AUGUST 2022
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN…….
PTSMC has received the summary data from the Top Workplace Survey many of you participated in this May. We have participated in this survey, administered by Energage, every year since 2011 with the goal of learning from and responding to our employees. The feedback we’ve received over the past 12 years has been an important way for PTSMC leadership to recognize the things we are doing well, as well as the areas that need improvement. Please read all the way to the end to see some specific, actionable ways this year’s survey results are pushing us to improve.
This year, PTSMC scored 63% in overall employee engagement (survey participation rate and scores given by employees). The industry benchmark average, based on 7,000 aspiring top workplace surveyed in the last 12 months, was 55%, putting PTSMC and PT for Life above the national average. Out of the 391 employees surveyed at PTSMC, 250 responded. Of that 250, 63% gave responses indicating they are “engaged” or “enthusiastically engaged” in their work. PTSMC also had a record breaking 514 comments left by employees. When I review large sets of data, I seek trends or themes that help distill the information into smaller, more understandable subsets of information. At first glance, both the percentage of participating employees and the overall scores are lower than previous years. However, there is still much to be proud of. For starters, PTSMC remains above average compared to all kinds of companies nationwide, and also a top scorer when compared to similarly sized rehab companies. From the comments and the data, it is clear to me that there is a strong correlation of favorable opinion related to our commitment to those we serve, our teams, and our PT For Life culture. The dedication to a “patient-centric approach” to providing individualized care is supported throughout the feedback provided. Our people also expressed deep appreciation for “the team” and the “PTSMC family.” Several sections of the survey responses clustered around comments like, “we all work together to get the job done” and “we have a great office and enjoy spending time together.” In my review, I found myself repeatedly drawn back to our mission statement – Improving the quality of people’s lives by providing: Unmatched Experiences, Clinical Excellence, Lifelong Relationships. I believe as an organization and as individuals we are committed to this mission. As “feel good” and reaffirming as this information is, the reason we have elected to participate in this process to identify opportunities to improve the quality of our people’s lives as well. The pain points of work-life balance, documentation, benefits and pay stand out in the survey results.
COVID has altered the fundamental definition of “work-life balance.” As we navigate the pandemic’s path, it is becoming clearer that every individual may have different experiences and expectations. I don’t think there will be a “silver bullet” that works for everyone, and so our plan is to be open to conversations and be as supportive as possible to help as many people as possible find a way to grow and thrive. With respect to documentation, it is an ongoing and significant challenge, and the feedback is clear. Documentation is a burden. The increased documentation demands are not unique to PTSMC, it is part of our profession; increased authorizations for most insurances is the primary culprit. PTSMC is actively researching solutions. We have contacted peers in the industry to learn how they are creatively maintaining productivity standards and allowing time in the workday to document. At the most recent partner and director meeting, much time and dialogue was spent on this very topic. We have some clinics piloting some new options. More to come on this for sure. I expect benefits and pay will always be on the list of things our people would like more of. It should be. The fact of the matter is, what we do is more valuable than what the insurance companies are currently willing to pay us. As an organization and as profession, the fight needs to continue so that compensation more appropriately suits the investment and clinical expertise required in the field of physical therapy.
IN THIS ISSUE Clinician’s Corner by Tony Le, Westbrook PT Student
Return-to-Sport Protocols for Athletes with Shoulder Injuries
Clinical Excellence 411 A&A and Who to Contact
HR Buzz
November and December Holidays and Vacation Requests Who to Contact Reminders 401(k) Quarterly Timeline
Wellness Program Summer Sun and Skincare Tips Employee Spotlight Eric Horne, Simsbury Physical Therapist Money Beat - CT’s New Program for First-Time Homebuyers By Jim Hungerford, CPA
StriveHub Fab 5
On that front, I am pleased to report that we have made some modest gains recently with Aetna and some Worker’s Compensation plans, and we are “Sam (Ostrowsky) is friendly and welcoming actively in conversation with Cigna to increase our reimbursement.
each day. She asks about how my week was and how the injury is feeling. She pushes my physical Based on feedback related to benefits, PTSMC is initiating three capabilities, but within a controlled manner. significant changes. Everyone is accommodating, friendly and First, our 401(k) plan eligibility will be updated to enroll employees into this helpful.” - Guilford benefit sooner. We are adapting a quarterly enrollment process and reducing the eligibility period to six months.
Second, beginning March 1, all employees working thirty hours a week or more will be eligible for Dental, Short Term Disability, and Life Insurance. Lastly, we are altering the way we capture non-exempt part time vacation time to better reflect hours worked and vacation time gained.
