March 5, 2024

Regional & Divisional News

Click to see what's happening locally:

• WI Central Region
• MI Region
• WI North Division
• WI Northeast Division
• WI Northwest Division
• WI South Region
• MN Region (St. Luke’s)

Don't know your region or division?

Click the map to find out.

In This Edition

• Aspirus & St. Luke's Complete Affiliation
• Aspirus Health Foundation: Employee & Provider Giving Campaign
• March 13 Go-Live: Request Chart Changes in Epic
• Youth Mental Health
• Wellness Webinar: Health Plan Premium Discount
• Fact vs. Myth
• Well-Being Spotlight: Nutrition Month
• Win a Nutrition Month Prize
• Chronic Pelvic Pain

Aspirus and St. Luke’s Complete Affiliation, Become Combined Organization

As of March 1, Aspirus and St. Luke's have completed the affiliation process and are now a combined organization. We thank everyone involved in this journey and look forward to building a health system that will champion the future of health care.

Click the video to hear Aspirus President & CEO Matt Heywood talk more about what this affiliation means for Aspirus.

Aspirus Health Foundation

Employee & Provider Giving Campaign

System-wide campaign runs throughout March

All employees and medical staff members received a personal email on March 1 with a link inviting you to make a personal, tax-deductible gift to an area you care about.

The “Together as One” campaign supports Aspirus programs, services, patients and communities. Together we can enhance the health and well-being of our patients, colleagues and community.

New This Year! Contribute $2 per pay period ($52 annually) and participate in Aspirus Health Foundation jean days and/or Aspirus logo wear every Friday in March, April and May.

Watch the video below to see reasons employees and clinicians throughout Aspirus choose to give.

Every gift helps. Thank you for participating and making a difference!

Request Chart Corrections in Epic

March 13 go-live

Starting March 13, when a chart correction is needed and you cannot correct the documentation yourself, send the Chart Integrity team an In Basket message using the new Chart Corrections menu button.

Why?

Using this quick button to submit a message directly to HIM will save you time and keep the needed chart correction work in Epic.

What do I need to do differently?

Clinicians can use the Manual Chart Correction guides to correct their own documentation. These guides can be found on the new Chart Corrections Learning Pathway.

For complex chart corrections involving multiple clinicians or departments, use the Chart Correction (Cht Cor) button in the Epic Toolbar. Complete the fields in the message, selecting the Type of problem will generate the body of the message with questions to be addressed.

Learn the expected workflow here: Submit Epic Chart Correction Request.

For other Epic issues, use the IT help button to submit a ticket, or call the Aspirus Service Desk.

Youth Mental Health

Youth mental health is more important now than ever. World Teen Wellness Day was March 2. It serves as an opportunity to help create a world where mental health is prioritized, stigma is eradicated, and every young person feels supported and understood. 

Watch this video featuring Aspirus Licensed Professional Counselor Rick Satterthwaite for suggestions on how you can help young people in your community.

Addressing Youth Mental Health with Art

Click here to read about how Raise Your Voice and RISEUP Central Wisconsin are collaborating to empower youth and provide them with avenues for expression and support. Aspirus has a relationship with both organizations and aims to capitalize on a collaborative approach to help address a growing issue. 

“We’re leveraging the power of art to facilitate healing and dialogue around mental health by creating a mural about mental health,” says Aspirus System Community Health & Health Equity Director Tara Draeger.

Wellness Webinar: March 12

Learn about the Health Plan Premium Discount Wellness Program

Fact vs. Myth

2024 Health Plan Premium Discount Wellness Program

Thank you to everyone who participated in our weekly wellness trivia. Remember, you have until March 31 to complete the first step to earn your Health Plan Premium Discount. Click here to learn more (“Health Plan Discount” tab).

Week 4 Prize Winners

Fact or Myth? Most people who start the Health Plan Premium Discount Wellness Program are not able to complete the program to improve their well-being and earn the incentive.

Answer: MYTH! An impressive 85% of people who start our program complete it. In 2023, more than 3,500 participants completed the program for a grand total of over $2,170,000 in savings!

Everyone who answered correctly was entered into a random drawing for 500 Rewards & Recognition points. Congratulations to:

• Tashiena Aschenbach, Aspirus Iron River
• Aaron Gehrke, Aspirus Rhinelander
• Cassie Lambrecht, Aspirus Wausau Clinic - N 3rd Street
• Randal Rougeux, Aspirus Stevens Point
• Kim Zimmerman, Aspirus Divine Savior

What participants have to say about our Wellness program:

• “Easy-to-follow activities. Obtainable goals. Enjoyed the program.”
• “The monetary incentive is a good motivator to stay on top of health goals.”

Important deadlines

Don’t miss these deadlines for the wellness program. Employees and their covered spouses or domestic partners enrolled in the Aspirus Employee Health Plan can earn a significant discount on their health insurance premium for 2025 by completing the steps below.

Vitals Screening Events

Click here to view current Vitals Screening Events. Attend one of these events to obtain your non-lab biometric readings (height, weight, blood pressure, and an optional waist circumference) for participation in the 2024 Aspirus Health Plan Wellness Program.

To complete a fasting blood draw to collect full lipid (cholesterol) panel and glucose, schedule an employee biometric lab appointment via MyAspirus. Make sure to follow the correct process.

You can also complete your biometrics by submitting your results from a primary care provider visit. Learn more here.

Click here for full details about the 2024 Wellness Program.

Well-Being Spotlight

Embrace the Power of Nutrition

At Aspirus Health, we have a genuine interest in your well-being. We encourage you to take advantage of the platinum-award-winning offerings and resources available to support you as a valuable member of our Aspirus team.

Click the images below to open a clickable PDF featuring actions you can take during National Nutrition Month® to amp up your nutrition.

Enter to Win a Nutrition Month Prize: Week 1

Each Tuesday in March, the Aspirus News Now will feature a nutrition trivia question.

Answer the question correctly and you'll be entered into a drawing for a prize. 

True or False? Half of our plate or bowl should be filled with vegetables and fruit.

Women Don't Need to Live with Chronic Pelvic Pain

Endometriosis is a prevalent but often misunderstood condition that affects millions of women worldwide. If you're struggling with pelvic pain or suspect endometriosis, don't wait. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing symptoms and enhancing your well-being.

In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Aspirus Gynecologist Dr. Joelle Wennlund recently sat down to share important information on identifying this painful condition.

Visit the Aspirus Media Center for other recent stories featuring Aspirus experts.

Remember to Check Out Your Local News

Click the links below for your region/division to see what's happening locally.

Regional & Divisional News

• WI Central Region
• MI Region
• WI North Division
• WI Northeast Division
• WI Northwest Division
• WI South Region
• MN Region (St. Luke’s)

Don't know your region or division?

Click the map to find out.