THE VALUED VOICE

The appointment of WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice Ann Zenk to a state study committee on occupational licensing will create an opportunity for the association to provide a voice for Wisconsin hospitals and health systems and their recruits and employees on matters related to health care licensure challenges.

Wisconsin hospitals and health systems have been confronted with increasing staff vacancy rates in 2021 and 2022, making it more critical than ever to welcome health care professionals to the health care workforce and the state. Difficult to navigate application processes and licensure delays are not the welcome mat Wisconsin aims for. 
 
Zenk was among only five public members appointed to the 2022 Legislative Council Study Committee on Occupational Licenses. The study committee scope notes the committee is “directed to review the current occupational licensing system administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services … and shall recommend legislation on current credentials that may be eliminated, on systems for review of new and existing occupational credentials, and on the issuance of reciprocal credentials.”
 
In her workforce role, Zenk has interacted with many WHA members and with the Department of Safety and Professional Services to expedite health care licensure for individuals whose employment is being delayed while waiting for their Wisconsin license to be processed. These experiences by WHA members and WHA’s focus on licensure and workforce solutions will inform WHA’s contribution to the study committee. 
 
The committee is expected to first meet in August 2022, with the goal of recommending consensus, bipartisan legislation for consideration in the 2023-2024 legislative session.