“The problem with my shoulder was diagnosed quickly and appropriate exercises were recommended to stretch the joint initially. Each staff member has been friendly, attentive, and helpful. After a couple of weeks, we are moving to help strengthen the surrounding muscles, etc. In addition, as I observe the staff working with other "patients," I have been impressed.” - Groton
I, Partners & Directors, and Administrative Leadership thank you for taking the time to reflect on your experience as a PTSMC employee. While we of “The staff are very receptive and knowledgeable course hope to be named a Top Workplace once again, the feedback from you all is what matters most, because it leads us to being the best company about the work they do. I've been to other physical therapy facilities but this one has abled we can be, both for our patients and our people. Thanks,
Alan
me a better quality of life. They are able and receptive to modification of your treatment based off your symptoms. I highly recommend them.” - Wallingford
“Paul (Dinwoodie) is great! He listens to you and creates a plan that is exactly what you need to make your discomfort go away. He is friendly and makes you feel comfortable and treats you like a friend not just a patient.” - Danielson “The staff is very professional and courteous . The facility is clean and well equipped. I like the personal attention and knowledge of my condition and the therapy needed.” - Essex
CLINICIAN’S CORNER Return-To-Sport Protocol for Athletes with Shoulder Injuries
By: Tony Le, SPT at Westbrook, Sacred Heart University
For athletes who undergo surgeries, there are many return-to-sport (RTS) protocols them to follow. With all these protocols they have access to in order to clear them, the one region that appears to be nonexistent is the shoulder. Most shoulder return-to-sport protocol for surgeries are based on a time component instead of a criterion component. Time-based protocol creates a level of uncertainty as to whether an athlete is adequately equipped to return to sport. In comparison, ACL rehab follows a strict criteria in order for an athlete to return to sport, which has led to a decreased rate of reinjuries occurring. So, there should be a criteria-based protocol implemented that is similar in order reduce the reinjury reoccurrence for the shoulder such as Bankart repair. A study published in 2021 followed a criteria that targeted specific athletes in order to measure their ability to RTS. These athletes a protocol consisting of three phases. Phase One required no AROM following the surgery up to four weeks, followed by two weeks of scapular posture, mobility, and isometrics. Phase Two allowed for a gradual increase in ROM to where the athlete’s shoulder should be, following submaximal tissue loading, dynamic stability, posture, and neuromuscular control. Phase Three offered normalizing strength and neuromuscular control, following development of power for high level activities. By six months the athlete would be assessed for return-to-sport
testing. The assesssment consisted of isokinetic and isometric internal and external rotation, with an endurance test for external rotation. The goal was to reach 90% strength of the contralateral extremity. The measurements would be done at 0º and 90º. Athletes who underwent an objective criterial Bankart return-to-sport testing guide, and got, cleared showed to have a reduction in rates of recurrent instability following a Bankart repair. This is a huge improvement over those who followed the time-based protocol. There was shown to have up to a 4.5x likelihood recurrently instability development after an arthroscopic with athletes who did not undergo criteria based return to sport. Offering a proper criterion based protocol for shoulder repaired athletes offers a safer, better, and optimal way for athletes to return back to their sport. This allows for effective return to sports for their athletes. Reference Drummond Junior M, Popchak A, Wilson K, Kane G, Lin A. Criteria-based return-to-sport testing is associated with lower recurrence rates following arthroscopic Bankart repair. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2021 Jul;30(7S):S14-S20. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2021.03.141. Epub 2021 Mar 31. PMID: 33798726.
STUDENT PROGRAM UPDATE This month we welcome the following students to PTSMC: Sarah Gallo (Springfield College) will be working with Bryan O’Neill in New Milford. Kaelyn Beach (Springfield College) will be working with Mike McGowan in Windsor. Christianna Johnson (Springfield College) will be working with Erik Schmitt in Westbrook. Jaclyn Fernandez (University of Rhode Island) will be working with Meghan Blanusa in Naugatuck.
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE Upcoming Courses INTERNAL COURSE
SPONSORED COURSE
Lower Extremity November 12, 2022 Location TBD Instructor: Melissa Boutagy DOCS Requirement
Graston M1 Training
Upper Extremity February, 2023 Location TBD Instructor: Russ Woodman DOCS Requirement
August 13, 2022 NEW LOCATION - PTSMC Essex Instructor: Jackie Shaker Open to PTs, ATCs, PTAs, and PT students
Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner Live September 10-11, 2022 PTSMC Guilford Instructor: Megan Peach, DPT, OCS, CSCS Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE) Learn more about this course here
Myopain Dry Needling 1: Foundations 1 October 14-16, 2023 QU North Haven Campus
Email Mallory Mason at ConEd@ptsmc.com for all sign ups or questions. All course attendance must be approved by Partner/Director.
