Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 19, Mark was joined by Alex O’Neal (Arbicare). He discussed what it’s like from advancing from someone brand new to the industry in 2010 to now being an entrepreneur, subject matter expert, and the facilitator of other people’s aspirations. Alex provided advice to people early in their career to develop confidence and expertise, how to understand your own unique form of communication, embrace the complexity of this unique ecosystem, the importance of service, and how to manage work-life balance.

Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 19, Mark was joined by Barbara Curd (PCSI). Her mindset of “fit the job to the person” is a game-changer paradigm in recovery, especially for military veterans and individuals with significant disabilities. Empowering people to grow into resilience and adaptability will help optimize outcomes. Barbara believes the industry is trending in the right direction towards having an injured employee engaged in their own recovery, including their family and support system (whether positive or toxic). Never discard or limit anyone was her appropriate mic drop at the end.

Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 19, Mark and Bob were joined by Debra Livingston (ReEmployability), Greg Hamlin (Berkley Industrial Comp (a Berkley Company)), Dr. Les Kertay (Ascellus). They had just finished their session in the Return-to-Work Breakout entitled “The 3 D’s (Deconditioned, Disengaged, and Disinformation) and their impact on RTW Success.” They each talked about their respective roles on the panel, insights, and takeaways. Worklessness is more dangerous than smoking, tips on utilizing emotional intelligence / empathy everyday, and the importance of clear communication to reduce anxiety. Also included were very important points to setup systems to encourage success instead fear of failure, revisiting what is being measured, and case load can be an impediment to overcoming those three Ds.

Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 19, Mark was joined by Gloria Fagan (Shepherd Center). She shared the important difference between “inter” disciplinary and “multi” disciplinary and how that patient-centered, team-oriented approach is the best way to help someone embrace the new normal from a catastrophic injury. Gloria also shared Shepherd Center’s origin story, 50 years ago, and how the family focus has been there from the beginning. The truck driver story was a perfect example of execution of those wholistic best practices, and the story of the tree trimmer that said his injury was the best thing ever happened to him (an inspiring perspective).

Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 18, Mark and Bob were joined by Chris Letsos (Kids’ Chance of America). This is his third week as the new (and first) CEO of KCOA so the WCI conference was his first big opportunity to network with all of their supporters from chapters around the country. Chris’ long-time experience in leading non-profit organizations and experience as the son of an injured worker equipped him for this new opportunity. The discussion included his vision for the future, perspective on resilience so prevalent in Kids’ Chance scholarship recipients, the inspiration that emanates from KCOA ambassadors, and unique strategies for finding “kids” who can benefit from the program.

Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 19, Mark was joined by Darrell Bruga (Empatha). These two friends reminisced about their common passion for the biopsychosocial treatment approach and its trajectory of adoption over the past 15+ years. Darrell discussed how AI and telehealth will help facilitate broader and more consistent implementation of that whole person recovery mindset. One generation, 20-24 years, is statistically how long new science takes to be actually implemented, and work comp is at about that milestone. His admonition to leaning into objective screening tools and subjective cues during communication is a key way to identify yellow / orange / red psychosocial flags and social determinants of health before they negatively impact the injured worker’s recovery. They finish with Darrell’s 2-3 year future vision.