Program

Bill Treasurer, Founder, Giant Leap Consulting, Asheville, NC

2:30 P.M.—Break

2:50 P.M.—Medical Practice Under House Bill 99

Albert Osbahr, III, MD, Catawba Valley Medical Center Occupational Health, Hickory, NC

3:50 P.M.—Drug Deterrence

4:00 P.M.—Professional Ethics (1 CLE Ethics hour)

Tracey H. Weaver, Executive Secretary, NCIC

Vernon Sumwalt, Sumwalt Law Firm, Charlotte, NC

Henry Byrum, Stiles, Byrum & Horne, Charlotte, NC

Questions from the Floor

5:00 P.M.—Adjournment

Reception in Exhibit Area in Imperial Salons

Bids on Kids’ Chance Silent Auction items accepted until 6:00

6:00 P.M.—Reception ends

Thursday, October 11, 2007:
Break Out Sessions 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

8:00 A.M.—Continental breakfast served in Imperial Salons

Concurrent Break Out Sessions: There will be three different sessions available in the morning. Each session will be held twice. Choose one session of the three listed below.

9:00 A.M.—Break Out Session—Choose session (1), (2), or (3) from the list below.

(1)    Workers’ Compensation Treatment Guidelines—How to Approach Them—Empire Ballroom A, B & C

Albert Osbahr, III, MD, Catawba Valley Medical Center Occupational Health, Hickory, NC

Elizabeth Genovese, MD, MBA, FACOEM, Medical Director, IMX Medical Management Services, Inc., Bala Cynwyd, PA

Article: “Evidence” Versus “Science” in Practice Guidelines

Charles W. Kennedy, MD, Chairman, Musculoskeletal Wellness Center, Corpus Christi, TX

(2)    Claims Compliance—Empire Ballroom D & E

Gina Cammarano, The Jernigan Law Firm, Raleigh, NC

Elva Manus, Claims Supervisor, Selective Insurance Co., Charlotte, NC

William C. “Chuck” Trull, Claims Manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Charlotte, NC

Mark R. Hicks, Workers’ Compensation Claims Manager, Charlotte, NC

Karissa J. Davan, Claims Administrator, NCIC, Raleigh, NC

(3)    The Disabling of NC Workers: A Positive Solution for NC Employers—Auditorium

Lindee Greer, Director of Training, WorkSTEPS, Inc., Austin, TX

10:20 A.M.—Break

10:40 A.M.—Break Out Session—Choose session (1), (2), or (3) from the list above.

12:00 P.M.—Luncheon—Imperial Salons

Concurrent Break Out Sessions: There will be two different sessions available in the afternoon. Each session will be held twice. Decide the order in which to attend the sessions, keeping in mind room capacity.

1:20 P.M.— Break Out Session—Choose session (1) or (2) from the list below.

(1)    The Next Frontier in Spine Care—Beyond Artificial Discs Impairment Ratings—Empire Ballroom A, B & C

John Welshofer, MD, Physiatrist, Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, Charlotte, NC

Domagoj Coric, MD, Neurosurgeon, Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates, Charlotte, NC

(2)    Rehabilitation Management—Where is the “I” in Team?—Empire Ballroom D & E

Jane Rouse, RN, MS, CRC, CDMS LPC, President, Southern Rehabilitation Network, Inc., Raleigh, NC

Jacqueline Jessie, BA, CDMS, Senior Case Manager, Carolina Case Management & Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Raleigh, NC

M. Lynne Sposito, RN, Cary Orthopaedic Spine Specialists, Cary, NC

2:30 P.M.—Break

2:50 P.M.— Break Out Session—Choose session (1) or (2) from the list above.

4:00 P.M.—Adjournment

Friday, October 12, 2007:
General Session 9:00 A.M.-12:50 P.M.

8:00 A.M.—Continental breakfast served in Imperial Salons

9:00 A.M.—Year in Review

Pamela Thorpe Young, Chair, NCIC, Raleigh, NC

9:15 A.M.—Why Do People Act Crazy at Work?

Mike Collins, President, The Perfect Workday Company, Raleigh, NC

10:15 A.M.—Break

10:35 A.M.—Update from Executive Secretary, Mediation, and Deputy Commissioner Sections

Tracey H. Weaver, Executive Secretary, NCIC

John A. Schafer, Deputy Commissioner, NCIC

Stephen T. Gheen, Chief Deputy Commissioner, NCIC

11:20 A.M.—Recent Case Law Review

Bruce A. Hamilton, Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, Raleigh, NC

Benjamin T. Cochran, Hardison & Associates, Raleigh, NC

Manuscript prepared by Bruce A. Hamilton, Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, Raleigh, NC.

Questions from the Floor

12:50 P.M.—Adjournment

Accommodations

The N.C. Industrial Commission held its 12th Annual North Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Conference on October 10-12 at The Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Durham, NC. Click here for a conference brochure (PDF file). For an exhibitor/sponsorship registration form, click here (PDF file). For more information about exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, telephone the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation at (386) 677-0041 or fax them at (386) 677-0155.

Note: The Sheraton Hotel is now full. Overflow hotels (same rate as Sheraton) include:
 

• Comfort Suites, 5219 Page Road, Durham, NC 27703 (located at the bottom of the hill from the Sheraton). Telephone: (877) 424-6423 or (919) 314-1200, Fax: (919) 474-0104. Rate: Conference rate.
   
• Sleep Inn (NC327), 5208 New Page Road, Durham, NC, 27703 (located at the intersection of I-40 and Page Road). Telephone: (919) 993-3393, Fax: (919) 314-1401. Rate: Conference rate.
   
• Marriott SpringHill Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport/Research Triangle Park, 920 Slater Road, Durham, NC 27703. Telephone: (919) 998-9500, Fax: (919) 998-9510. Rate: Conference rate.
   

For Further Information

Telephone the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation office at (386) 677-0041; Fax: (386) 677-0155; e-mail iwcf@bellsouth.net; or write International Workers’ Compensation Foundation, 570 Memorial Circle, Suite 320, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174.

The conference was held at the The Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, located in the Research Triangle Park.  Use Exit 282—Page Road off Interstate 40. The conference center's toll free number is (800) 325-3535, or you may dial direct, (919) 941-5050 or fax (919) 941-5156.

Attendee and Exhibitor Lists and Biographies May Be Viewed at http//www.comp.state.nc.us/.