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE COURSE TYPES
External Courses: These are courses held outside of PTSMC that clinicians register and travel to attend on their own. PTSMC Sponsored Courses: These are courses taught by outside instructors that PTSMC brings in-house. PTSMC is invoiced at negotiated rates and the cost per clinician is allocated to the clinics. Medbridge falls under the Sponsored umbrella. PTSMC receives a discounted subscription for Medbridge accounts. DOCS Program requirements currently on Medbridge are: Return to Sport, Therapeutic Neuroscience Education PTSMC Internal Courses: These courses are taught in-house by qualified PTSMC clinicians. Any PTSMC clinician and Student are welcome to attend. The following Internal courses are a part of the DOCS Program, and are held on a re-occurring cycle: Cervicothoracic, Intro. To the Assessment & Treatment of the Concussed Patient, Lower Extremity, Lumbar, Upper Extremity.
UPCOMING JOURNAL CLUB AND CASE DICUSSION DATES Case Discussion (DOCS Requirement) 8/9/22 Lower Extremity 9/13/22 Lower Extremity Journal Club (open to all clinicians) 8/23/22 Lower Extremity 9/27/22 Lower Extremity All meetings are 12:00- 1:00 pm on TEAMS. Email Danielle.Dunn@ptsmc.com to be added to the meeting group.
ICE Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner Course
PTSMC is excited to bring in the Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE) for their popular course: Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner. ICE offers courses across the country, and they are looking forward to bringing this course to PTSMC & CT! ICE takes a cutting-edge approach to PT continuing education, with a vision of: “… helping healthcare providers improve their clinical practice to serve patients with a fitness forward, manual therapy skilled, and psychologically informed style of treatment. We believe that by helping providers better understand the benefits (and limitations) of manual therapy techniques, the biopsychosocial components of the patient experience, and the judicious application of exercise load & intensity, we can fundamentally change the health landscape of our nation.” To learn more about ICE check out their website here: https://ptonice.com/about-ice/ PTSMC is hosting Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner at our Guilford clinic, September 10 -11, 2022. It is open to Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants. PTSMC has reserved spots for this course and the cost discount is dependent on participation numbers. This course will also be open to the public at its normal rate of $650.00. For full course details please go to this link. You will find a video about the course and schedule for the 2 days: https://ptonice.com/our-courses/rehabilitation-of-the-injure d-runner-live/
2022 Continuing education opportunities list https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/RCnzB8GqVU/Clinical_Excellence _List_of_Courses.xlsx_
Use the link above for a list of PTSMC Internal, PTSMC Sponsored, and External course opportunities. Please reach out to Mallory Mason via coned@ptsmc.com if you have any questions.
APTA & CTAPTA included!
Q & A: The 411 on Clinical Continued Education Where do I find course opportunities? • Upcoming Internal and Sponsored courses are always listed on the Clinical Excellence page of the PULSE. • Internal, sponsored, and external course opportunities can be found in the “2022 Continuing Education Opportunities List.” This link can also be found on the Clinical Excellence page of the PULSE. It is a live link, which means it is updated regularly and will display the most current options.
Where is my continued education tracked? • Internal and Sponsored courses are tracked in ADP. The information can be found under Talent Profile as well as My Documents. • External courses that are communicated/submitted to the Clinical Excellence Team can also be found under Talent Profile and My Documents. • Clinicians are responsible for keeping their own records in accordance with the CT professional licensure requirements.
