goals. How can you particpate? Complete a survey, participate in an incentive, network using the WAMSS listserve ([email protected]), like us on Facebook (wi-wisconsin association medical staff services), attend an educational offering or join the Board or a committee.
Welcome New Board Member
Jean Volkey, CPCS, CPMSM, joins the WAMSS Board of Directors as the Communications and Advocacy Chair. Her role will assist WAMSS in becoming a voice on regulatory and legislative issues, providing members with up to date important news that affects the medical staff and credentialing services community and to share NAMSS initiative on encouraging members to be their own advocate within their organizations. The Board looks forward to her contributions and the growth of this position.
Check our website to see Jean, as well as all WAMSS Board members.
Interested in an Opportunity for Professional Growth?
The WAMSS Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the following positions:
Website Chair - is an appointed position and is currently open. This is a great opportunity to work "behind the scenes" in website content and design and to learn all the capabilities of StarChapter (WAMSS website platform). StarChapter provides numerous on-line tutorials, training sessions and 1:1 support to help you succeed in this role.
Bylaws Chair - is an appointed position and will be available January 1, 2022. Maintaing the WAMSS bylaws and policies and procedures is the focus of this role. This includes updates, approvals and communication of amendments to WAMSS members.
More information on qualifications and position duties can be found in the WAMSS Policies and Procedures.
If you or if you know of another member who may be interested in these positions, please complete the WAMSS Board Application and email it to [email protected].
The WAMSS Conference Planning Commmittee also is looking for members interested in planning our annual conference. If interested, please reach out to [email protected].
Membership Updates
Welcome New WAMSS Members
Jessica Beneker
Kerrie Bieber
Lori Fermanich
Kristen Haag
Erin Hill
Ciara Kaiser
Melissa Kneeland
Robin Kober
Kathryn Kuse
Terr Luer
Debbi Madvig
Lisa Sorenson
Julienne Stewart
Teresa Turner
Kristin Walsh
Matthew Winters
For a full listing of WAMSS members, visit WAMSS Member Directory (login required).
Retirees:
Cathy Nierode
Julie Lord (Julie will remain active in the Bylaws Chair position through 2021.)
Membership Referral Program
Know an MSP who could benefit from a WAMSS Membership? Refer a member today! Not only will this put you in the running to receive a prize, but you will also help WAMSS continue to grow and expand our membership.
New members will be able to identify the member that referred them when signing up for a WAMSS Membership. For every referral, you and your new member’s name, will be entered into a drawing for a gift card (i.e., visa, amazon) during the WAMSS annual conference (do not need to be present to win).
The individual referring the new member must be a current member of WAMSS. The new member must reference the member's full name in the space indicated on the membership application.
Referred new members who join must be new members and can NOT be renewing or reinstating their membership.
Questions regarding the Membership Referral Program? Please contact [email protected].
Educational Opportunities
WAMSS Library Resource Survey
We would love to hear from you! If you have not already done so, please complete the WAMSS Library Resource Survey. This is your opportunity to provide us with your feedback and suggestions for our WAMSS Library. Hurry, as survey will close on April 30.
WAMSS Annual Conference
Please watch your email for a survey soon regarding the 2021 WAMSS annual conference.
NAMSS Certification
Thinking about becoming certified? NAMSS offers many resources, including virtual CPCS and CPMSM exam preparation courses. Registration is now available for summer sessions.
Are you ready to become certified? NAMSS summer testing period application deadline is Friday, April 30, 2021; final deadline with late fee is May 20. Testing period is June 26 - July 17.
For more information, please visit NAMSS Certification Preparation Resources and NAMSS Exam Information.
Scholarships/Awards
WAMSS Scholarship
The purpose of the WAMSS Educational Scholarship is to provide financial assistance for members who need financial support for continuing education. If you are interested in applying for a WAMSS scholarship, please review the WAMSS policies and procedures for scholarship eligibility/requirements and submit an on-line WAMSS Scholarship Application (login required) Applications will be accepted until June 1.
Joan Pykett Outstanding Medical Services Professional Award
The Joan Pykett Outstanding Medical Services Professional Award was established in honor of Joan, a founding member and former president of WAMSS, to recognize the outstanding achievements of a WAMSS member in their workplace, in promoting the enhancement of knowledge and skills of our profession, and through advocating quality healthcare and patient safety. Do you know an active WAMSS member who fits this criteria? Complete an online Nomination form and submit by June 30. The award will be presented at the WAMSS annual conference.
Bylaws, Policies and Procedures
WAMSS Bylaws
The results are in and 100% of voters approved the addition to the WAMSS Bylaws: members who are consultants or vendors may not serve on the Board of Directors as an officer or chair. Thanks to all who voted.
WAMSS Polcies and Procedures
WAMSS Policies and Procedures are continuously reviewed and updated to align with members’ needs and the operations of the organization.
In addition to the recent development of the Addendum: Board of Directors Duties and Timelines, below is a summary of updates since 2019.
I. Board of Directors Position Descriptions – Removed detailed language that was moved to the Duties and Timelines.
I.G Communications and Advocacy Chair – Added paragraph 5 pertaining to NAMSS membership and payment of NAMSS membership dues by WAMSS if the Chair’s employer does not pay.
I.J Program Chair – Added paragraph 6 pertaining to NAMSS membership and payment of NAMSS membership dues by WAMSS if the Chair’s employer does not pay.
III. Appointment of Chair Positions – Created a New Policy to document the procedure followed for filling open Chair positions on the Board of Directors. Creation of this policy resulted in renumbering of existing Policies III. through XIX.
IV. Procedure for Collection of Dues – updated Procedure to be consistent with current method and membership renewal notification dates.
XVI. Service Recognition Policy – Policy name was Service Award Policy. The type of recognition was changed and criteria was clarified to require consecutive membership years, not cumulative membership years. The supply of pins on hand will be presented to members holding 5-year membership intervals until the supply of pins is exhausted.
XVIII. WAMSS Publication – Updated WAMSS Website address to www.wi-wamss.org. The address was also corrected in the Bylaws.
All members are encouraged to read the WAMSS Policies and Procedures. Please contact [email protected] or any WAMSS Board of Directors member with comments or policy questions, we would be happy to get your input.
