SEAK’s Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference – Informative Sessions

SEAK’s Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference distinguishes itself by the quality of its speakers.  We employ a rigorous selection process to bring in thought leaders who are both excellent presenters and free from conflicts of interest.  SEAK’s Conference benefits from its interdisciplinary approach to education.  Our diverse attendees of occupational nurses, case managers, employers, physicians, and attorneys are able to learn from our equally diverse faculty.

We feature 11 general session presentations, 21 targeted breakout sessions and several full day preconferences.

Dr. Hyman will discuss the mixed messages employees are provided with regard to what is in their medical best interest. He will explain the benefits of work and the best way to communicate this to the injured worker. Dr. Hyman will review the concepts of risk, capacity and tolerance, and return to work. Dr. Hyman will provide best practices and tools for the successful return to work of injured workers.

Mark H. Hyman, MD, FACP, FIAIME is an internist with more than 25 years of experience in medical-legal evaluations and is head of HymanHealth, which is located in Los Angeles, California. A nationally recognized disability expert, Dr. Hyman provides medical-legal evaluations spanning the continuum of internal medicine for a wide variety of legal and insurance organizations. He has evaluated thousands of workers’ compensation patients around the country – from NFL players to everyday workers – providing credible and thorough diagnoses, depositions and documentation, often using the state-of-science technology found in his office. Dr. Hyman is a chapter author and editor for numerous American Medical Association (AMA) books including: A Physician’s Guide to Return to Work, Guides to Disease and Injury Causation, Guides to Functional Capacity Evaluations, Guides Transition Book, Guides to Navigating Disability Benefit Systems, Guides 6th edition and accompanying Internal Medicine Workbook. Dr. Hyman has received acclaim for his contributions to the medical world. In 2009, WebMD selected Dr. Hyman for its annual “Health Heroes” award. In addition, the City of Los Angeles recognized his involvement with the LA Police Department related to developing police arrest procedures.

9:50–10:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

10:00–10:50 How to Identify, Evaluate, and Manage High Exposure and Catastrophic Workers’ Compensation Cases

Attorney Colburn will discuss how to identify claims that have the potential for being high exposure/catastrophic workers’ compensation claims. He will demonstrate, with examples, how to use investigation, surveillance, intensive review of prior medical records, job restrictions, social media, and other techniques and strategies to defend high exposure claims. Attorney Colburn will review the biggest mistakes employers, insurers, and self insurers make in these cases and how to avoid them.

Stuart Colburn, Esq. is a shareholder and workers’ compensation trial attorney in the Austin office of Downs Stanford. He is board certified in workers’ compensation by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Atty. Colburn routinely handles workers’ compensation, non-subscriber, subrogation, and bad faith litigation. Mr. Colburn is the current Course Director of the State Bar of Texas Advanced Workers’ Compensation Seminar and the Texas Workers’ Compensation Forum. He is the only Texas attorney serving on the LexisNexis Advisory Board and blogs weekly on workers’ compensation issues. He is extremely active in the education of both adjusters and employers and is certified by the Texas Department of Insurance as a continuing education provider. A sought-after speaker, Mr. Colburn has delivered more than five hundred speeches regarding workers’ compensation around the country.

10:50–11:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

11:00–12:00 Health, Wellness, and Productivity

Dr. Goetzel will explain, with examples, how to build a culture of workplace health and wellness cost-effectively while at the same time increasing productivity. He will discuss the use and misuse of incentives, a value-on-investment metric, and building and maintaining a comprehensive, multi-component evidence based health promotion program. Dr. Goetzel will offer practical advice and the key essential elements for building workplace health, wellness, and productivity.

Ron Goetzel, PhD is Senior Scientist and Director of the Institute for Health and Productivity Studies (IHPS) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Vice President of Consulting and Applied Research for IBM Watson Health. The mission of the IHPS is to bridge the gap between academia, the business community, and the healthcare policy world – bringing academic resources into policy debates and day-to-day business decisions, and bringing health and productivity management issues into academia. Before moving to Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Goetzel was on the faculty at Emory and Cornell Universities. Dr. Goetzel is responsible for leading innovative projects for healthcare purchaser, managed care, government, and pharmaceutical clients interested in conducting cutting-edge research focused on the relationship between health and well-being, medical costs, and work-related productivity. He is an internationally recognized and widely published expert in health and productivity management (HPM), return-on-investment (ROI), program evaluation, and outcomes research. Dr. Goetzel has published well over 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and frequently presents at international business and scientific forums.

12:00–1:15 LUNCH (PROVIDED WITH FACULTY) & EXHIBITS

1:15–2:15 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. Occupational Knee Injuries: Latest Developments

Dr. Pepe will review the most common occupational knee injuries. He will discuss, and demonstrate with video, common knee procedures, new technologies in knee treatment and the common pitfalls in treatment and recovery. Dr. Pepe will explain possible reasons for delayed recovery, realistic return to work expectations, use of physical therapy, and will offer practical suggestions for best practices for treatment of occupational knee injuries.

