Thursday, May 30 — 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Level: Basic
Location: Empire Room

Moderated by: Todd Seelig, Esq., WCJ, WCOA, Philadelphia

Workers' Compensation Judge Seelig provides a basic overview of workers' compensation in Pennsylvania, including a discussion on its history, basic entitlements, wage loss, course of employment, and disability/partial disability.​

Level: Basic
Location: Empire Room

Moderated by: Gerald Yanity, Esq., WCJ, WCOA, Greensburg
Thomas Strohmetz, Esq., The Chartwell Law Offices, Camp Hill
Jeffrey S. Gross, Esq., Gross & Kenny, Philadelphia
Richard Kucharski, State Workers' Insurance Fund (SWIF), Scranton

This detailed discussion will follow the flow of the claim process from the moment of injury until the final adjudication. Speakers will address frequently asked questions about the workers' compensation law and will give basic information about what the law is and what it does.

Level: General
Location: Wild Rose Room

The mission of Kids' Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc. (KCPA) is to provide scholarship grants for college and vocational education to children of Pennsylvania workers who have been killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident resulting in financial need.  For the 2023-2024 school year, KCPA has awarded $188,000 to 40 deserving students.  Additionally, since 1997 we have awarded over 1,000 scholarships totaling over $2.7 million.  Join Rob Alcock, KCPA President, and some additional Board of Directors members to learn more about the organization and how you can get involved with some of our events and help spread our mission to reach more students in need of our scholarship.

Level: Intermediate
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by: Adrienne Breslin, Esq., Clear Spring Property & Casualty Group, Wilkes-Barre
Jonathan Greer, MPA, Insurance Federation of PA, Harrisburg
Alexandra D'Angola Fetzko, PA Association for Justice, Harrisburg
Tim Brennan, Representative, PA House District 29, Doylestown

Hear from experienced and respected “Hands on the Hill" who will provide a brief overview of the legislative process and discuss pending or recently enacted workers' compensation legislation.

Level: Basic
Location: Crystal A Room

Moderated by: Edward R. Carpenter Jr., Esq., Carpenter, McCadden & Lane LLP, Media
Christopher A. DiMeo, Esq., Carpenter, McCadden & Lane LLP, Media
Marla A. Joseph, Esq., Law Offices of Marla A. Joseph LLC, Jenkintown
John McTiernan, Esq., WCJ, WCOA, Brookville

Test your workers' compensation knowledge. This fun & informative session takes the attendees through the nuances of workers' compensation in Pennsylvania.

Friday, May 31 — 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Level: Advanced
Location: Empire Room

Moderated by: Marianne Saylor, Esq., BWC Director, Harrisburg
Sean Beggs, MSIT, Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College, Pittsburgh
Ari Lightman, MS, MBA, Carnegie Mellon University, Heinze College, Pittsburgh

Join us for a lively panel discussion where we'll navigate the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) for use in reducing workplace injuries. We will highlight the ways that data can be used to predict injury trends, allowing employers to implement responsive safety protocols.

Thursday, May 30 — 1:45 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Level: Basic
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by:  Sean Trepicionne, Health & Safety Division Chief, BWC, Harrisburg
Eric Hoffman, BWC, Harrisburg
Dara DeRoiste, BWC, Harrisburg
Linda Quinby, BWC, Harrisburg

Presenters will discuss actual and potential problems for those working at home.  They will then introduce plans to increase safety, including various control measures available, conducting a job safety analysis (JSA), and what work-from-home employees can do in different situations.​ 

​Friday, May 31 — 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Level: Basic
Location: Crystal A Room

Moderated by: Neil Dombrowski, Esq., Dombrowski Law Group, Paoli
James Devine, Esq., Cipriani & Werner, Lancaster
Michelle Muncie, BWC, Harrisburg
Gerald Lee, Jr., USW Local 2632, Johnstown

Discuss the value of a comprehensive safety plan and protocol to reduce exposure to costly workplace injuries and the need to protect an employer's most important asset -- its employees.

