We did it again with the help of Ohio’s providers!
Based on accolades from our 2018 Ohio Workers’ Compensation Medical & Health Symposium participants, the symposium’s third year was a smashing success.
Despite dealing with a snow storm, nearly 600 health-care professionals attended this unique, multi-disciplinary event held March 8 – 9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Thank you!
Together, symposium participants share our joint passion for the comprehensive care of Ohio’s injured workers.
We centered the program around injured workers’ total care.
To assist with this process, we offered up to 12.75 continuing education credits for 10 health-care professions this year.
A special thanks to the symposium’s outstanding presenters, exhibitors and participants as well as our Medical & Health Division for leading this event that we offer participants at no cost. We continue to offer state, national and international experts for our provider clinical education sessions.
The Medical and Health Symposium featured two outstanding speakers who shared their inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles and adversity while recovering from injuries. They offered tips for injured workers, providers and family members on how to deal with sudden change following a catastrophic injury. Now they are giving back to others from their life experiences.
Brad Hurtig lost both hands in a workplace accident while in high school, and Dale Hull, M.D. became a tetraplegic following a trampoline accident.
Here is an earlier BWC story about Hurtig’s injury and recovery. He has come full circle in his recovery.
What was new this year?
This year our annual symposium included a full-day provider staff forum track (March 9) designed specifically for office support staff.
BWC and managed care organization experts led lively sessions that included panel discussions and questions and answers.
Again, the exhibitor area was a big success with 21 exhibitors who help care for Ohio’s injured workers.
Ohio State Chiropractic Association (OSCA): OSCA representatives reach out to symposium participants about the latest trends and advantages in chiropractic care for Ohio’s injured workers to help them get back to work, back to life.
We couldn’t be more pleased with the symposium’s success. Thank you for joining us and for helping us in taking care of Ohio’s workers – at home and at work.
Remember to log in to the Attendee Service Center no later than April 11 to evaluate your sessions and print attendance certificates.
Here’s a look back in photos and tweets!
We’re off and running! Registration was in full swing at our 2018 Ohio Workers’ Compensation Medical & Health Symposium.
Comprehensive Care: BWC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Terry Welsh kicks off the symposium emphasizing continuing education’s value for providers at all stages of their careers.
When Change Chooses You: Dr. Dale Hull of Utah shares his story of dealing with tetraplegic paralysis following a spinal cord injury. He reviewed what he learned as a patient that he would have ignored as a physician.
Return to function: Dr. Ranavaya, who is also an attorney, reviewed stay/return to work strategies for injured workers. He also discussed how to help methodically determine disease causation in another session.
Speakers who kicked off the symposium: They are from l. to r. Dr. Hull who had a life-changing accident that lead to paralysis; Dr. Mohammed Ranavaya of Marshall University School of Medicine who reviewed how providers can help injured workers stay/return to their jobs and our Dr. Welsh, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist.
Moving Toward a Targeted Approach to Concussion: Dr. Alicia Sufrinko of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, discusses the framework for looking at an injury and how assessments lead to certain clinical profiles for concussions.
Shoulder Injuries – Treatment, Referral, Surgery and Return to Work: Dr. Matthew Levy, orthopedic surgeon of St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland, answers questions about different surgical techniques for repairing shoulder injuries.
Wellness and Total Worker Health: Dr. Otto Schmidt discusses warning signs or red flags to look for when taking care of an injured worker’s total health with a fellow chiropractor.
Diversity – Cultural Competencies lead to better Outcomes: Dr. Alejandro Diez, Ohio State University, explains how demographic changes in Ohio’s population form the current diversity of our patient population.
He discussed cultural issues that impact patients’ health and well-being.
Pharmacy trends: Dr. Amanda Waltemath, Healthesystems of Florida, discussed current and emerging pharmacy trends and their impact on workers’ compensation.
Neurobiology of Addiction – Science Meets Recovery: Dr. Susan Blank, chief medical officer and founder, Atlanta Healing Center, says the American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a primary chronic disease of the brain. It influences the mind, body and soul.
Pharmacy blogger: Mark Pew, senior vice president of PRIUM (right) discusses the genesis and scope of the opioid epidemic with symposium participants and with our Pharmacy Director Nick Trego (left).
Health and Behavioral Intervention: Dr. Michael Sullivan of McGill University, Canada, reviewed a behavioral/health program to assist injured workers in getting back to work, back to life.
BWC Initiatives and Strategies: From a medical perspective, Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison reviewed BWC’s new initiatives that impact providers and their patients.
Find A Way: BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison stands with motivational speaker and injured worker Brad Hurtig before Hurtig’s presentation that closes out our symposium with a standing ovation. 
Hurtig was tragically injured in high school at a local manufacturer and lost both his hands. But, he turned obstacles into opportunities by continuing to play football and leading his team to victory.
See you in 2019! Thank you for helping injured workers get back to work, back to life.
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