The 2022 WCI educational conference in Orlando promises to be a great wealth of information and education. I am a fan of the program, having presented there dozens of times over the last 30 years. In the interest of full disclosure. I have served on the Program Committee since 2010 and on the Board of Advisors since its founding in 2019. I have been deeply involved over the years in the founding and fostering of the Judiciary College and the Professional Mediation Institute. In short, I am invested in this annual gathering and the hundreds of outstanding professionals whose volunteer efforts make it work each year.
The norm in workers' compensation educational settings seems to be 50-60 minute lectures on this or that. They may or may not be participatory or even engaging, though much depends on the format (speaker or panel), and the people and personalities involved. Having delivered thousands of lectures over my years in education, I can vouch for the fact that keeping an audience engaged and interested for 60 minutes can be a challenge. One resorts to humor, interaction, and other tricks in pursuit of such engagement.
This August, will be perhaps my first WCI at which I am not delivering a lecture or prepared presentation (or not my first, and the old memory ain't what it used to be?). But, I am engaged in two very interesting panel presentations this year, each of which promises to bring some variety and perhaps even levity to the fore.
On Monday, August 22, 2022, I will again engage with the National Regulator Roundtable. At least 17 jurisdictions will be represented on this program at 2:30-4:30 in Crystal Ballroom G-1. The Honorable T. Scott Beck (SC) will moderate with the adept and insightful Tom Glasson screening questions from the audience. Judge Beck has a great breadth and depth of knowledge about workers' compensation. No holds barred, this is not quite a Texas Cage Match, but the conversation can be a bit boisterous at times.
The roundtable topics are always representative of what is hot and happening in workers' compensation across the nation. Anyone wondering where this ship is headed next needs to attend this for the overview, the perspectives, and the humor. It turns out that the "curmudgeons" that run workers' compensation in this country are really just a fantastic group of down-to-earth public servants striving persistently for better management, outcomes, and efficiency. They may not seem so approachable, but I can assure that the vast majority are engaging, enlightened, and curious about what you think of the world of workers' compensation.
Among the 17-plus luminaries engaged in this discussion will be Steve Garrett (AL), Charles Collins (AK), Mike Baker (AR), Dan Sung (CO), Tanner Holloman (FL), Honorable Ben Vinson (GA), Robert D. Walker (KY), Scott Wilhoit (KY); Honorable Sheral Kellar (LA), Honorable Karl Aumann (MD), Beth Harkins (MS), Leigh Martinez (NM), Robert E. Doucette, Jr. (NM), Scott R. Biggs (OK), Gary M. Cannon (SC), Honorable Kenneth Switzer (TN), Jennifer Hopens (TX), Debra Knight (TX), Honorable Wesley G. Marshall (VA), and Joe Moreth (WI). Keep in mind the program prints months in advance, so there may be substitutions and almost certainly additions to the list.
On Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 2:00-3:00, I will be on a panel in the National Workers' Compensation Review. I am always honored when this group calls. Maybe somewhat because of the prestige of the Review itself. But, the fact that the calls come from legends like H. George Kagan (FL), James Anderson (MS), and William Pipkin (AL) is very flattering in itself. The idea for the segment I am on this year is not a 60 minute lecture, but a fast-paced overview of various current workers' compensation challenges.
This will be a show without a headliner, an "ensemble" cast, a truly all-star cast instead. There are more recognizable faces across the National Review stage than in Oceans 11 (1960 or 2001), It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), or Murder on the Orient Express (1974). For those that do not remember Mad Mad World, it included an array of comedic genius and is worth the watch for the humor alone. However, the amazing performance of Spencer Tracy as the deadpan, frustrated, but unflappable Captain Culpepper brings it all together. The movie is a riot, but I digress.
This National Review panel discussion will feature H. George Kagan moderating. George has been in this workers' compensation environment for many years and has seen many storms. We are joined by the CEO of Care Bridge International, Deborah Watkins. She is engaged in claims, medical exposures, Medicare Set-Asides, and more. She recognizes that technology is critical, but must be combined with human compassion. Suzy Braden has worked in risk management for almost 25 years, and in more than 25 states. She brings a broad and diverse set of experiences to the challenges of claims and the people who suffer them. Finally, Stephen Tipton brings 40 years experience in trial, administrative and appellate defense of workers' compensation claims. This is a stellar panel of incredibly diverse perspectives. Literally over 100 years of combined workers' compensation experience.
The discussion, in Grand Ballroom 8A on Tuesday from 2:00-3:00 will likely focus on
- Difficult long haul COVID-19 cases; different state answers.
- Ready now for mushroom medicine?
- Sky-high air ambulance costs -- but also: need?
- AI’s unique new applications, post pandemic.
- Your RTW strategies!
- Work contribution to personal risks of harm: a reexamination.
- New, different mental health challenges; physician shortages, disappearing leadership: a post-pandemic odyssey
However, knowing this group, and with the help of a dynamic and engaged audience, it is possible we might head off on a tangent or two. Without a doubt there will be a few humorous anecdotes, and even a war story or two. Dr. Kagan has threatened to recall a few. It promises to be a great program.
In addition, I plan to be at the following during WCI 2022:
Sunday, August 21, 2022
- Volunteering at the Kids' Chance Golf Tournament 06:00-12:00.
- Moot Court Judge Luncheon 11:30-1:00, Hall of Cities.
- Judges Meeting 4:30, New York.
- WCI Reception 7:30.
Monday, August 22, 2022
- Prayer Breakfast, 7:00, Crystal Ballroom H.
- Opening Session, 8:30, Palms Ballroom Canary.
- Kids' Chance and Friends of 440 Scholarship presentations, 9:15, Palms Ballroom Canary.
- OJCC Meeting, 9:30-10:30, ZOOM.
- Florida Workers' Advocates, 12:00, offsite.
- OJCC Mediator meeting, 1:00, Los Angeles.
- 1972 Report Memorial, 1:15, Grand 8A.
- Moot Court Finals, 1:00, Palms Ballroom Canary.
- SAWCA Roundtable, 2:30-4:30, Crystal G-1 (above).
- Legacy Case Program. 3:15-4:15, Grand 13-14.
- Workers' Compensation Rules Committee, 4:00-5:30, Crystal Ballroom A-B.
- NAWCJ Reception, 5:00-6:00, (TBA).
- WCI Reception, 7:00-8:00, Palms Ballrooms Sago, Sabal, and Royal.
Tuesday, August 22, 2022
- Meeting with Judges, 8:30-10:00
- Risk Challenges program, 11:00, Grand Ballroom 7A
- Psychological Issues program, 11:00, Grand Ballroom 8A
- Delayed Treatment Challenges, 11:00,Grand Ballroom 6
- Board Meeting, 12:00-2:00
- Oral Argument, 1:00-2:00, Palms Ballroom Canary.
- Mental Disease and Effects on injuries, 1:00-2:00, Grand 6.
- Late Night with Workers' Comp, 2:00-3:00, Grand 8A (above).
- NAWCJ Dinner, 6:00, offsite.
Wednesday, August 22, 2022
- NAWCJ Judiciary College, 9:00-12:00, New York.
- Multistate Workers' Compensation Laws, 9:00-12:00, Grand Ballroom 7A