What is my clinical continued education budget? I took an external course, should I let anyone else know? • PTSMC supports clinical developmnet financially. Talk to your clinical Partner/Director • YES! Email Channing Harwood or Mallory Mason the details of the external to attend courses that interest you. course along with a picture of your certificate so this can be updated for tracking, compliance, and marketing purposes. Where do I find PTSMC’s Clinical Continued Education Policy? • This is also great opportunity to share your new knowledge with your peers! • Log in to ADP --> Resources --> Company Policies --> “PTSMC Clinical Continued Education Policy” (Short cut! ADP Home page --> Company What are Journal Club and Case Discussion? Can I participate? Documents & Links --> Policies & Handbook) • Journal Club is open to all PTSMC clinicians. It is led by PTSMC Residents discussing • This policy applies to ATC, PT, PTA, and OT clinicians relevant research articles and how to implement it into everyday practice. • Case Discussion is open to DOCS Program clinicians. It is also led by PTSMC Residents How do I sign up or register for a course? discussing difficult or more complex case scenarios, including suggestions and tips • For Internal and Sponsored courses, email coned@ptsmc.com. All clinicians are for treatment. permitted to attend with Partner/Director approval. • Both are once a month, 1-hour meetings through Microsoft Teams. You can find • External courses can be paid for by your clinic’s Partner/Director or paid for by details each month in the PULSE on the Clinical Excellence page. you and submitted for reimbursement with Partner/Director approval. External courses can be attended once probation period has been completed. What is the DOCS Program and who does it apply to? • DOCS = Development of Clinical Success Do I have paid time to attend a course? • The program is for clinicians new to PTSMC with less than 5 years of prior clinical Employment Status Hours Per Calendar Year experience. It is a 2-year program that includes completion of 7 courses (5 in FT 16 hours person, 2 on Medbridge), a minimum of 6 one-on-one mentorship sessions in the PT 30 - 39 12 hours first year with the option to complete up to 12 mentorship sessions, and PT 20 -29 8 hours participation in 6 Case Discussions (in year 1). Participation in Journal Club is highly • Paid continuing education time is dependent on each employee’s FTE status. suggested to supplement to the program. • Weekend courses are excluded unless a part of normal clinical schedule. Where do I check my DOCS Program progress? • There is a check list in your personal DOCS folder on Egnyte where you can personally keep track of your program progress. You can also reach out to Channing Harwood.
Clinical Excellence Team: Who To Contact Courses - Internal & Sponsored Contracting, coordination & logistics Problem or concers with a course Registration or course eligibility Suggestions, connections, ideas for Sponsored courses
Mallory Mason Danielle Dunn coned@ptsmc.com (Mallory Mason) Danielle Dunn
DOCS Program Case Discussion- access, content, tracking Egnyte folders Mentorship scheduling Problem or concern with Mentorship session Program progress or tracking
Channing Harwood Mallory Mason Kristina Lipieka Danielle Dunn Channing Harwood
Other Clinical Continued Education External course opportunities Journal Club- access, content Medbridge Residency Seeking direction for planning out clinical development
Sandra Boccialetti, Danielle Dunn Channing Harwood Channing Harwood Mallory Mason Danielle Dunn Danielle Dunn
Danielle Dunn, PT, DPT, MTC, OCS, CTPT Clinical Excellence Director & PTSMC Orthopaedic Residency Program Director, Physical Therapist in Wallingford
Channing Harwood PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT Clinical Excellence Coordinator, Physical Therapist in Plainville
Kristina Lipeika, PT, MPT, CMTPT Mentorship Coordinator, Physical Therapist in Watertown
Mallory Mason, Employee Engagement & Program Coordinator
HUMAN RESOURCES
Who to Contact Reminders
Employee Verification of Employment If your clinic receives a call from a bank or mortgage lender asking to verify the status of a current employee or an employee who has resigned, please refer the caller to Human Resources. Explain to the caller that only HR staff can verify employment. Transfer the call to Sandra Boccialetti. If your office receives a Verification of Employment form via fax, email or scan, please forward the request to Sandra Boccialetti.
The November and December Holidays for 2022 and New Year’s Day Holiday for 2023 will be observed as follows: Thursday, November 24th Thanksgiving Monday, December 26th Christmas Monday, January 2nd New Year’s Day
November and December Vacation Requests
Employees can submit time off requests for November and December holiday times, however, please be aware that the approval is not completed until September 25, 2022. Employees may submit a vacation time request at any time during the year. The submission and approval deadline for November and December requests is listed below. Employees may only request time off during one holiday during the November and December request period. Submission Deadline September 15, 2022
Director Approval Deadline September 25, 2022
The approval considerations for prime-time vacation requests are as follows: • Time available • Seniority • Length of time requested (preference given to extended time vs. one day) • Appropriate staffing levels maintained All time off requests are to be submitted through ADP. To complete click on Request Time Off under the My Time off tab on the home page. This is located in the top right corner.
References for Employees If your clinic receives a call asking for a reference for a former employee, please transfer the call to Sandra Boccialetti.
401(k)
Employees who would like to make a change to their 401(k) biweekly contributions for the 4th quarter of 2022 must complete the request by Friday, September 16th to be effective with the first 4th quarter payroll. It only takes 3 quick steps to change your contributions. • Login https://myplan.johnhancock.com/login • Click on Manage and Contributions • Your current Before Tax and/or Roth contributions will be displayed. Click on the arrows to adjust your percentage then click Continue at the bottom of the page. • Sandra Boccialetti will be notified of the change and it will be effective with the October 5th payroll.
CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES Physical Therapist Branford Danbury Groton Lock St New Haven New London Shelton Southbury Westbrook Wethersfield Physical Therapist Assistant Westbrook
Once your request has been approved or denied you will receive an email and your request can be viewed in your time off tab. Your approved vacation request will automatically be posted to your timesheet and you will not need to enter the vacation time when it occurs.
