WAMSS Newsletter - Summer 2025 
President's Report
Hello Summer and fellow WAMSS members! I hope that you are all finding some air-conditioned relief during this current heat wave. Summer has always been a time to slow down, enjoy the beauty of nature, soak up some rays, take a much-anticipated vacation, and spend time with friends and family. Unfortunately, as a Medical Staff Professional, summer is our busiest season with new graduates, Residents, and Fellows all wanting to start the day after graduation. While we know that’s not possible, it makes for a lot of good opportunities to educate our leadership on the credentialing process, including what the credentialing process entails and just how long it takes to get a provider credentialed. I encourage you to acknowledge these requests and turn them into educational opportunities. Don’t be afraid to show off the great work that you do!
I’d like to take a moment to announce the appointment of a new WAMSS Board member. Kalyn Safranski has taken over the position of Bylaws Chairperson. The primary role of the Bylaws Chairperson is addressing WAMSS Bylaws and Policy updates, monitor Bylaws and Policy changes initiated by NAMSS for impact on WAMSS, and update a yearly review of all changes made at the Annual Business Meeting during the conference each year. Interested in brushing up on the WAMSS Bylaws and Policies and Procedures? Click on this link to review them anytime: Bylaws and Policies. Congratulations Kalyn! We are so lucky to have you on the WAMSS Board and know you will do great things in the future!!
Welcome New Members
Please welcome the following new members who joined WAMSS in the second quarter of 2025:
Juli Ann Kotke
Ronda Martin
Tamara Peters
Brennan Porter
Marti Post
Jennifer Schultz
We currently have 137 WAMSS members. Who do you know that could benefit from a WAMSS membership? Please share the Membership page on the WAMSS website with them or reach out to our WAMSS Membership chair, Melissa Woodworth at [email protected] for more information.
Educational Opportunities
The WAMSS Board of Directors would like to provide a general overview of the 2025 Midwest Super Conference. The information below was obtained from the post conference survey.
Completed Surveys: 108 surveys were completed with a 57% completion rate.
Overall Conference Rating: 89% rated the conference at met and/or exceeded expectations.
Did you like the collaboration? 94% of those surveyed indicated they liked the collaboration between the two states. With 90% indicating they would like to see future collaboration.
How did you attend this year’s conference?
· 67% In Person
· 30% Virtual
· 4% Hybrid
2.5 Day Format – Did you like it?
· Yes: 88%
· No: 12%
Positive Comments:
- Location
- Networking
- Virtual option
- Subjects/subject matter knowledge
- # of CE’s
- Combined association efforts – refreshing approach
- The number of in-person attendees.
Topic Suggestions:
- Certification Prep
- APP’s
- Legal Topics
- DEA
- WHA State Licensing Board/Illinois State Licensing Board
- CAQH
- PECOS 2.0
- Provider based billing
- Membership vs Privileging
- Managing burnout
- State Representative presentations – questions and answers.
- Accreditation updates
- More provider enrollment
Here are a few costs associated with the conference.
- WI 45th Anniversary Celebration - $5,195.86
- Conference Food Costs - $28,407.98, which comes to about $270 per person
- Venue Room Rental Fee: $625.00
- Venue Exhibit Table Expense: $379.80
- Venue Right to Use Fee (AV): $1,520.50
- IT Support: $5,222.25
- Speaker Fees: $20,662.99
- Sponsorship: Collected $14,000 in sponsorship funds.
- Exhibitor: Collected $2,000 from our exhibitors.
Sometimes the committee needs to make tough decisions related to the food being offered. Here’s a few examples:
- Soda costs $4 a can plus, .98 for (24.5% service fee) plus, .27 (5.5% tax) = $5.25 a can.
- Coffee = $65.00 a gallon, $15.93 (24.5% service fee), 4.45 (5.5% tax) = $85.38 One gallon of coffee is approximately 16 8 oz cups.
- A break with coffee, tea, soda, bottled water, cookies, fruit, chips with dip, as well as vegetables and dips could cost approximately $72.25 per person.
We hope you find this information useful. Thank you to everyone that attended the conference and provided feedback, it helps us to continue making the conference better year after year!
NAMSS Updates
2025 NAMSS Conference
September 29 through October 1, 2025 - NAMSS 49th Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition in Portland, Oregon.
Newly NAMSS certified
Please join me in congratulating Christina Pellegrini and Ann Clement, as they passed their CPCS certification in Spring 2025! Are you interested in learning more about NAMSS certifications? Please click on the link to learn more about the types of NAMSS certifications available, exam dates and deadlines, etc.: Certification.
A new Facebook page has also been created called MSP Huddle (not affiliated with WAMSS or NAMSS) that may be able to assist you by joining a certification study group. See below for additional information:
We are excited to announce that MSP Huddle is preparing to launch FREE CPCS & CPMSM Certification Study Groups starting in Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026. These sessions are open to all MSPs across the country and will provide valuable support, resources, and connection during their certification journeys. This is a completely no-cost opportunity designed to uplift and empower MSPs nationwide (first come – first serve). To receive updates, session reminders, and access to materials, participants are encouraged to connect with MSP Huddle on Facebook.