Matthew Pepe, MD is a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with Rothman Institute who specializes in Sports Medicine, particularly, shoulder, knee, and elbow reconstruction. He completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and went on to complete his fellowship in both Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Pepe is an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and is on staff at Virtua Voorhees and Atlanticare Regional Medical Center. Dr. Pepe is one of the Team Orthopaedic Surgeons for the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as Stockton College. He is active in clinical research and has authored numerous peer reviewed articles and book chapters.

B. OSHA Latest Developments: For Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Professionals

Attorney Cordaro will discuss the latest OSHA developments and regulatory action and how it will impact workers’ compensation and occupational health professionals. She will discuss changes under the Trump Administration, as well as OSHA’s new rule requiring the electronic submission of injury and illness recordkeeping forms. Ms. Cordaro will offer practical advice on OSHA, recordability, compliance, and best practices.

Tressi L. Cordaro, Esq. is a Principal in the Washington, D.C. Region office of Jackson Lewis PC. She is Co-Leader of the firm’s Workplace Safety & Health Practice Group. Ms. Cordaro advises and represents employers on occupational safety and health matters before federal and state OSHA enforcement agencies. She has advised employers faced with willful and serious citations as the result of catastrophic events and fatalities, including citations involving multi-million dollar penalties. Ms. Cordaro’s approach to representing an employer cited by OSHA is to seek an efficient resolution of contested citations, reserving litigation as the option if the client’s business objectives cannot otherwise be achieved. As a result, she has secured OSHA withdrawals of citations without the need for litigation. Prior to a career in private practice, Ms. Cordaro worked for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developing standards and interpretation letters and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) where she was the Chairman’s chief legal counsel, a role in which she analyzed all cases presented to the OSHRC. Ms. Cordaro is also one of the editors of the OSHA Law Blog (www.oshalawblog.com) which was recently nominated for The Expert Institute’s Best Legal Blog Contest.

C. How to Get the Most Out of Your FCE

Ms. Galper will explain how and when to request an FCE and what information/records the FCE examiner needs to proceed efficiently and effectively. She will discuss, with examples, what factors impact the claimant’s performance and how to interpret statements about performance including the terms: valid, invalid, submaximal, consistent, and abnormal behaviors. Ms. Galper will offer what the excellent FCE report should contain.

Jill Galper, PT, M.Ed. is VP of clinical program development at IMX. Ms. Galper received her BS in Physical Therapy, from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s Degree in exercise physiology from Temple University. Ms. Galper oversees the clinical aspects of the IMX national Functional Capacity Evaluation Testing Program. She performs Job Analyses, Ergonomic Assessments and performs FCEs throughout the states of DE, NJ and PA. She provides injury prevention training programs to local employers. Ms. Galper is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is currently participating in the revision of the APTA’s Guidelines for Evaluating Functional Capacity. Ms. Galper is Co-author and Co-editor of “Guide to the Evaluation of Functional Ability”-Published by AMA Press in 2009. She wrote, “Physical Therapy treatment and the Impact of Behavioral Health Concerns” in Behavioral Health Disability. Ms. Galper is a guest lecturer for the physical therapy program at Rutgers University.

2:15–2:25 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

2:25–3:25 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. Chiropractic Best Practices

Professor Maiers will discuss rehabilitative exercise and spinal manipulation as cornerstones of chiropractic care. She will explain how the delivery of evidence-based chiropractic care has been shown to result in less disability compared to physician-directed usual care for acute back pain, compared to physician therapy or physician services for work-related low back pain. She will review the use of chiropractic care as a front line nonpharmacologic intervention for treating neck and back pain. Professor Maiers will discuss five best practices for patients in the care of back pain offered from the American Chiropractic Association and Choosing Wisely. Professor Maiers will offer practical, effective, chiropractic best practices.

Michele Maiers, DC, MPH, PhD is a professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University as well as its executive director of research and innovation. She received her BS and DC from Northwestern College of Chiropractic, her MPH from the University of Minnesota, and her PhD from the Institute of Sports Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics at the University of Southern Denmark. Professor Maiers has conducted extensive research and written prolifically on spinal manipulative therapy, rehabilitative exercises, and evidence based chiropractic care as front line non-pharmacological interventions for treatment neck and back pain. Professor Maiers is a fellow, International College of Chiropractors, and a Minnesota delegate, American Chiropractic Association.

B. Integrative Medicine for Occupational Health and Workers’ Compensation

Dr. Golden McAndrew will discuss alternative, complementary, and integrative medicine and their use in occupational health and workers’ compensation. She will review best practices and cost-effectiveness of acupressure, acupuncture, essential oils, biofeedback, chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, herbs, vitamins, supplements, special diets, and massage. Dr. Golden McAndrew will offer practical advice for the use of integrative medicine in occupational and workers’ compensation practice.