Athletic Trainer New London Westbrook
Patient Services Coordinator Fairfield Guilford Windsor (evenings) PT Aide Branford Danbury Danielson East Hampton Essex Glastonbury Middletown Naugatuck Orange Plainville Putnam
Check www.PTSMC.com/job-openings for our most up-to-date postings, and feel free to share! Call Karen or email at karen.havlicek@ptsmc.com if you are interested in a position.
EMPLOYEE NEWS
NEW EMPLOYEES
Sean Ferguson, Watertown Patient Services Coordinator
Hannah Marmen, Putnam PT Aide
Steven Genna, Orange PT Aide
Amy Jespersen, Lock Street PT Aide
Brittany Kearney, Westbrook Physical Therapist
Welcome Back!
Shawn Nash, Avon Physical Therapist
Hillary Osorio, IT Technician
Isabella Pasqualucci, Watertown PT Aide
NOT PICTURED: Isabella Mesturini, Middletown PT Aide Raymond Seward, Guilford PT Aide Francesca Pimenta, Guilford Patient Services Coordinator
Mike Popolizio, Glastonbury Physical Therapist
Ellery Tarasuk, West Hartford PT Aide
CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to the following PT Aides who have completed the SIPTA (Skills Introduction for PT Aides) Program: Sarah Sommer, Windsor PT Aide
Kayla Wong, Shelton PT Aide
Marsela Mgushi, Fairfield Nathan Panico, Westbrook
Employee
Spot light Eric Horne, Simsbury Physical Therapist
Intro to Eric
Eric Horne grew up in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts in a town called Holyoke. He loves the outdoors, loves to be active and especially loves getting out in the mountains that surrounded him as a child. Eric recently moved back to his hometown, located right over the border of Massachusetts, and he couldn’t be happier. Eric and his fiancé, Moira, take advantage of the great outdoors every weekend, hiking various trails amongst Mount Tom and the “Seven Sisters” Trails in the area. The couple, along with their cat Bellatrix Lestrange (Bella for short – yes, they are BIG Harry Potter fans), are looking forward to buying a home in the Pioneer Valley in the near future! Eric took a pre-med track at Providence College, receiving a Bachelor of Science prior to attending American International College (AIC) for his DPT. His brother had gone to Providence as well, and Eric loved the Division I sports environment, so undergrad at PC was a no-brainer. Physical therapy as a career option was a long-time consideration for Eric, beginning with a football injury in high school. He’d torn his right medial meniscus and for two weeks was locked up in a brace with ZERO flexion. Wanting to return to the game, Eric sought out some PT. He remembers that on day one his therapist got him “from 0 to 110,” and he left inspired. Today, Eric still loves working with athletes and aiding them in return to sport. His favorite body parts to treat are shoulder and lower back, the latter being the result of another personal injury that required rehab.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS Kevin Connellan Alayna Taylor Colleen Menard Melissa Fierro Michelle Kijewski Anna Donato Kayla Wong Michael Castleberry JoAnna Moomjian Seth Barrett Craig Katko Morgan Brown McKenzie Daniels Erik Schmitt Tom Kassan Nico Rosa Suhani Patel Bri Boulerice Elena Masiello Tyler Naef Cynthia Ferreira Adam Antunes Summer Heckler Jake Siedel Erik Olsen Bella Olmstead Nick Almonte Kailey Hanks Gea Mitas Walter Coombs Jovan DuBose Casey DeLucia Stevie Fell Amy Jespersen Emma McMillan Andrew Kalach Alyssa Wright
3 5 5 8 8 8 9 9 9 12 15 15 16 16 16 18 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 22 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 29 29 29 29 31
Plainville Glastonbury New Milford Fairfield Wallingford Essex Shelton Orange Fairfield Wallingford Essex New Haven Newington Westbrook West Hartford Watertown Westbrook Waterbury Wallingford East Hampton Shelton Naugatuck Westbrook Middletown Southbury Guilford Shelton Lock St New Haven Branford Groton Branford Admin Lock St Danielson Fairfield New Haven
AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES
Eric’s Road to PTSMC
So how did Eric find his way to PTSMC Simsbury? It all began back in 2016 when former AIC classmate Alyssa Griffo (East Hampton Assistant Director) mentioned that our Avon clinic was hiring. Eric joined the Avon team, living just over the mountain in West Hartford, and he developed his clinical skills there for four years. Like many couples, Eric and Moira decided they were looking for a change at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and they moved to Sandwich, MA, located on Cape Cod. After a year working for a PT group up there, two things became clear to Eric and Moira: they wanted to be closer to family and friends, and he wanted to be back in a clinical environment that provides unmatched quality of patient-centric care; in short, PTSMC! In 2021, Eric reached out to President Alan Balavender about coming back to PTSMC. Eric preferred to join a clinic in the northern part of CT so he could be closer to home. It could not have worked out better, as Emily Hansen, a former colleague at PTSMC Avon, had recently opened her clinic in Simsbury and was ready to hire. A win-win situation! Eric loves working in the Simsbury clinic – aside from enjoying helping the clinic grow, he gets to work with people he considers his best friends.
