The Wisconsin Arthritis Program is one of the Wisconsin Division of Public Health’s chronic disease prevention programs.  The program provides statewide leadership for arthritis prevention, control and management.  Its primary activities are to:

• Collect and analyze data on the burden of arthritis and its complications on Wisconsin residents.

• Coordinate statewide arthritis-related activities through its partnership with the Arthritis Foundation– Wisconsin Chapter and the  Wisconsin Arthritis Action Council network.

• Implement the Wisconsin Arthritis Action Plan through collaboration with its partners.

• Support community-based interventions that have been proven effective in reducing arthritis pain, disability and costs

Great things are happening in 2010! The Wisconsin Arthritis Program was able to purchase some radio spots to promote the 800# for the Living Well with Chronic Conditions, Stepping On, and AF Exercise Programs.  Check out the links that take you to the site the marketing firm that has created for the classes as well as the 30 second radio that will be aired the weeks of January 4th and 18th, 2010.

• Chronic Conditions Classes 
• 30-Second Radio Spot

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Arti Berry has been elected the new Chair to the Wisconsin Arthritis Action Council.

The Wisconsin Arthritis Program and Milwaukee Area Health Education Center have both had the privilege of working with Arti in her past capacity as a Community Health Intern.  Arti was the main author on the four Policy Inventories that the Program published and rolled out at the June 4th Arthritis Summit.  Arti comes to the Council with an  undergraduate degree in Homeopathic medicine and surgery.  She is currently in the final year of work towards a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy.  She has completed fieldwork in geriatrics, pediatrics, inpatient rehab and is currently doing fieldwork in the specialty area of hands. She was the President of Pi Theta, the honor society of Occupational Therapy graduate students at Mount Mary College and recipient of the American Occupational Therapists Association’s scholarship award in 2009.  Arti has completed the “Living  Well” training.  And has been an active member of Wisconsin Arthritis Action Council. She has a strong interest in working with Arthritis patients and helping them live their life to the fullest.

Ms. Berry and Anne Kissack, Arthritis Program Coordinator, will be planning the next Council meeting for early 2010 soon. We are excited to have proposed work group’s based on the 2009-2014 State Plan.  Please keep you eyes open for meeting requests.

Out going Chair:
 
On behalf of the Wisconsin Arthritis Program and the members of the Wisconsin Arthritis Action Council, we would like to extend our gratitude to Renae Sieling for her strong, thoughtful leadership and dedication as Chair from 2005-2009.  She has a true passion for improving the quality of life for people with arthritis in Wisconsin. We appreciate the support of Wisconsin's Education Association (WEA) Trust as Ms. Sieling's employer.  WEA Trust has placed a value on statewide public health efforts to address chronic disease.  As this is a volunteer position, we would also like to thank Ms. Sieling's family for "lending" her to the council during her terms.
 
Ms. Sieling has guided the success of many activities of the council during her two consecutive terms including;

• Making the business case for Arthritis

• Enhancing council member options for networking and involvement through implementing videoconferencing technology at statewide meetings

• Implementing a professional and public education event in Chippewa county in partnership with the Chippewa County Department of Health and UW Superior Department of Continuing Education

• Developing the State Plan for Arthritis 2009-2013

• Implementing a statewide Arthritis Leadership Summit to bring stakeholders together and motivate for action around the new state plan and acting as the representative for the Council in supporting applications for funding the Wisconsin Arthritis Program.

We look forward to learning from Renae in her continued involvement with the Wisconsin Arthritis Action Council. 

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