Dr. Kathleen Golden McAndrew, DNP, ANP, COHN-S, FAAOHN, FAANP is board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and an Occupational Health Nurse Specialist with over 22 years’ experience as a primary health provider and over 30 years of experience in the specialty of Occupational and Environment Health. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in public health leadership from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her Master’s degree in Adult Primary care with a concentration in Occupational and Environment Health from Simmons College in Boston. She is a fellow with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Before joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Dr. Golden McAndrew has held faculty appointments at Dartmouth College Medical School, the University of Massachusetts Boston College of Nursing and Health Sciences and adjunct positions at other New England colleges and universities. Her professional interests include interdisciplinary healthcare practice models, integrative medicine, and outcomes based research.

C. Fighting FMLA Abuse

Attorney Saginario will explain, with examples, the most common and costly ways employees abuse FMLA. He will review: doctor shopping, Monday/Friday illness, “extending vacations”, etc. Attorney Saginario will provide tools for fighting abuse, including: monitoring social media, medical certifications, second opinions, transfers to alternate positions, and call-in procedures. He will provide practical suggestions for employers in creating and enforcing FMLA policies and practices.

Carmen Saginario Jr., Esq. focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling. He regularly counsels clients on litigation avoidance, personnel policies and procedures including those associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act and Fair Labor Standards Act, employment discipline, layoffs and other terminations. Atty. Saginario directs and participates in internal investigations involving claims of harassment, policy violations, ethics and other employment issues. He also appears on behalf of private and public sector clients before the judiciary as well as State and Federal administrative agencies (EEOC, N.J. Division on Civil Rights, etc.). Atty. Saginario served as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey and Assistant Counsel to Governor Thomas H. Kean.

3:25–3:35 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

3:35–4:35 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. Managing the Opioid Crisis: Solutions That Work

Dr. Silverman will discuss the current opioid crisis, both prescription and illicit along with the solutions proposed. He will present data on overdose deaths, WC utilization data on opioids (from a pharmacy benefit manager), ramifications of guidelines and statutory solutions. Dr. Silverman will explain with examples CDC guidelines, other organizational guidelines, political solutions. He will offer solutions to the opioid crisis including know your state law, you may not have a choice in how to prescribe or tx, recommend how to reduce the Maximum Morphine Equivalent (MME )dosing and provide some exit strategies. Dr. Silverman will provide practical suggestions on how employers, insurers and self-insurers can screen claimants for risk factors of abuse, monitor patients on opioids, provide alternative to opioid therapy.

Sanford Silverman, MD has been in private practice of Pain and Addiction Medicine for over 26 years. In addition, he is medical director for Compassionate Care Clinics of America. He is board certified in anesthesiology, with added qualifications in Pain Management from the American Board of Anesthesiology and a Diplomate in Pain Medicine from the American Board of Pain Medicine. Dr. Silverman has also lectured nationally on topics including interventional pain management, controlled substance management and addiction issues, prescription drug abuse, and in forensic medicine. Dr. Silverman is the director of the Controlled Substance Management course, for the American Society of Interventional Physicians (ASIPP) which is a core requirement for board certification in Interventional Pain Medicine. He is also the director of the Safe Opioid Prescribing Course for the Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (FSIPP). Dr. Silverman also served on the United Way of Broward County, Commission on Substance Abuse, Board of Governors, 9/13/2010 – 12/2016 Dr. Silverman is section editor; controlled substances for the journal, Pain Physician, and a contributing author to Official Disability Guidelines, widely utilized in the Workers Compensation system.

B. Creating Sustainable Injury Prevention and Intervention Program

Ms. Denman will present the key components necessary for a cost-effective injury prevention and intervention program. She will discuss how to stay within regulatory guidelines, pitfalls which result in OSHA citations, and best practices for development and delivery of a cost-effective program. Ms. Denman will provide case studies and practical suggestions for success.

Sheila Denman, MA, MS, PT is the Senior Vice President for ATI Worksite Solutions, a national provider of Onsite Early Intervention and Occupational programs. Since 1992, Ms. Denman has specialized in all elements of industrial injury prevention and early intervention as well as ergonomic consulting. Ms. Denman has developed and implemented fully integrated onsite occupational medicine programs, strongly focused on early detection, intervention and resolution utilizing “tools” available through first aid. In June of 2017 Ms. Denman was awarded an Honorary Membership in the NATA! Honorary Membership is granted to professionals who have displayed a strong devotion to sports medicine, athlete care and the athletic training profession. Ms. Denman is a dynamic speaker and presents frequently on the national level.

C. Investigating and Defending Chronic and Pre-existing Conditions: What Works

Attorney Bloomburg will discuss and demonstrate, with examples, best practices for investigating and defending chronic and pre-existing conditions. He will explain symptoms v. disease, degenerative conditions, and the worsening of these conditions. Atty. Bloomburg will offer practical suggestions for employers, insurers, and self insurers for successfully defending these workers’ compensation cases.