Library Chair Corner
New Resources!
The following resources that have been added to the WAMSS Library are available for check-out! The resources are:
· Lead Right – Steve Ventura
· Smart Women Finish Rich – David Bach
· Straight A Leadership – Quint Studer
· The Big Book of Icebreakers – Edie West
Featured Authors at WAMSS/IAMSS Conference: Maggie Palmer, MSA, CPMSM, CPCS & Stephanie Russell, BS, CPMSN, CPCS
Attendees at the recent Wisconsin Association of Medical Staff Services (WAMSS) Conference were treated to sessions led by two of the field’s leaders—Maggie Palmer and Stephanie Russell. We are fortunate to have several of their publications available in our library ready to be checked out!
The Medical Staff Professionals Handbook – Anne Roberts and Maggie Palmer
This resource has become a go-to reference for medical staff professionals at all levels. Covering everything from credentialing and privileging to bylaws, regulations, and leadership development, this handbook offers a comprehensive, practical guide rooted in real-world experience.
Overcoming Contemporary Credentialing Challenges: Practical Strategies for MSPs and Medical Staff- Christine Mobley, Christina Giles and Maggie Palmer.
In today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment, MSPs face increasing demands—from new technologies to evolving accreditation standards. This book tackles those challenges head-on with forward-looking strategies and actionable solutions.
Verify & Comply: Credentialing, Medical Staff, and Ambulatory Care Standards – Stephanie Russell and Janet Wilson
This title offers critical guidance for aligning credentialing practices with current Joint Commission, NCQA, and CMS standards. With its side-by-side comparison charts, compliance checklists, and policy templates, this book has become an essential tool for MSPs working in hospitals, health systems, and ambulatory care settings alike.
To request a resource from the WAMSS Library email [email protected] and I will forward the requested materials to you. It is the borrower's responsibility to return the materials to the library within thirty (30) days.
Did You Know?
WAMSS friend and previous conference speaker Amber Giese from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provided some helpful links to recent DEA regulation updates and guidance information.
Registration Applications, Tools and Resources
Diversion Control Division | Registration
DEA Notices - https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/registration.html
Validation Tools & Order Form Requests - https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/registration.html
Local Registration Support:
Phone: (414) 336 7370
Email: [email protected]
Manual
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/GDP/(DEA-DC-071)(EO-DEA226)_Practitioner's_Manual_(final).pdf
Code of Federal Regulations – Parts 1300, et al
eCFR :: 21 CFR Chapter II -- Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice
United States Code (USC) – Title 21
https://uscode.house.gov/browse/prelim@title21/chapter13/subchapter1/partC&edition=prelim
Federal Register – DEA Notices
Advocacy
Whether you're new to the medical staff services profession or a seasoned expert, being a part of WAMSS means being connected to a network of professionals who truly understand your work—and are here to support each other. WAMSS is built by its members, for its members, and your involvement strengthens our community.
Here are the Top 10 Reasons to Be a WAMSS Member:
1. Professional Networking
Make meaningful connections with peers from across Wisconsin who share your challenges, goals, and passion for excellence.
2. Supportive Community
Get encouragement, advice, and insight from a community that genuinely wants to help you grow and succeed.
3. Leadership Opportunities
Step into a committee or leadership role—develop new skills, boost your résumé, and make an impact.
4. Certification Motivation
Whether you're pursuing your CPCS or CPMSM, our community can offer guidance and share what’s worked for them.
5. Stay Informed
Keep up with industry news, changes, and updates that affect your day-to-day and long-term planning.
6. Recognition and Awards
Be recognized for your contributions through member spotlights and awards that highlight the great work you're doing.
7. Annual Conference
Attend a valuable in-person event where you can learn, network, and return to work refreshed and inspired. Plan to attend in the fall of 2026!
8. Mentorship & Guidance
Need help or have questions? WAMSS members are approachable and eager to help each other out.
9. Lunch & Learn Sessions (Coming Soon!)
We're excited to introduce casual, knowledge-sharing sessions starting in 2025–2026. Stay tuned for topics and invites!
10. A Voice in the Profession
WAMSS gives you a platform to represent your role, advocate for the profession, and contribute to the future of medical staff services in Wisconsin.
Closing Thoughts
I’d like to end my summer newsletter with some closing quotes to consider on the importance of continual growth as an MSP leader:
· * Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. – Benjamin Franklin
· * Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. – Henry Ford
· * Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. – Albert Einstein
Is there something that you would like to see added to our quarterly newsletter? Have you learned something new over the past few months in your Medical Staff Professional or Provider Enrollment role? Our membership would love to learn from you! Articles can be 2-3 paragraphs long and would be a great addition to the newsletter. Please submit your article to me via email at [email protected].
Yours in humble service,
Maggie Fuchs, CPMSM, CPCS
WAMSS President
