Category: Straight Outta Workers’ Comp Podcast – Video

This episode Melissa Steger joins hosts Mark Pew and Bob Wilson to demonstrate the dramatic financial results of following an advocacy-based workers' recovery model. Steger, who today is a partner and Executive VP for Business Development at WorkCompCollege.com, lays out the stunning results of a positive recovery centric comp program at her former employer, the University of Texas System. https://vimeo.com/1114004210/cefa3f5b28

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Guest(s):  Alex O’Neal (Arbicare) 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,…

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Guest(s):  Barbara Curd (PCSI) 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…

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Guest(s):  Debra Livingston (ReEmployability), Greg Hamlin (Berkley Industrial Comp (a Berkley Company)), Dr. Les Kertay (Ascellus) 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…

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Guest(s):  Gloria Fagan (Shepherd Center) 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…

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Guest(s):  Chris Letsos (Kids' Chance of America) 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…

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Guest(s):  Darrell Bruga (Empatha) 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,…

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Guest(s):  Jim Anderson (Cattie & Gonzalez)Cameo(s): Catherine Benavidez (IMO) Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 18, Mark and Bob were joined by Jim Anderson (Cattie & Gonzalez). Jim shared a preview of his session entitled “Workers’ Compensation at a Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities for Reform” that included a defense counsel, claimant counsel, and regulator. Jim pitched the idea of finding common areas across…

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Guest(s):  Stuart Colburn (Downs Stanford), Roberta Mike (Strategic Comp)Cameo(s): Evelyn McGill (Virginia Workers’ Comp Commission) Description: In this live podcast from the WCI conference in Orlando on August 18, Mark and Bob were joined by Stuart Colburn (Downs Stanford) and Roberta Mike (Strategic Comp, Workers’ Compensation Career Mentorship Group on Facebook). This jovial but deep discussion is a recap of their “How it all began” panel in the brand new…

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Advancing Advocacy in Risk Management is a new way of managing the experience of a claimant to maximize the benefit to all stakeholders. The initial focus is on workers’ compensation, but this same mindset can be used for general liability, safety programs, and any other risk management setting where someone is handling a claim. The need for timely, understandable, and empathetic communication has gained traction in the past few years.…

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