Stephen S. Bloomburg, Esq. is a Principal in the workers’ compensation department of Post & Schell, P.C. in the Firm’s Pittsburgh office. He received his BA from the University of Pittsburgh and his JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Attorney Bloomburg represents employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He also specializes in representing the airline industry, including the representation of national and regional airline carriers, aircraft and avionics manufacturers and businesses servicing the inflight and ground operations of the airline industry. He has lectured for both the National Business Institute and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute on workers’ compensation issues.

4:45–6:00 WELCOME RECEPTION

CONFERENCE PROGRAM: THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018, DAY 2

7:00–8:00 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND EXHIBITS

8:00–8:50  Initial Care for Work Injuries: Does it Make a Difference?

Dr. Pransky will discuss how the first health care encounter can have an impact in workers’ comp injuries – both good and bad – and how we can use this knowledge to improve outcomes. He will review objective scientific studies, practical experience, and the results of innovative interventions that focus on the initial encounter.

Dr. Pransky is an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and a Visiting Lecturer at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Massachusetts/Lowell. He founded the Center for Disability Research at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute in 1999, and currently works with Liberty as a Scientific Advisor. His research has focused on scientific investigations of disability prevention strategies, enhancing recovery in musculoskeletal disorders, work disability in older workers, and practical methods to achieve safe and sustained return to work. He has published over 125 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and has delivered numerous keynote addresses at international conferences.   He received the NIOSH Innovative Research Award in 2008, the American College of Occupational Medicine’s Keogh Award for Academic Excellence in 2009, and Royal Society of Medicine’s Osler Medal in 2011, and the ACOEM Health Excellence Award in 2015.   Dr. Pransky received his M.D. from Tufts School of Medicine, and a MS in occupational health from the Harvard School of Public Health, a fellowship in health services research and policy at the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. He is board-certified in occupational medicine and internal medicine. He co-founded and chaired the Work Disability Prevention Scientific Committee of the International Commission on Occupational Health and is a senior editor for the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.

8:50–9:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

9:00–9:50 Standing Firm: Workplace Solutions for Opiate and Marijuana Use and Abuse

Thomas Eden III, Esq. will discuss the workplace risks of opiates and marijuana. He will explain, with examples, the critical components of a legally defensible program, including: accountability, reasonable accommodation, fitness for duty process, supervisory training, and the interplay between the ADA and workplace drug testing employer obligations. Atty. Eden will explain how to put all the pieces together to effectively deal with opiates and marijuana in the workplace, including the recent medical marijuana protective statues and cases.

Thomas Eden III, Esq. is a partner at the law firm of Constangy, Brooks, Smith and Prophete in Opelika, Alabama and West Point, Georgia. Tommy’s law practice is principally in the areas of Management Labor and Employment Law; Drug Testing Law (DOT Regulated and Non-Regulated) throughout the United States. He prepares legally complaint state specific drug free workplace policies for firm clients in all 30 of the firm’s offices as well as DOT policies for all modes with uniquely developed forms toolkits. Tommy has performed positive drug test disqualification due diligence evaluations for self-insured workers compensation funds, he is trainer for the Substance Abuse Professional Administrators Association (SAPAA) and a frequently speaker and webinar guest on a host of cutting edge drug testing topics.

9:50–10:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

10:00–10:50 Total Worker Health and Wellbeing: Opportunities for Employers

Dr. McLellan will explain how total worker health can help achieve a safer, healthier, and a more productive workforce. He will discuss the personal and occupational risk factors that increase the risk of occupational and non-occupational injury and disease. Dr. McLellan will review the available employer programs including: occupational health services, employee assistance programs, health promotion, incentives, etc. Dr. McLellan will offer a roadmap for employers to work towards total worker health and wellbeing for their employees.

Robert McLellan, MD, MPH serves as Chief of the Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and is Professor of Medicine, Community and Family Medicine, and The Dartmouth Institute of Health Policy and Clinical Practice at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He is also the Medical Director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Live Well/Work Well program, which is a comprehensive, integrated health promotion, disease management and health protection program for a population of about 17,000 employees and their families. Dr. McLellan has extensive experience as an occupational and environmental medical consultant in a wide range of economic sectors and has maintained a clinical practice in occupational and environmental medicine for 35 years. He is a past president of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, as well as the New England College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He has lectured widely throughout the nation and internationally and has published over 40 articles and book chapters as well as a book in the field of occupational and environmental medicine. Dr. McLellan has been the Principal Investigator of several grants related to occupational and environmental medicine and was a co-recipient of the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety’s NORA (National Occupational Research Agenda) award for innovative research.