What’s Next?
Eric is currently working on his Olympic Weightlifting Coaching Certification! He had been a competitive Olympic weightlifter before injuring his back a few years ago and has worked very hard to get back to the bar himself. He plans to compete this year in weightlifting, and once he obtains the coaching certification, he hopes to take a few peers/teammates to national events. Together, Eric and Moira also love food and cooking...not just trying out new foods and recipes but planning full-on food tour getaways! They often venture up to Boston for food-centered tours of the city and surrounding areas, and a few times a year they head out to the Los Angeles area to visit his sister (and, naturally, to check out the area’s trendy food options). If you’re looking for a fun new hobby, definitely reach out to Eric for foodie suggestions!
Colin Ketchel Kenneth McGee Kevin Robinson Jennifer Pasram Matthew Turo Brian Callegari Daniel Shaffer Seth Barrett Nathaniel Biega Gyujin Kim Adam Petrosino Keaton Mangi Patricia McLean Liza Peressini Nicole Carroll Chris Burkle Jacob Rooney Nolan Freeman Cory Wolski Tatyana Vega Amanda Cabush
Physical Therapist PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide Athletic Trainer PT Aide Athletic Trainer PT Aide Physical Therapist PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide PT Aide
Branford Shelton Shelton Fairfield Glastonbury Windsor Avon Wallingford Avon Essex Fairfield New London New Milford Danbury Groton Guilford Orange New Milford Avon Waterbury Windsor
Christine Rasile
Staff Accountant
Admin
Mike Durand
Vice President Of Admin Business Development
Welcome Caty Halpin and Nicole Skirkanich as Human ResourceS Coordinators! Caty Halpin joined PTSMC in 2016 as an Athletic Trainer covering Westbrook High School. In August 2019, Caty was promoted to Sports Medicine Coordinator, overseeing the “business” of Athletic Training contracts, participating in the hiring process, coordinating orientation and training schedules, managing meetings, providing continued education opportunities for PTSMC Athletic Trainers and performing “at school” visits as her scheduled allowed, while fulfilling her Westbrook High School AT coverage. Most recently, Caty took on the responsibility for PTSMC SIPTA (Skills Introduction for Physical Therapy Aides) and supported the PT Aide hiring process. Caty realized she enjoyed training new employees and was very interested in expanding her role beyond athletic training. Caty is stepping away from her Westbrook High School AT responsibilities and will continue as Sports Medicine Coordinator along with Human Resources Coordinator responsibilities. Caty has already established herself as the HR liaison for Athletic Trainers. She will now continue to grow with increased Human Resource responsibilities. When asked; “Why HR?” Caty stated, “I’m excited to take on this position because I get to meet and interact with so many more people across PTSMC. Since this is a new role for me, I’m excited to learn from the experience that the HR team has to offer and develop my knowledge.
UPCOMING END OF MONTH DEADLINES
Timeframe 7/1 - 7/31
JULY END OF MONTH Documentation FD Balancing 8/3 at 6:00 am 8/4 at 7:00 pm
AUGUST MID MONTH Timeframe Documentation FD Balancing 8/1 - 8/12 8/18 6:00 am 8/19 at 3:00 pm AUGUST END OF MONTH Timeframe Documentation FD Balancing 8/1 - 8/31 9/6 at 6:00 am 9/7 at 7:00 pm
The impact I’d like to make is playing a part in bringing on the best people we can for PTSMC and providing those employees with all of the tools and resources they need to make PTSMC their home, and truly grow as people along with our growing company.” On the personal side, Caty and her husband are dedicated dog parents to their (spoiled) black lab, Finn. He’s demanding when it comes to going for his daily walk, yet it’s helpful to make sure they carve out some family time each day! Caty is a beach lover and says it helps that Finn loves the beach too! Nicole Skirkanich joined PTSMC Orange in 2018 as a Patient Services Coordinator. Establishing strong leadership and organization skills, she was promoted to Patient Services Administrator November of 2021. Nicole oversaw the front desk operations and staff, supporting Partner Anthony Ciaburri, and ensuring the front desk ran seamlessly.
SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, Sept. 13 Avon Country Club
When asked: “Why HR? Nicole commented, “After studying HR Management in college, I knew it was something I had to work towards, and I wanted to do so in a company that believes in employee growth. I was lucky enough to have that opportunity in Orange, being a PSC and then their first PSA. When I saw an opening for an HR Coordinator, I took a risk to put myself out there, and now I’m here! I am very excited about this new role because it allows me to go back to my roots of what I was passionate about learning in college – I love that the HR profession is ever-changing. I am happy to work alongside Sandra, Karen and Caty; focusing on the well-being and productivity of employees, as well as helping develop and look for new strategies to make things better. I believe employees are the most important asset to a company, and now I can help with their development and help improve the workplace culture. With that said, I am very sad to be leaving my Orange family. I can’t say enough great things about them and am forever grateful for their support over the years.” Personally, Nicole and her fiancé bought their first home earlier this year and adopted a new puppy! They’re also excited to be having a small wedding ceremony on New Year’s Eve 2022 to bring in the new year 2023 as a married couple. Sandra and Karen are very excited to welcome Caty and Nicole to the HR Team. They have both worked with Caty and Nicole in their previous roles and look forward to collaborating as a team to bring new and creative ideas to PTSMC as we continue to grow.
PTSMC’s 2022 Golf Tournament will be held at the Avon Country Club on Tuesday, September 13th.
Additional details forthcoming!
What to know about CT’s new program offering up to $50K for first-time homebuyers By Jim Hungerford, CPA Director of Accounting and Finance
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own home, but are having trouble scraping together enough money for a down payment and closing costs, a new program now being offered by the state of Connecticut may be just what you need. The program, called Time To Own, is accepting applications and is administered by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. It offers down payment assistance to low and moderate-income home buyers in the state.
Here’s what you need to know about the program: Q: Who is eligible to participate? A: Current Connecticut residents who are first-time home buyers and have lived here for at least three years. The program is also open to state residents who have not owned a home in the last three years. Individuals interested in participating in the program must meet eligibility requirements to qualify for and receive a CHFA first mortgage. Participating lenders in the CHFA program will work with applicants to determine complete program eligibility requirements. These requirements include income limits and the sales price of the house. Most Connecticut towns are available to purchase a home in via this program, with the sales price adjusted for the program based on the current market values in each town. The loan is also based on such eligibility requirements as the borrower’s financial needs and their ability to repay their mortgage obligations. Q: Who should apply to participate in the program? A: The program is targeted at first-time home buyers, but also individuals who don’t meet that qualification may also apply if they plan to purchase in a targeted area of the state. Every year, the federal government identifies where a state’s targeted areas are.
Q: Why is where I want to buy a home so important? A: A key component of Time to Own provides added financial assistance to individuals seeking to buy homes in higher resourced communities, where home prices are often out of reach for new home buyers. These higher resourced communities are referred to as Higher Opportunity Areas and are evaluated based on school performance, access to job opportunities, and other community resources. If a property is in a high or very high opportunity area, the borrower may be eligible for up to $50,000 in assistance. For any other property, the loan amount may go up to $25,000. Q: Where are these high opportunity areas? A full map has been created and can be found at chfa.org/about-us/ct-opportunity-map. Many of the higher opportunity areas can be found in Fairfield County, in the suburbs around Greater Hartford and the suburbs near New Haven. Q: What are some of the other benefits of the program? A: There is a zero percent interest rate on the down payment loan and 10 percent of that balance will be forgiven annually on the anniversary date of the loan closing. The loan is fully forgiven on the 10th anniversary of the closing. In essence, this “loan” becomes a tax-free grant from the state to help first time homebuyers purchase a home. Financing is available to cover as much 20 percent of the down payment and up to 5 percent of closing costs. Q: Where can I find more info? A: You can learn more by visiting www.chfa.org/TimeToOwn or calling CHFA’s homeownership hotline at 1-844-CT1-HOME (1-844-281-4663). In addition, through PTSMC’s relationship with Webster Bank, we have been assigned a direct contact for applying for the Time To Own loan. You can contact Kathy Granger at kgranger@websterbank.com for further information and help through the process.
PTSMC Happenings!
Lock Street staff held a Tie Dye Day.
Fairfield stretched runners out at the Fairfield Police Sunset 5k.
Watertown staff enjoyed a staff outing to Sunset Meadow Vineyards and also participated in the Watertown Block Party (right).
Danbury celebrated two years in business with an open house! Pictured are PTSMC staff who attended.
