Originally Published 4/23/25. I have to say, returning to work again after retirement feels different. Maybe it’s the four-month breather I gave myself, or maybe it’s the simple truth that this time, I’m working because I want to, not because I must. That probably sounds a little harsh, so let me back up. I truly loved my time working at the University of Texas System. It felt safe, meaningful, and…
Originally Published 3/19/25. Yep, that’s me! I retired in September 2024, and less than six months later, I was back at work. Whoops? Like many, I had long imagined stepping away from the daily grind, the stress, the deadlines, and that little voice in my head always asking, Am I doing enough? I was fortunate to have a career I loved; one I had set my sights on early. Leading…
In my previous article on the Spectacle of Racing, I wrote about the beauty, precision, and sheer intensity of motorsports—how everything builds toward a single defining moment. What I didn’t explore then is what happens when that moment doesn’t go your way. And I mean, really doesn’t go your way! Because in racing, just as in leadership, many moments don’t. Few examples capture this better than David Malukas’ heartbreaking finish…
Nobody who files a workers' compensation claim expects it to become a catastrophe. Yet every day, a strained back becomes surgery, a minor sprain becomes disability, and a routine claim becomes a six-figure reserve. Over the years, I've come to believe that many of these situations can be explained by a concept increasingly discussed in healthcare as the "medical cascade." The idea is simple. One event triggers another. One decision…
Voice of the Provider is a collaboration between Brooks Rehabilitation and WorkCompCollege.com and the name defines its purpose. Many stakeholders in work comp do not understand or appreciate all of the various clinical providers that help an injured employee return to and stay at work. Whether recovery from the injury / illness is easy or hard, there are clinicians along the way that utilize their education, expertise and experience to…
As a claim file handler in the workers’ compensation ecosystem, you and your team are not merely passive administrators of the noted claim. It is my belief you have a fiduciary responsibility to apply every aspect of the statute, working in the interests of both the injured employee and your client the employer. Essentially, you as the claim file handler, are the gatekeeper for medical interventions, financial accuracy, and adherence…
For an industry that spends a lot of time talking about indemnity and medical benefits, RTW, litigation, and now artificial intelligence, it is remarkable how often the biggest factor influencing outcomes comes down to something much simpler. Human connection. That was the central theme of a session I attended at the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Annual Education Conference on June 11. The session, Working for a Brighter Day: Rewriting…
Identity Loss, Role Transition, and the Path Back to Work I have gone through a difficult period. Over the last year, I lost a sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, three of my closest friends, and several close friends. The losses came one after another, each arriving before I had finished grieving the last. The movie Coco resonates with me because it reflects how I choose to handle loss — by holding onto…
When an employee is recovering from a work-related injury, modified duty is often introduced as a way to support both recovery and continued engagement. Many return-to-work programs accomplish this by placing injured workers in roles with nonprofit organizations at the nonprofit’s location or in a supported role at the employers worksite. These opportunities provide structure, purpose, and a way to remain actively involved while healing. However, that path is not always available. Medical restrictions, mobility limitations, or temporary barriers such as transportation can limit a…
In general, individuals are responsible for their own healthcare. This includes taking measures to maintain their own health, such as following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and seeking medical attention when needed. In many countries, including the United States, healthcare is also considered a shared responsibility between individuals, healthcare providers, employers, and government entities. Employers may provide healthcare benefits as part of an employee’s compensation package, and governments may provide…