10:50–11:00 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

11:00–12:00 Employer Advocacy for Injured Workers: The Team Approach

Ms. Saddy will address key components in creating an environment of coordinated, collaborative teamwork and mutual respect to achieve compassionate claims management in Workers’ Compensation. She will profile how American Airlines elevates the workers’ compensation experience through a concierge approach by selecting best in class partners that actively strategize to be an advocate and resource for the injured worker. Ms. Saddy will step you through using relationship management to empower your business partners to build trust with injured workers while holding them accountable to deliver compassionate claims management.

Jennifer Saddy is the Director of Workers’ Compensation for American Airlines and has 18 years of experience in the Workers’ Compensation industry. She has received several national awards including the Women to Watch Award by Business Insurance in 2016, leading Risk Manager by Insurance Business America, recipient of the 2015 Teddy Award from Risk & Insurance and the President’s Honor Roll from Work Comp Central. Ms. Saddy has been widely recognized due to the impressive results that she has achieved due to the integration of the Workers’ Compensation program following the merger of US Airways and American Airlines. This merger created the world’s largest airline and a Workers’ Compensation program that covers over 130,000 employees. Jennifer began her career in aviation 10 years ago at US Airways in Risk Management. However, her career in the Workers’ Compensation industry began as an adjuster for Sentry Insurance. In addition, Jennifer currently serves on the Board of Directors for Kids’ Chance of Texas. Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.

12:00–1:15 LUNCH (PROVIDED WITH FACULTY) & EXHIBITS

1:15–2:15 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. ADA: Latest Developments for Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health Professionals

Attorney Winterscheidt will discuss the latest developments in the ADA including leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation, the definition of “disability”, major life activities, telecommuting, the duty to transfer to vacant positions, and return to work issues. She will review the common “abuses” of the ADA, the interplay between the ADA and the FMLA and discuss “best practices” and how employers can effectively deal with difficult employees.

Rebecca Winterscheidt, Esq. is a partner and employment lawyer at the firm of Snell and Wilmer and is co-chair of the firm’s labor and employment section. She regularly advises employers concerning the ADA, disability and family leave issues, and employment discrimination. Attorney Winterscheidt is a frequent speaker and trainer in numerous areas of personnel law including sex harassment, ADA, FMLA, layoffs, supervisor/manager leadership training and terminations. Attorney Winterscheidt has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America immigration, labor, labor and employment law, and litigation (2005-2017), and by Southwest Super Lawyers employment and labor (2007-2017).

B. Occupational Hand Injuries: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return to Work

Dr. Corrigan will discuss and illustrate the most common occupational hand injuries/conditions including: carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes, tendon rupture, fractures, joint dislocations, and stenosing tenosynovitis. He will demonstrate, with video, treatment options, rehabilitation, and return to work. Dr. Corrigan will offer practical suggestions, best practices, effective treatment, and recovery for workers with hand injuries and conditions.

Frank Corrigan, MD is an orthopedic surgeon at the Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey who specializes in hand and upper extremity conditions. Dr. Corrigan is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He has also achieved additional qualification by obtaining the Subspecialty Certificate in Surgery of the Hand. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons as well as the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Corrigan manages all aspects of Hand and Upper Extremity care, including those problems that require surgery, but also those that do not. He is a firm believer of exhausting all other treatment options before considering surgery. Dr. Corrigan’s training includes a surgical internship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, orthopedic residency at St. Louis Medical Center, and a hand and upper extremity fellowship at the University of Chicago Hospital Pritzker School of Medicine.

C. Big Data Analytics: Top 5 Things You Can Do to Improve Safety and Health Among Employees

Doctors Wolf and Olszewski will explain, with examples, the importance of big data and how it can be used to improve the safety and health of employees. They will discuss the big data resources available, and how they can and are being used to analyze and improve outcomes. Doctors Wolf and Olszewski will present five key cost-effective steps for using big data to improve the health and safety of employees.

Debra Wolf, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Chatham University and an independent Healthcare Informatics Consultant. Dr. Wolf has over 30 years of experience within the healthcare arena. Her area of expertise focuses on change management, process redesign, and integrating technology into a healthcare setting and more recently the use of social media.

Kim Olszewski, DNP, CRNP, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN is an Assistant Professor and Nurse Practitioner Program Director in the Graduate Nursing program at Bloomsburg University, and is Vice President of Mid-State Occupational Health Services Inc. She is an ANCC board certified adult nurse practitioner and case manager. Dr. Olszewski has 23 years of occupational health experience in both the industrial and clinical arenas.

2:15–2:25 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

2:25–3:25 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. The Biggest Mistakes Employers Make in Workers’ Compensation Cases: How to Avoid Them

Attorney Dibble will discuss inadequate reporting and investigation, late engagement of defense counsel, poor selection of workers’ compensation cases to litigate and settle. He will explain the importance of a detailed understanding and analysis of the alleged mechanism of injury and the resultant disability and impairment and engagement with the treating and examining physicians. Atty. Dibble will offer practical suggestions for resolving workers’ compensation claims fairly, efficiently, in a cost-effective manner.