PTSMC was a sponsor for the CTAPTA golf tournament, and a few staff members played in the tournament, including Rebecca Petrosino, Fairfield Partner, pictured left with our tee sign. Pictured right, Mike Durand (center) is celebrating a hole in one with the CTAPTA President Stefanie Bourassa (left) and Tom Kassan (right), West Hartford Partner.
Glastonbury staff celebrated Independence Day with a Patriotic Theme Day.
Plainville staff stretched runners and walkers out at the Petit Family Foundation 5k. They’re pictured with Dr. Petit, founder of the race.
Danbury staff celebrated summer with a Hawaiian Day.
Andrew Perazella, New Haven PT, said goodbye to his student Mollee, who is attending Sacred Heart’s DPT program.
SoCIAl Media Sensation Kenny Kregling, Wallingford PT
Tom Mango, New London PT, welcomed baby girl Elise Marie Mango.
Emma Graham, Westbrook PSA, welcomed baby girl Ella Patricia Graham.
Kenny filmed an in-depth tutorial of what a TPI golf assessment looks like. Watch the full video on PTSMC’s Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
SUN SAFETY
Consider these sun safety tips when you're outside
Spending time outdoors is a great way to be active and healthy. When you're out in the sun, it's important to think about sun safety too. Here are some tips to help protect yourself:
Sunscreen
Your skin can burn even on a cloudy day. Use a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 to block out the majority of the suns’ UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen labeled “Broad Spectrum”. Remember, sunscreens are not waterproof, only “water resistant”, so be sure to reapply at least every two hours.
Protecting your Skin
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Self-exams can help you identify potential skin cancers early. Use “ABCDE” to help you remember what to look for if you have a skin abnormality: A = Asymmetry: the shape of one half does not match the other. B = Border that is irregular. Borders of early melanoma can be uneven, notched or scalloped. C = Color that is uneven. A variety of colors can be a warning sign. D = Diameter is larger than the eraser on a pencil. E = Evolving: the mole has changed in size, shape, elevation or color.
The Eyes Have It
Help protect your eyes by wearing UV blocking sunglasses and broad brimmed hats — even on cloudy days! Also avoid looking directly into the sun.
Heat-Related Illnesses
Engagement & Wellness Calendar August PTSMC Social @ Groton
August 25, 6-8pm
PTSMC Social @ Naugatuck
August 30, 6-8pm
September PTSMC Social @ Southington
September 1, 6-8pm
PTSMC Social @ Admin
September 20, 5:30-7:30pm
PTSMC Social @ Hammonasset
September 22, 5:30-7:30pm
Life Beat Skincare Basics Did you know our skin is the body’s biggest organ? And yet, when we think of skin care, we often only focus on our face. A radiant face is important, but it's just as important to take care of the skin on our whole body. Skin conditions can appear just about anywhere on our bodies. When they do, it’s important to catch them early, learn how to take care of them — and know when to see a dermatologist. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen
Over the years, sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and may increase your risk for skin cancer. Be sure to follow best practices for sun protection: regularly apply sunscreen, take breaks in the shade and wear protective clothing.
Stay away from cigarettes
Smoking damages collagen and elastin (fibers that give skin its elasticity), making your skin look older.
Be gentle
Sometimes we’re pretty rough with our skin. Try shorter showers, mild soaps, a gentle pat to dry yourself and daily moisturizer.
Heat-related illnesses occur when the body is overheated and cannot properly cool itself. Heat related illnesses can be life threatening and can also cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.
Hydrate, a lot
Become familiar with these symptoms: Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating, cold, pale, clammy skin, fast or weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tired or weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting. Seek medical help right away if the person is vomiting or if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.
Certain foods, like dairy or sugar, could trigger a skin reaction (like acne). Knowing which foods to avoid and eating a nutritious diet could do wonders for you skin.
Heat Stroke: High body temperature of 103 degrees F or higher, hot, red, dry or damp skin, fast/strong pulse, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, losing consciousness. Call 911 right away! Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Help Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses by Following These Simple Rules • Stay hydrated • Wear appropriate clothing • Stay cool indoors • Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle
Water helps our bodies flush toxins and keeps the skin hydrated.
Eat for good skin
Manage stress
Stress might throw off your hormones and cause acne breakouts or other skin problems. Learn more about managing stress here.
Self-exams and when to see a dermatologist Get in the habit of checking your skin every month for any unusual changes. If a skin condition covers more than 10% of your body, you notice changes in spots, have a spot that itches, hurts, scabs, or bleeds, or have fever, muscle pain, or trouble swallowing, see a dermatologist right away. If skin cancer runs in your family, you may want to regularly see a dermatologist once a year or every six months to stay ahead of the game.