Lou Ann Weix
For State Assembly
Biography
Lou Ann is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin. She was raised on a farm outside of Abbotsford, Wisconsin in Marathon County. Lou Ann was active in 4-H exhibiting her projects at local fairs. During her senior year in high school she had the honor of being crowned Athens Fair Queen. Her years at Abbotsford high school found her active in band, National Honor Society and multiple other clubs. She graduated as Salutatorian of her 1968 high school class.
Lou Ann furthered her education by entering the nursing profession. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1971. She pursued her general nursing career for 5 years before returning to St. Francis School of Nurse Anesthesia, graduating in 1978. While working as a nurse anesthetist, she continued her educational pursuits by completing a BSN in Nursing with a Business Minor from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, graduating with cum laude honors in 1985.
In 1970, Lou Ann married her husband, Larry. Lou Ann and her husband have resided in the Village of Howard for the past 30 years, where they have raised three sons, Craig, Joel, and Ryan. Craig is a cardiovascular ICU nurse, Joel, a student in automotive technology, and Ryan a senior at Bay Port high school.
For the past 30 years, Lou Ann has practiced as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and has been active in the Wisconsin Association of Nurse Anesthetists (WANA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). She held many positions in the WANA including state president, government relations chair, and public relations chair. Lou Ann worked with fellow nurses and key Wisconsin legislators to forge legislation that allowed nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners to prescribe medications within their scope of practice (APNP). Lou Ann has worked extensively educating state and national legislators regarding the practice of nursing and nurse anesthetists.
Last year, Lou Ann was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate.
Lou Ann is active in the Howard-Suamico Optimists, League of Women Voters, District Nurses Association and St. John’s Church. She has a long history of community involvement and a proven record of working with diverse groups to improve the quality of life for residents of the Green Bay area and the state of Wisconsin.
With her background in healthcare and business, she is uniquely equipped to address the economic challenges that our state faces. These challenges range from an uncertain job market to rising energy and health costs. By electing more nurses there would be a blend of new voices and sound thinking which will provide the opportunity to move forward a knowledge-based economy. This type of economy would offer better long-term opportunities for education, health care, employment, and the environment. Addressing complicated issues related to healthcare requires new ideas, will power and a willingness to compromise.