Nicholas Dibble, Esq. is a workers’ compensation trial attorney in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He focuses his practice in the representation of employers, self-insureds, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation defense matter. Atty. Dibble received his BA from Haverford College and his JD from Rutgers University School of Law. Attorney Dibble has written and lectured extensively on workers’ compensation issues. He is a recurring columnist on workers’ compensation issue for WC Magazine.

B. Integrated Disability Management: What Works

Ms. Dines will discuss the team approach to integrated disability management (IDM), where the key functions, include; disability case management, human resources, LOA admin, disability insurance and workers comp vendors, workforce development, employee assistance program (EAP), workforce wellness, occupational health, employee health, workplace safety (WPS), diversity & inclusion and clinicians all work together to achieve the primary goal of helping injured or ill employees continue working. She will review how the significant partnership with clinicians contributes toward an effective work environment. Ms. Dines will describe how the impact of a strong IDM program can reduce the duration of disability related absences, assist managers to understand, adopt stay-at-work and return-to-work culture, increase workforce effectiveness and improve health outcomes for employees engaged in work during recovery. Ms. Dines will present practical suggestions for building a strong IDM program where, through collaboration and integration, an employer can optimize the health and productivity of their most valuable resources – employees.

Marlene Dines is the national integrated disability management leader for Kaiser Permanente where the IDM program has been developed to prevent/manage work absence and lost time due to employee injury or illness due to occupational incidents or personal health issues. Ms. Dines received her BS from Russel Sage College in Troy, NY and her MS in vocational rehabilitation counseling from San Francisco State University. She is a certified professional in disability management (CPDM) and a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC). Ms. Dines has wide experience in Integrated Disability Management and has lectured on this topic.

C. The Evidence Is In: How Functional Restoration Programs Improve Patient Outcomes and Reduce Costs

Dr. Limke and Mr. Vacon will use case studies to explain the latest approaches in functional restoration for workers with back pain. They will discuss incorporating motivational interviewing principles, and cognitive behavior therapy, to activate injured workers towards achieving optimal outcomes. Dr. Limke and Mr. Vacon will demonstrate the use of effective communication to help claimants overcome fear of discomfort, define personal goals, and adopt wellness behaviors. Dr. Limke and Mr. Vacon will offer practical, cost-effective suggestions for facilitating function and return to work for claimants with back pain.

Janet Limke, MD is the Medical Director of the Spine Center at the Center for Orthopedics, Spine and Sports Medicine of South Shore Health System in Hingham, Massachusetts. She received her MD from the University of Cincinnati and completed residency at Tufts New England Medical Center. Dr. Limke is board certified in Physical Medical and Rehabilitation and is a Clinical Instructor of PM&R, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Harvard University. Dr. Limke has written and lectured extensively on back pain and functional restoration.

Michael Vacon, PT has been a practicing Physical Therapist in Massachusetts since graduating from The University of Lowell in 1991. He is the owner and managing partner of Blue Hills Sports & Spine Rehabilitation where he specializes in the rehabilitation of orthopedic and spine related musculoskeletal injuries. Michael has worked with professional athletes from the NBA, NFL, MLB and WNBA, Olympic champions, weekend warriors and youth sports participants. Some of his “favorites” being throwing athletes, soccer players and endurance athletes as well as specializing in the rehabilitation of people with acute and chronic spine pain. For “spine” patients, he has been a leader in utilizing an aggressive functional restoration that is very successful reducing pain and helping patients return to a normal life. 

8:00–9:30 SOCIAL MIXER

CONFERENCE PROGRAM: FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018, DAY 3

7:00–8:00 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND EXHIBITS

8:00–8:50 A View from the Bench

Judge Moore will discuss what does and does not impress workers’ compensation judges at hearings/trials. He will explain the impact of objective and subjective evidence, medical records and testimony, witness credibility, and choosing the correct/incorrect cases to litigate. Judge Moore will offer practical suggestions to employers, insurers, self-insurers, and workers’ compensation and occupational health professionals on how to make a difference in litigated cases.

The Honorable Bruce Moore has been an administrative law judge with the Kansas Department of Labor, division of workers’ compensation, since 1995. He received his BS from Kansas State University, and his JD from the University of Kansas School of Law. Prior to his judicial appointment he was a personal injury/workers’ compensation attorney for both plaintiff and defense. He has lectured and written extensively on workers’ compensation issues. Judge Moore has performed numerous community services and has served on the faculty of the National Judicial College since 2009.

