Earlier this month State Representative Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) toured the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Eye Institute as part of the WAO’s Capitol Connection program. This WAO grassroots advocacy program aims to connect WAO physician members with their local state legislators to show them firsthand the importance of ophthalmology and medical eye care.
Neylon, who was joined on the tour by Senate President Chris Kapenga’s (R-Delafield) top policy staff member, had an opportunity to interact with numerous MCW ophthalmologists, discuss cutting-edge medical eye care research and procedures, and tour nearly every aspect of the Eye Institute, including scientific research spaces and surgery facilities. In addition, WAO members, including WAO Board Member Dr. Baseer Ahmad and Dr. Deborah Costakos, briefed the legislative guests on the mission of the Eye Institute and the stark difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists as it relates to an ophthalmologist’s education and training and the types of procedures and services they provide.
According to the WAO Government Affairs Team, the tour “provided a great opportunity to host Rep. Neylon and legislative staff to showcase the MCW Eye Institute and illustrate how ophthalmologists deliver critical medical eye care to patients in Wisconsin and beyond. Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Costakos did a tremendous job facilitating the tour, which appeared to have a significant impact on the legislative visitors.”
Neylon, who was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in an April 2013 special election, represents the 98th Assembly District, which includes a large portion of Waukesha County, including the village of Pewaukee and a part of the City of Waukesha. Neylon currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, which is tasked with reviewing proposed and existing state agency rules to determine if they conform with state law.
As the MCW Eye Institute tour illustrated, hosting a legislator at your site is easy, enjoyable, and can make a significant advocacy impact. If you would like to host a legislative tour at your site, please contact the WAO office at wao@badgerbay.co. We will work with you and your legislators to coordinate the meetings and will provide participating members with full support, including legislator bios, advocacy tips, issue briefings, and supporting documents.
