The 78th Annual Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) Educational Conference brought together professionals and leaders across the industry for an amazing lineup of speakers and events. This year’s conference took place August 18-21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida, and Paradigm once again was proud to serve as an Elite Sponsor. Over four-plus days, our team took part in engaging panels, shared insights and updates on WCI-TV, and deepened our connections with like-minded organizations committed to improving lives and the state of care in workers’ compensation.

Pre-conference kickoff
Paradigm began the conference with a bang on Saturday, August 17, at the Give Kids the World Village Superhero Gala, serving as a Guardian Sponsor to raise awareness and funds for WCI’s charity of choice. On Sunday, Paradigm proudly sponsored the fourth annual Kids’ Chance of Florida Golf Tournament, where team members participated as both volunteers and golfers.

Members of Paradigm’s Marketing team taking a photo opportunity with the WCI superheroes

Illuminating the latest medical treatment trends
On Tuesday, Paradigm Chief Medical Officer, Workers’ Compensation, Dr. Michael Choo participated as a panelist in “Emerging Trends in Medical Treatment,” contributing his expertise to exploring the latest rehabilitation treatments in workers’ compensation.

A packed house for Dr. Michael Choo’s panel

Moderated by Teddy Gonzalez, Vice President, Field Case Managers, the panel also included Dr. Jill Rosenthal, Chief Medical Officer, Zenith Insurance, and Zack Craft, Vice President of Complex Claims-Rehab Engineer, MTI America. Joining these distinguished speakers, Dr. Choo helped illuminate a wide spectrum of topics surrounding the latest emerging treatments in our field, including achieving cost savings, the technologies involved, and related ethical and regulatory issues.

WCI-TV appearances showcase Paradigm solutions
On the conference floor, senior leadership team members appeared on WCI-TV to tackle key challenges and developments in the treatment of injured workers, while highlighting Paradigm’s industry-leading solutions:

• On Monday, Dr. Choo and Paradigm Senior Vice President of Risk Solutions, Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry, discussed the progress and success of our HERO MSK^SM program, which offers guaranteed outcomes and financial certainty for musculoskeletal injuries. Since introducing the program, Paradigm has been able to help injured workers recover through a proven value-based care model that focuses on results instead of activity, promotes patient engagement, and proactively addresses psychosocial concerns further upstream.
  

  Behind the scenes at Dr. Michael Choo and Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry’s interview

  Elizabeth emphasized how this solution is unique in the industry, addressing traditional recovery barriers by focusing on results and acting on psychosocial and medical indicators that can hinder recovery. To close the interview, Dr. Choo shared the case study of a 62-year-old injured worker who experienced a complete rotator cuff tear to her right shoulder from a slip and fall at work. Discovering multiple risk factors, Paradigm implemented a plan to ensure appropriate treatment—including surgical recovery without a reliance on opioids—for a smooth return to work.

  Watch the full interview here: WCI-TV 2024: Elizabeth Ulloa Lowry and Dr. Michael Choo

• On Tuesday, Paradigm Chief Clinical Solutions Officer, Kathy Galia, spoke on the tremendous risk of unaddressed behavioral health factors in workers’ compensation and how they contribute to increased duration and cost of treatment. Kathy shared how recent research shows that injuries involving behavioral health issues result in twice the disability duration and medical spend, with comorbidities increasing treatment duration by three to five times.
  

  Behind the scenes at Kathy Galia’s interview

  To demonstrate the positive impact of evidence-based, interdisciplinary oversight, Kathy highlighted Paradigm’s Behavioral Health Clinical Management solution. Through a goal-based, structured plan, our expert, team-driven approach helps injured workers with mental health comorbidities (including chronic pain challenges), confirm diagnoses, get matched with appropriate providers, and set meaningful recovery goals that improve outcomes.

  Watch Kathy’s full interview here: WCI-TV 2024: Kathy Galia, Behavioral Health Clinical Management

Moving the dial in workers’ compensation and beyond
Paradigm is a dedicated national sponsor of the Alliance of Women in Worker’s Compensation, an organization devoted to creating positive changes in workers’ compensation. On Wednesday, Paradigm sponsored the impactful workshop: Moving the Dial. This exciting gathering helped attendees make progress in life, leadership, and within their workplace culture, while addressing topics such as talent acquisition, building inclusive teams, and how best to move the dial as industry leaders.

Thank you again to everyone who engaged and connected with us throughout the conference. We look forward to sponsoring and participating in the upcoming National Comp conference this October in Las Vegas, including participating in four panels. Be sure to add the sessions to your agenda and submit questions for our panelists in advance.