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Conference schedule

Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time
EventPresenters
7 - 8:00 a.m.
Registration and continental breakfast
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8 - 9:00 a.m.
State of the industry: Update and Modernization update Matt West, WCD Interim Administrator; and Heather Williamson, Modernization Program Manager
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Breakouts:
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WC101: From Injury to Closure, Pt. 1
Jaylee Hlad-Mosgrove, Chief Asst. Ombuds, Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers; Dan Schmelling, Claims Supervisor, SAIF Corp.; Julie Stratton, Benefit Consultant, BCU, WCD

The Preferred Worker Program – Demystifying Benefits with a Case Study
Christy Johnson, Re-employment Specialist & Tim Kessel, Worksite Modification Consultant, PWP, WCD

Discussing Our Culture: Intersection of Physical and Psychological Safety
Andy Rohner, Sr. Safety Management Consultant & Toni King-Byous, DEI Business Partner, SAIF Corp.
10:30-11:30 a.m.Breakouts:
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WC101: From Injury to Closure, Pt. 2
Jaylee Hlad-Mosgrove, Chief Asst. Ombuds, Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers; Dan Schmelling, Claims Supervisor, SAIF Corp.; Molly Van Houten, Benefit Consultant, BCU, WCD

FAQ with the Small Business Ombudsman (25 minutes)






Maximize worksite productivity with Oregon WCD return-to-work programs (25 minutes)
Caitlin Breitbach, Small Business Ombudsman, Small Business Ombudsman Office

Zoe Tacadena, Rememployment Specialist, PWP & Donita White, Reimbursement Specialist, SIRR, WCD

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion to support our employees and customers
Toni King-Byous, DEI Business Partner, SAIF Corp. & Sonji Young, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, SAIF Corporation
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Networking lunch
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1 - 2:00 p.m.
Breakouts:
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First payment of time loss
Sara Kessler, Auditor, Audit Unit, WCD 

Recordables and Reportables, Pt. 1
Bob Hamre, Sr. Field Investigator, ECU, WCD & Craig Hamelund, Education Specialist, OR-OSHA

Risk Rx: The Prescription to Lowering your Driver's Risk Level, Pt. 1
Andrew Crites, Vice President & CEO, Oregon Driver Education Center 
2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Breakouts:
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Diving into the Medical Arbiter Process  (25 minutes)



Workers' Compensation Dispute Resolution Process (25 minutes)
Sara Claessens, Appellate Review Specialist, ARU, WCD

Cathy Ostrand-Ponsioen, Legal Issues Coordinator, Policy, WCD

Recordables and Reportables, Pt. 2
Bob Hamre, Sr. Field Investigator, ECU, WCD & Craig Hamelund, Education Specialist, OR-OSHA

Risk Rx: The Prescription to Lowering your Driver's Risk Level, Pt. 2
Andrew Crites, Vice President & CEO, Oregon Driver Education Center
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Breakouts:
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Appellate update
Lauren Eldridge, Interim Managing Attorney & Heidi Havercroft, Sr. Staff Attorney, Workers' Compensation Board

Claim Obligations for Employers and Providers
Mikaela Polk, Field Investigator, ECU, WCD

Physical Therapy to Maximize Function and Reduce Time Away From Work and Costs for the Injured Worker
Jonathan M. Kirsch, PT, DPT, CMPT, ATI Physical Therapy
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Reception with exhibitors
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Friday, May 10, 2024

TimeEventPresenters
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Registration and continental breakfast
---
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Keynote: Both sides of the Bar
Sydney Montanaro, Attorney, Thomas, Coon, Newton, & Frost; Lauren Oda, Attorney, SBH Legal; Kirsten Schrock, Resolution Section Manager, WCD
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Breakouts:
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Claims processing legislative update (30 minutes)




Language matters (20 minutes)
Matt West, Interim Administrator, WCD

Autumn Blake, Communications Coordinator, Communications, WCD
.Total Worker Health Awareness



Katia Costa-Black, PhD, Sr. Manager for Education and Partnerships, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences; Liz Hill, Total Worker Health Adviser, SAIF Corp
.
Top 10 reasons for disputes and how to avoid them
Nicholas Ring, Medical Reviewer, Medical Resolution & Lin Allen, Sanctions Representative, Sanctions, WCD
11 a.m.-noon
Breakouts:
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WCD Claim Submission Tips (25 minutes)


801 processing and completing for insurers (25 minutes)
Olivia Brookman, Claims Research Specialist, Claim Records, WCD

Keith Johnson, Claims Trainer, Claim Records, WCD
.Preventing chronic illness and disability in the workplace vis-à-vis the Total Worker Health Approach
Katia Costa-Black, PhD, Sr. Manager for Education and Partnerships, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences
.
The Perspective from the Injured Worker on the Claims Process
Barbra Anderson, Ombuds for Oregon Workers, Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, Kate Suisman, Attorney, Northwest Workers' Justice Project; Keith Semple, Attorney, Johnson, Johnson, Lucas, & Middleton
Abbreviation key:
ARU Appellate Review Unit
BCU Benefit Consultation Unit
EAIP Employer-at-Injury Program
ECU Employer Compliance Unit
OR-OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PWP Preferred Worker Program
SIRR Self-Insurance, Registration, and Reimbursements
WCD Workers' Compensation Division





​​Contact
800-452-0288 (toll-free)
Jennifer Hlad: 971-719-6023
jennifer.l.hlad@dcbs.oregon.gov

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