MSK Health Summer Series 2024
A Brown & Brown Event
Musculoskeletal (MSK) health remains a top cost driver for organizations domestically and globally. The unique spectrum of risk, treatment and cost positions MSK health and well-being as a unique challenge for employers. Join Brown & Brown Population Health & Well-Being specialists and distinguished guest speakers for a three-part webinar series to explore this dynamic area of healthcare. Learn how employers can integrate strategies across employee benefits, property & casualty, health & safety and more to maximize cost savings, boost productivity and help improve employee health.
Session 1
A Foundational Approach to Musculoskeletal Health - Addressing the Leading Drivers of Cost, Absence and Lost Productivity
Join Brown & Brown and two industry specialists as they lead a conversation about how employers can create a comprehensive strategy to support their workforce’s musculoskeletal (MSK) health. They will discuss how MSK conditions happen, current treatment options and the other conditions that tend to co-occur, such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and behavioral health. The speakers will also explore how the costs of MSK conditions go beyond medical claims to impact workers’ compensation, absence, leave and lost productivity.
When
Tuesday, July 9th, 2024
2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Session 2
Virtually Speaking: Emerging Employer Strategies & MSK
This roundtable-format webinar will focus on emerging solutions for musculoskeletal (MSK) well-being, including virtual physical therapy. The speakers will also discuss how these solutions address barriers to MSK care, particularly cost and access. The session will feature two employers that have successfully implemented virtual MSK solutions. These employers will share learnings, best practices and insights surrounding the positive impact that these virtual offerings have had on their employee population for both MSK and broader well-being.
When
Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Session 3
To COE or Not To COE – Is That the MSK Question?
What happens when preventive or non-surgical musculoskeletal (MSK) measures, such as physical therapy, don’t solve the problem? This webinar will feature specialists addressing the many factors employers should understand about recurrent MSK pain, injuries, and unnecessary surgeries and imaging. The speakers will also discuss solutions to help navigate and communicate appropriateness and quality of care, including Expert Medical Opinion and surgical Centers of Excellence (COE).
When
Tuesday, September 10th, 2024
2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Where
Virtual Webinars
Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH
Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH
Senior Population Health & Well-Being Consultant, Brown & Brown
Zack is a Senior Population Health Consultant and leads the Musculoskeletal Health committee. With a background in kinesiology, education, public health, health promotion and data analytics, his current work focuses on optimizing employee well-being programming and developing clinical strategies to help ensure broad access to high quality care. Zack earned his PhD in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Penn State University.
Jeff Young, MS, CSCS, ACSM-EIM
Jeff Young, MS, CSCS, ACSM-EIM
Adjunct Lecturer, CUNY York College
Former President, American College of Sports Medicine Greater New York Regional Chapter
Jeff Young, MS, CSCS, is a distinguished exercise and sport science leader specializing in medical fitness. He holds prominent roles as an adjunct lecturer at CUNY York College, co-founder of the Medicine-Rehab-Fitness Institute and consultant developing exercise programs for national health initiatives. Jeff's career is notable for his tenure at institutions such as Duke University and UCLA, and his leadership in creating and leading the medical exercise component at Mount Sinai Medical Center's integrative medicine facility. His scholarly contributions include co-authoring "The Medical Fitness Bible" and several textbook chapters.
Louis Dickey, MD
Louis Dickey, MD
Medical Director, Hinge Health
Louis Dickey has been a medical director at Hinge Health for 2 1/2 years. Prior to joining Hinge Health, Dr. Dickey was a consultant at WillisTowersWatson for 10 years and the Senior Medical Director for Aetna National Accounts for 14 years. Dr. Dickey practiced Emergency Medicine for 18 years, including 3 years in the US Navy as a Flight Surgeon.
Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH
Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH
Senior Population Health & Well-Being Consultant, Brown & Brown
Zack is a Senior Population Health Consultant and leads the Musculoskeletal Health committee. With a background in kinesiology, education, public health, health promotion and data analytics, his current work focuses on optimizing employee well-being programming and developing clinical strategies to help ensure broad access to high quality care. Zack earned his PhD in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Penn State University.
Heather Kopnicky, MBA, CHES
Heather Kopnicky, MBA, CHES
Population Health & Well-Being Consultant, Brown & Brown
ranges from account management to product development, deploying long-term strategic strategies, predictive modeling, utilization review and disease management. Heather earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business degree from Texas Woman’s University. She also holds a community health education specialist certification, as well as a Wellcoaches certification and clinical exercise physiologist certification, both from American College of Sports Medicine.
Katrina Decato
Katrina Decato
HR Communications & Program Manager, University Systems of New Hampshire
Katrina Decato works for the University System of New Hampshire as the HR Communications and Program Manager. She is known for keeping the ‘train on the tracks’ when implementing internal benefit programs and ensuring employees have the benefits information they need. Katrina has worked in both external and internal communications for 15 years across several industries including commercial kitchen equipment, infrastructure and higher education.
Michelle Gifford, MS
Michelle Gifford, MS
Wellness Coordinator, City of Plano
Michelle has served as the Senior Wellness Coordinator for the City of Plano, Texas since 2015. Her responsibilities include managing, designing, implementing and evaluating all things wellness for city employees, including a premium incentive program, weight and stress management programs. Michelle has a diverse background that includes working with the military, college students and the private sector.
Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH
Zack Papalia, PhD, MPH
Senior Population Health & Well-Being Consultant, Brown & Brown
Zack is a Senior Population Health Consultant and leads the Musculoskeletal Health committee. With a background in kinesiology, education, public health, health promotion and data analytics, his current work focuses on optimizing employee well-being programming and developing clinical strategies to help ensure broad access to high quality care. Zack earned his PhD in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Penn State University.
Louise J. Short, MD, MSc
Louise J. Short, MD, MSc
National Practice Leader, Population Health & Well-Being, Brown & Brown
Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Dr. Short is the National Clinical Leader for Brown & Brown. She has a passion for improving health outcomes, medical costs, the member experience and engagement and productivity. Her background includes 25 years providing clinical leadership and innovation in designing, implementing and measuring population health programs and strategies for employers, vendors, and carriers. Dr. Short has also worked as a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard, her MD from Tufts University School of Medicine, did her internal medicine residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and trained in occupational and preventive medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City where she also received a Master’s degree in Community Medicine.