8:50–9:00 BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

9:00–9:50 The Shared Decision Making Model: Effectively Communicating with Your Employees

Dr. Seidner will discuss the human systems approach to case management, including the expanded value proposition, shared decision making, and accessing health literacy. He will explain the importance of assessing and managing realistic claimants expectations and knowing what information to share and best practices for sharing key information (e.g. patient portals). He will offer new roles for occupational health nurses, insurance case managers, and physicians. Dr. Seidner will offer a lumbar spine surgery case example of how shared decision making can make a difference for the injured worker, employer, and insurer.

Adam Seidner, MD, MPH is the Chief Medical Officer for the Hartford. Dr. Seidner received his BA from Hamilton College, his MD from SUNY Health Science Center, and his MPH from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Seidner has written and lectured extensively on workers’ compensation, wellness, health promotion, and health risk evaluations and mitigation. He is a reviewer for the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Medicine and the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology.

9:50–10:00 BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

10:00–10:50 Return to Work: Best Practices to Avoid Delayed Recovery

Dr. Babick will explain, with examples, the psychological and behavioral factors that contribute to delayed recovery in workers’ compensation cases. He will discuss how to identify the risk factors for delayed recovery and chronic disability, and overcome potential barriers to recovery. Dr. Babick will offer best practices for avoiding delayed recovery, including: early intervention, a cognitive-behavioral approach, and evidence-based guidelines.

Kyle Babick, PhD is a clinical and rehabilitation psychologist in Dallas, Texas. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. For 30 years, Dr. Babick has maintained a private practice in adult clinical and rehabilitation psychology, with a primary emphasis on assessment and treatment of psychological issues affecting physical injury, disability, chronic pain, and surgery. He has also served as director of psychological/behavioral services for several work hardening and chronic pain programs, and is currently Clinical Director for PsychGroup, a nationwide network of behavioral health providers treating injured workers. Over the last 25 years he has served on numerous advisory committees at the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission and Department of Insurance Division of Workers Compensation. His practical orientation and ability to translate psychological concepts into everyday applications has led to frequent requests for educational seminars to insurance carriers, healthcare providers, and rehabilitation consultants on mental and behavioral health issues in the workers’ compensation system.

10:50–11:00 BREAK & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

11:00–12:00 Causation in Workers’ Compensation Cases

Attorney Luther will review the differences between medical and legal causation and how they are used in contested workers’ compensation cases. He will discuss, with examples, the significance of mechanism of injury, the use of objective medical evidence, diagnostic tests results, and evidence based medicine in causation analysis and evaluation. Attorney Luther will offer practical suggestions on how attendees can evaluate and assist in workers’ compensation claims which involve causation issues.

Kevin Luther, Esq. is a shareholder and trial attorney in the law firm Heyl Royster. He concentrates his practice in the areas of workers’ compensation, employment and labor law, and employer liability. He supervises the Workers’ Compensation and Employment & Labor Practices in the firm’s Rockford and Chicago offices. He is a past chair of the firm’s statewide Workers’ Compensation Practice. Atty. Luther has represented numerous employers before the Illinois Human Rights Commission and has arbitrated hundreds of workers’ compensation claims in many Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission venues. He has also tried numerous liability cases to jury verdict. He has authored a law review article on Illinois employment law and he is a co-author of “Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law, 2016-2017,” published by Thomson Reuters. The book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date assessment of workers’ compensation law in Illinois. Attorney Luther has written and lectured extensively on workers’ compensation issues.

12:00–1:30 LUNCH (ON YOUR OWN)

1:30–2:30 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. Commercial Driver Medical (DOT) Examinations: Issues and Updates

Dr. Hartenbaum will discuss recent and pending changes to the commercial driver medical certification program. She will review resources for examiners to ensure use of current best practice in certification determinations. She will discuss examples of complicated or confusing situations and provide guidance on determining qualification status.

Natalie P. Hartenbaum, MD, MPH, FACOEM is President and Chief Medical Officer of OccuMedix, Inc, an occupational medicine consulting firm located in Dresher, PA. She is the editor of The DOT Medical Examination: A Guide to Commercial Driver Medical Certification, now in its sixth edition and CDME Review, a quarterly newsletter for commercial driver medical examiners. She is the course director for ACOEM’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiner training program. She has published and lectured nationally on various issues of fitness evaluations in the workplace. Dr. Hartenbaum is on both the clinical and teaching faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and also serves as the Medical Director for several companies. Dr. Hartenbaum is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Preventive Medicine in Occupational Medicine and has a Master’s of Public Health in Occupational Medicine. She has extensive experience in the clinical, corporate, and academic settings and is a nationally recognized expert in occupational fitness for duty with a special focus on transportation.

B. Stamping Out Workers’ Compensation Fraud

Attorney Leatherman will discuss workers’ compensation abuse from actual fraud and how fighting fraud has a deterrent effect. She will explain, with examples, assessing allegations, conducting surveillance, collecting records, and interviewing witnesses. Attorney Leatherman will offer practical suggestions for employers and self-insurers for spotting red flags and how to proceed cost-effectively when fraud is suspected.