Level: Intermediate
Location: Crystal A Room

Moderated by: Melissa Leininger, Esq., Law Offices of Nathaniel M. Holmes, Harrisburg
Pat Cusick, Esq., Post & Schell, Lancaster
Timothy Schwalm, Mack Trucks, Macungie
John Madaus, RN, BA, CCM, Clemens Food Group, Hatfield

Join in for a discussion with various employers regarding their policies and programs for successfully getting injured workers with restrictions back to work.

​Friday, May 31 — 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Level: Basic
Location: Magnolia Room

Moderated by: Gregory J. Fischer, Esq., Vaughan Baio & Partners, Pittsburgh
Staci Smith, CPCU, ARM, Utz Snacks, Hanover
Toby Borcoman, Tyber Medical, Bethlehem

These experienced employers will address evolving challenges and topics such as workforce education, pre-injury training, post-injury medical care, and the claims management process. The panel will discuss coordination between the adjuster, employer, medical providers, and counsel to support a successful modified duty and return to work program.

Level: Intermediate
Location: Empire Room

Moderated by: Linda G. Millas, WC Claims Manager, J.P. Mascaro & Sons, Audubon
Gregory J. Fischer, Esq., Vaughan Baio & Partners, Pittsburgh
Michael V. Quatrini, Esq., Quatrini Law Group, Pittsburgh
Cody Lehman, MS, MHA, CDMS, CCM, Chewy, Wilkes-Barre

In this session, the panel will present collaborative strategies and insights to facilitate the workers' compensation claim process and avoid adversarial outcomes.

Level: Advanced
Location: Magnolia Room

Moderated by: Robert Baker, Esq., Chartwell Law, Harrisburg
Michael McGurrin, Esq., Galfand Berger, Philadelphia

This session will address proper and effective administration of a workers' compensation claim in the context of issues raised by the ADA, FMLA, COBRA, the Unemployment Compensation Law and privacy issues.​

Level: Advanced
Location: Crystal A Room

Moderated by: Adrienne Breslin, Esq., Clear Spring Property & Casualty Group, Wilkes-Barre
Lenard Cohen, Esq., Lundy Law, Philadelphia
Dan Hessel, Esq., Golkow Hessel, Philadelphia

Learn the how, when, and why of Section 319 of the WC Act, including subrogation of third-party claims, employer-provided disability plans, and medical benefits.

Level: Intermediate
Location: Magnolia Room

Moderated by: Lawrence Chaban, Esq., Alpern Schubert PC, Pittsburgh
Jeffrey Russell, WCJ Manager, WCOA, New Castle
Robert Goduto, WCJ Manager, WCOA, Harrisburg
Karen Wertheimer, WCJ Manager, WCOA, Bristol
Holly San Angelo, WCJ Manager, WCOA, Philadelphia

Listen and learn as the four Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication Judge Managers instruct attendees about best practices, WCJ procedures, and pitfalls.

Friday, May 31 — 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Level: Intermediate
​Location: Magnolia Room

Moderated by:   Barbara L. Hollenbach, Esq., Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, Allentown 
Barbara E. Holmes, Esq., Blaufield, Schiller & Holmes, Pittsburgh 
Lawrence Beck, WCJ, WCOA, Philadelphia
Hendrick Penn IV, Esq., Weber Gallagher, Pittsburgh

​ An annual favorite, join this discussion of the leading cases and current, potentially problematic issues facing workers' compensation practitioners.

Friday, May 31 — 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Magnolia Room

Moderated by: Barbara L. Hollenbach, Esq., Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, Allentown 
Barbara E. Holmes, Esq., Blaufield, Schiller & Holmes, Pittsburgh 
Lawrence Beck, WCJ, WCOA, Philadelphia
Hendrick Penn IV, Esq., Weber Gallagher, Pittsburgh

An annual favorite, join this discussion of the leading cases and current, potentially problematic issues facing workers' compensation practitioners.

