Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

JANUARY 2014 Page 4A • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove Key industries discussed at Business Alliance event ProHealth Care joins Dean Health network By Kirsten Klahn Special to The Freeman WAUKESHA – ProHealth Care has signed an agreement to add its hospitals, clinics and physicians to the Madison-based Dean Health Plan. Dean Health sells group and individual insurance in south-central Wisconsin with 400,000 members in 20 counties. Dean serves roughly 2,000 commercial members in Waukesha County said Pete , Thompson, strategic marketing manager for Dean. The agreement will help the insurance provider expand its reach and provide more residents with access to its insurance plans, he said. ProHealth CEO Susan Edwards, in a statement, said the organization is excited to join Dean's network. "Families purchasing Dean insurance through an employer, an agent or the new health insurance marketplace will now have in-network access to our complete continuum of care, including Waukesha County's largest group of primary care physicians," she said. Waukesha County residents can now access the lowestcost option available to ProHealth providers by looking for Dean Health Plan on the health insurance marketplace, Thompson said. For example, he said, in the silver plan, the Dean Health/ProHealth plan is one of the cheapest in its tier. The Dean agreement also includes specialty physicians who practice as members of ProHealth's medical group as well as independent physician practices that are part of ProHealth. Solutions, which is ProHealth's accountable care organization. "The addition to the Dean Health Plan network of all of ProHealth's physicians plus Waukesha Memorial and other facilities ensures that we are offering unparalleled access to care at affordable prices to individuals and fam- ilies in Waukesha County ," said Lon Sprecher, CEO of Dean Health Plan. ProHealth Care has 90 primary-care physicians who practice at 16 clinics in Waukesha and Jefferson counties. ProHealth's hospitals Waukesha Memorial, Oconomowoc Memorial and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin also are included. Thompson said Dean's expansion adds a high-quality , cost-effective coordinated care network to compete with the broad network products in the region's insurance market. The agreement between ProHealth and Dean became effective. ProHealth care can be accessed in the online health insurance marketplace at www.healthcare.gov, as well as www.deancare.com/quickquote or through local independent insurance agents. Established in 1983, Dean Health Plan is the insurance services subsidiary of SSM Health Care. Manufacturing, food and beverage, IT and water represented on panel By Arthur Thomas Freeman Staff BROOKFIELD – Business leaders from around Waukesha County met recently to hear perspectives on several of Wisconsin's key industries during a Waukesha County Business Alliance breakfast at the Brookfield Sheraton. Gov. Scott Walker delivered the event's keynote address and then representatives from advanced manufacturing, food and beverage, information technology and water participated in a panel discussion. Walker touted improvements in job and business creation and asked the crowd to "share the message." "There's no doubt about it, things have changed here," Walker said, adding that being open for business has to be about more than putting up a sign or banner. He said it has shown how the state has improved. "We're not perfect yet," he said, but emphasized he is optimistic about the state's prospects. Walker also chimed in on each of the areas represented by the panelists. All speakers also touched on the importance of education. Walker touted a dual enrollment program at Waukesha County Technical College, and panelists noted that their companies can spend over $60,000 in training employees. 235737001 Advanced manufacturing Kent Lorenz, president of the Midwest Region of Ellison Technologies, stressed the role manufacturing plays in daily life. He also described the jobs created by manufacturing industries. Lorenz noted the importance of manufacturing in Wisconsin's economy At the . end of World War II, roughly a third of the country worked in manufacturing, he said. Today it is about 11 per- Submitted photo Kent Lorenz of Ellison Technologies, left, and Richard Leinenkugel of Tenth and Blake/Leinenkugel Brewing Co. during the panel discussion at the Waukesha County Business Alliance's Key Industries for Job Growth meeting. cent, but Wisconsin remains close to 20 percent. He echoed the governor's point that the state needs graduates from both technical schools and four-year universities. Both are needed for innovation, he said. Epic, to medium to small startups. Chang said technology presents great potential for the state, but there is something missing. "We have a huge lack of leadership and cohesiveness in the technology sectors Food and beverage here," she said. Chang continued that Walker said many people think of Wisconsin as Ameri- more needs to be done in ca's dairyland, but it is easy companies of all sizes to understand the power techto forget how many other nology holds. food and beverage-related She said not every compaindustries the state does well ny can afford to recruit and in. Richard Leinenkugel, busi- hire students right out of school. In her view, more ness development manager companies should reinvest at Tenth and Blake Beer in their own workforces. Company said there are , "In some areas, we don't many support industries for really have a lack of skilled food manufacturing. He said workers; we have a lack of the table is set for the state skill-aligned workers for to see success in the induswhat you need today she ," try and southeastern Wis, said. consin is particularly well situated within the upperWater Midwest because of access to Paul Jones, executive transportation. chairman of A.O. Smith and He said there is a strong co-chair of The Global Water trend toward localization in Council, said while the the industry with people , region has a number of comwanting to track their food panies involved in water, not from farm to fork. many of them actually com"I think that is a tremenpete. dous thing that we can capi"What we are doing in that talize on here in Wisconsin," building is collaboration," he he said. said. One audience member Information technology asked how the council could Tina Chang, CEO of Sysbe replicated in other indusLogic, noted that informatries. tion technology is a broad Jones said it was imporindustry stretching from the tant for leaders of private . physical wires to digital companies to get together to marketing strategies. The get things started. The state or local governments should governor also spoke about stay on the sidelines until the industry's breadth, notlater in the process, he said. ing Wisconsin has companies that range from the very Email: athomas@conleynet.com large, like Madison-based New Berlin Each of us is as unique as our thumbprint… At Linden Court–New Berlin, we understand that. Exams/Restorative Care Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening Implants Crowns • Bridges White Fillings Limited Orthodontics Root Canal Treatment LindenGrove.org Call Christine Roeder, R.N. Manager (262) 796-3660 13705 W. Fieldpointe Dr New Berlin Dr. Grams Newly-opened on the LindenGrove–New Berlin campus Get to know us at our newly remodeled office. NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Professional Cleaning Comprehensive Exam Cavity Detecting X-Rays Free Second Opinion Additional charges may apply if gum disease is present. Valid only with coupon. Delta Dental Premier & PPO In-Network Providers 89 $ In-Network Provider For Most Dental Plans www.BrightSmiles.net 262-754-2727 236044003 ids All Hearing A and in in Stock. Stop ours leave with y today! All Services Listed are Included In the Galleria West Shopping Center 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Ste. 218, Brookfield 236134001 • • • • With This Coupon Expires 1/31/14 House Calls Now Available! Full hearing service in the comfort of your own home. Elm Grove 15280 Bluemound Rd, Elm Grove, WI (414) 375-2102 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm 236060003 • • • • • • • •

• Cover