Sarah Leatherman, Esq. is the Unit Coordinator of the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit in the Health Care Fraud Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She has been an attorney in the unit since 2010, prosecuting workers’ compensation fraud committed by claimants, employers, and health care providers in the state of Ohio. Prior to that, Attorney Leatherman spent two years in the Criminal Justice Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office where she litigated federal habeas corpus petitions. She earned her B.A. at the Ohio State University and her J.D. from Capital University Law School.

C. Case Management for Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Professionals: What Works

Ms. Bush will lay out a step-by-step case management process that has proven to reduce loss time accidents and achieve strong return to work results. She will discuss: red flags, developing goals with MMI in mind, an aggressive return to work program, and the use of a multi-disciplinary team to assist. She will explain best case management practices including: an aggressive transitional duty program, use of customer satisfaction survey, and analysis of incidents and the cost of the claims. Ms. Bush will offer a road map to achieve effective case management for workers’ compensation claims.

Debra Bush, RN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN has had extensive experience as a certified occupational health nurse and case manager. She is the Health and Safety Manager for Baxter Healthcare’s US Supply Chain Division where she is responsible for the case management of all workers’ compensation and illnesses for the DOT drivers, and a strong return to work program for all workers’ compensation cases. She previously was a certified occupational health nurse/case manager for HCA Company Care. She is a fellow of the AAOHN and vice president of the Florida State Association of Occupational Health Nurses

2:30–2:40 EXHIBITS & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY 

2:40–3:40 BREAKOUT SESSIONS, CHOOSE ONE

A. How to Get the Most Out of Your IME

Mr. Johnson will discuss how insurers, employers, and self-insurers can get the most out of their IME by requesting the IME in a timely fashion, making the medical records available, providing the necessary information in the purpose letter, clearly defining the issues to be addressed, and coordinating scheduling. He will explain IME best practices including ethics, principles, and techniques. Mr. Johnson will offer practical cost-effective suggestions to employers, insurers, and self-insurers for getting the most out of their IME.

Thomas Johnson is Vice President for Genex Services’ Independent Medical Examination (IME) division. With a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the University of Oxford, Mr. Johnson has worked in various senior leadership roles in the medical consulting industry for over 15 years. Based near Raleigh, NC, he practices system design throughout his personal and professional life, including the IME arena. Also a public speaker and writer, Mr. Johnson’s work has appeared in WorkCompWire and the PRIMA Podcast.

B. How to Start and Run a Successful Onsite Health Clinic

Dr. Marks will discuss the scope of services he provides at his onsite health clinic. He will review the nuts and bolts of getting a clinic off the ground. Dr. Marks will discuss the importance of integrating primary care into the workplace. He will explain the many workers’ compensation benefits that an on-site clinic offers, including: immediate access to the patients post injury, control of OSHA recordability and referrals, improved case management, outcomes and costs. Dr. Marks will offer practical advice and recommendations on how to start and run a successful on-site health clinic.

Steven Marks, DNP, APN, COHN-S, FAAOHN is a family nurse practitioner and administrator at Viking Yachts in New Gretna, NJ. Viking is known for manufacturing world class luxury fishing yachts, but they also are strongly dedicated to the health and wellbeing of their employees. His on-site clinic provides occupational health and primary care for over 1,600 employees and their family members. Dr. Marks also has a small rural private practice that serves the needs of local police, fire and rescue personnel. Dr. Marks has presented at multiple national, regional and state level conferences. He completed his doctorate at Chatham University, his masters at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and his Bachelors at Immaculata University. He originally graduated with his diploma in nursing from Germantown Hospital School of Nursing, where he met his wife Linda. Dr. Marks lives and practices in rural south Jersey.

C. Why Workers’ Compensation Claimants Hire Lawyers

Attorney Smith will review the many reasons why injured workers hire lawyers, including: poor communication, fear, delayed and denied payments, the workers’ compensation bureaucracy, uncertainties about medical care, and re-employment. She will explain how the employee is treated impacts employee motivation, recovery, and return to work. Attorney Smith will offer practical suggestions on how employers, insurers, and self-insurers can improve the way injured workers are treated to reduce overall costs and facilitate easy and safe return to work.

Elizabeth Connellan Smith, Esq. is of counsel at Verrill Dana and has litigated numerous employment and labor law matters, primarily defending claims brought against Maine employers. She has handled cases at all stages of litigation before state and federal trial courts, state and federal administrative agencies and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court. Beth has a particular depth of knowledge in workers’ compensation law, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Beth is a member of the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN), and an American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fellow. She also has particular skill in drafting and maintaining Affirmative Action plans and programs for employers in many fields. Atty. Smith is listed in the Best Lawyers in America under workers’ compensation law employers, in New England SuperLawyer under workers’ compensation/employment and labor, and has been named Co-Chair of the ABA Workers’ Compensation Standing Committee.