Thursday, May 30 — 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by: Gregory J. Fischer, Esq., Vaughan Baio & Partners, Pittsburgh
Alexis Berg-Townsend, Esq., Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, Bethlehem
Victor Fiore, IBEW Local 29, Pittsburgh
Daniel Snyder, WCJ, WCOA, Allentown
Tara Hooper, CPCU, AIC, Eastern Alliance Insurance Group, Lancaster

A mock mediation will be presented featuring an actual Workers' Compensation Judge, claimant's counsel, defense counsel, injured worker, and an insurance representative.  Get a feel for what actually happens in these serious negotiations. Identify complicated issues, including third-party liens, Medicare, unemployment, and disability.

Thursday, May 30 — 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Level: Advanced
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by: Joseph Huttemann, Esq., Martin Law, Philadelphia
Erin O'Neill, MPA, PA-C, JD, Paradigm, Latrobe
Guy Fried, MD, Magee Rehabilitation, Philadelphia
Rob Alcock, AIC, WCLA, Eastern Alliance Insurance Group, Lancaster

Coordinating the quality-of-life management for catastrophic work injuries in order to facilitate best outcomes. Panelists will discuss living arrangements, medical care, in home services, durable medical equipment, transportation, and other ancillary services.

Friday, May 31 — 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by: Ann Marie Loiseau, DNP, MS, RN, CSN, CCM, DeSales University, Center Valley
Maryanne Kezmarsky, PhD, WCPN, Ho-Ho-Kus
Paul Horchos, DO, Northeast Rehab, Scranton
Ashley Catapano, DPT, CCI, CEAS, CIRS, Ivy Rehab Network, White Plains

This course will review how to appropriately manage the post concussive worker. There will be a review of anatomy and common concussion symptoms. Participants will learn the components of a comprehensive post-concussion physical therapy and neurocognitive evaluation and examine return-to-work considerations for this patient population.

Friday, May 31 — 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Crystal A Room

Moderated by: Ann Marie Loiseau, DNP, MS, RN, CSN, CCM, DeSales University, Center Valley
Paul Horchos, DO, Northeast Rehab, Scranton

Learn different manners in which concussions can occur and whether that impacts the severity of the injury.  What constitutes a concussion? Panelists will discuss how to determine what acute and persistent symptoms distinguish concussions from other conditions.

Thursday, May 30 — 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Magnolia Room

Moderated by: Lawrence Chaban, Esq., Alpern Schubert PC, Pittsburgh
J. William (Bill) Bookwalter III, MD, MBA, FAANS, FABNS, FACS, Delta 9 PA, Pittsburgh

A physician will offer a medical perspective on this constantly developing area of medical practice. Through this program, attendees will be able to obtain invaluable insight for claimants about the availability and accessibility of medical marijuana, as well as the requirements they will need to meet in order to seek reimbursement for the treatment.

Thursday, May 30 — 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by: Victor Fiore, IBEW Local 29, Pittsburgh
David Hoy, PT, Phoenix Physical Therapy, Shamokin
Drew Rice, MA, Windham Group, Manchester, NH
Tyler Rowley, Duquesne Light Company, Pittsburgh

Learn strategies for successfully working together to match physical capabilities, skills, and aptitudes to achieve a successful return to work. This is an update on the 2023 session.

​Thursday, May 30 — 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Level: Basic
Location: Empire Room

Moderated by: Kelli Chapman, CPCU, Eastern Alliance Insurance Group, Lancaster
Sabina Mauro, PsyD, Carisk Partners, Yardley​
Amie Allanson-Dundon, MS, LPC, NCC, CAADC, CCDPD, CCTP, CFAS, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem
Brittany Blythe, MA, NCC, Blythe Wellness, Eddystone

The panel will discuss new and emerging options and resources for mental health care for the injured worker.

Friday, May 31 — 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Level: Intermediate
Location: Wild Rose Room

Moderated by: Ann Marie Loiseau, DNP, MS, RN, CSN, CCM, DeSales University, Center Valley
Rebecca Kronk, PhD, MSN, CRNP, FAAN, CNE, ANEF, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh

Multiple factors influence pain perception and management. This session will discuss various physical, social, and environmental aspects, with an emphasis placed on genomic factors. At the end of the session, participants will gain a broader understanding of the dimensions of pain and management options.  ​​