MAY 2020
StriveHub Fab 6 “Amazing staff and physical therapist. They are welcoming, upbeat, friendly and professional. Of course, the therapy was top notch, I made a full recovery from my injury. Thank you!” - Branford
A LITTLE LIGHT...
“I can't thank you enough for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I am hopeful that the two-week period between March 30 and April In the morning news on Wednesday, it was reported that 11 represent the worst of this pandemic’s damage to PTSMC and our Your knowledge and kindness have gone hospitalizations for COVID-19 infections in Connecticut have people. Still, I expect our eventual recovery to take a significant experienced a sixth straight day of decline. The report also noted above and beyond. I will be forever grateful that hospitals have been able to keep up with the demand for beds amount of time. The road ahead will likely be bumpy based on the to everyone who worked with me. Especialand services, and that a “significant continued decline of COVID-19 public’s comfort level, exposures and potential exposures. The promise of testing and contact tracing may help accelerate recovery. ly Joe (Allen) and Christina (Mogelniccases” is anticipated in May. The report concluded that we have reached the expected peak of infections and are moving in the right Only time will tell. ki). Thank you!!!” - Newington direction, towards the “other side.” This has been a life changing month, and this represents good news for all.
I want to take the time to share some updates regarding PTSMC now and in the near future. First, thank you! I am grateful to everyone in the PTSMC family currently working hard to keep us moving forward. Your commitment and sacrifice are inspirational. Without your efforts, our organization’s ability to improve the quality of peoples’ lives would not exist. I would also like to thank our partners and directors for their unanimous support in paying the employee portion of health insurance coverage for May and June. Several people have reached out to me directly in appreciation of the help in these difficult times. With respect to incentives in the first and second quarter, our Human Resources and leadership team worked hard to put a plan in place to “do the right thing.” We were concerned that bonus dollars could create negative consequences for anyone not at full employment and currently receiving some version of unemployment benefits. Sandra and Karen did a great job of creating and communicating options for those receiving bonus dollars to access those funds in a way that would be most beneficial to each individual. Thanks for your patience as we attempted to navigate the State and Federal laws.
The challenge we face now is attempting to predict and prepare for the future as best we can. We are doing our best to revise and model out the New Patient and Visit goals for the next two, four and six months. Each partner and director are pouring over spread sheets, staying connected to referral sources, and looking to the communities we serve with questions, whose answers will be indicators for their forecasts. Questions such as: What is happening right now? When will PCPs resume “normal” office hours? How soon will elective surgeries be allowed at hospitals and surgical centers? Are people tired of putting off physical therapy? Will masks and social distancing make people more comfortable seeking care? Are those customers on our waiting lists ready to come back in? How will the eventual loosening of restrictions change behavior? To say our “current reality” is difficult to navigate is an understatement. Yet, we must try. Our goal is to thrive and to bring our people back.
When my Mom was alive, she had a saying, “You can’t walk in anybody else’s shoes.” That saying helped me to be less judgmental of others; to be more open to individual differences and to accept that I have no idea what challenges those around me have lived with or are facing in their personal lives.
Drastic reductions in business during the second quarter of 2020 are As I walk in my own shoes, I can assure you, the compassion, inevitable due to the continuing impact of COVID-19, and the determination, and selflessness displayed this past month tells a financial implications of this have led us to suspend the incentive program for the second quarter. It is a difficult decision; however, I powerful story about who you are and what you do. believe it is important and appropriate. We are all coping differently, yet we are all in this together. I have Below, you will see two graphs depicting PTSMC’s New Patient and great faith in our PTSMC family. We will get through to “The Other Side.” Visit volume covering the seven weeks from Monday, March 16 to Saturday, May 3. This is a week-by -week snapshot of PTSMC’s most Thanks, important performance indicators. Remarkably, if we annualized the visit volume of the week of April 6 - 11, we would time travel back to PTSMC 2013, when we had only 13 locations! Alan
“I really appreciate the care, time, and understanding of the staff during this pandemic and the telecommunications that was put into place so we did not have to stop our sessions. Keep up the great work.Thank you Mario Paredes for your dedication. Stay healthy team.” - Orange “The staff is welcoming, bright and attentive, and the exercises and massage were spot on. My visits were recommended by my doctor to prevent frozen shoulder while I wait for surgery. I will return once I have my rotator cuff surgery. Thank you.” - Essex “Sam McMullen is my PT and his expertise combined with his kind and patient personality has exceeded my expectations. I greatly appreciate that he explains things to me and always ready to answer any questions I have. If anyone is looking for a PT, I will definitely refer them to Sam. :) Thank you so much for your services, I am extremely satisfied.” - Southington “We love using Telehealth appointments with Kasey (Adinolfi)! My daughter was able to continue rehabilitating her shoulder throughout the quarantine without skipping a week of therapy. Although she’s is not in the PT office, Kasey has developed and implemented a physical therapy program that combines exercises and household items to continue strengthening my daughter’s healing shoulder. We highly recommend staying connected and moving forward with PT through Telehealth appointments with Kasey." -Wethersfield
Medical: Cigna Remember HR is here to help all employees with questions or concerns you may have during this time. Continue to check your PTSMC email for important HR communications. The following are updates regarding Medical, Dental, Life and Short Term Disability benefits for eligible employees. All employees working and on full or partial layoff will continue with their current coverages.
Life and Short Term Disability: Guardian
Coverage will continue for all employees working and furloughed.
As mentioned in Alan’s April 20th communication, PTSMC will pay the full medical premium for all employees for the months of May and June. Employees will not be responsible for any of their employee contribution.
Dental: Guardian
Coverage will continue and employee contributions will continue to be deducted from paychecks biweekly for employees working. HR will be contacting employees on full layoff with options to pay their employee contribution until return to work. We are looking forward to when the PTSMC family is back together again!
What Happened in May of 2000?
May 2, 2000- GPS for the masses! Originally, the United States Military scrambled civilian satellite signals, making them intentionally inaccurate. President Bill Clinton ended this practice, allowing all citizens to use accurate GPS services.
Spirit day
May 23, 2000- Eminem released The Marshall Mathers LP, the fastest selling rap album of all time.
Clinics that Opened in May Groton in 2007 (top left, pictured from 2019 Ugly Sweater Contest)
Middletown in 2018 (bottom left, pictured from their 2018 Grand Opening) West Hartford in 2019 (top right, pictured from 2019 Pumpkin Decorating Contest) Avon expanded in 2013 (bottom right, pictured from Black & Red Spirit Day January 2020)
Plainville
Wallingford
Next Month
NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS & SPORTS MONTH! Wear your workout gear, especially any RETRO fitness gear you have! We’d love staff (and patients) to share home workouts on social media - tag @ptsmc!
Life Beat - COVID Comedy
Of course, COVID-19 is a serious pandemic, but sometimes comedy can make things a little better. Here are some of our best COVID-themed jokes! • I used to spin that toilet paper like I was on Wheel of Fortune. Now I turn it like I'm cracking a safe. • I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator. • I don't think anyone expected that when we changed the clocks we'd go from Standard Time to the Twilight Zone. • This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house, told my dog..... we laughed a lot. • So, after this quarantine.....will the producers of My 600 Pound Life just find me or do I find them? • My body has absorbed so much soap and disinfectant lately that when I pee it cleans the toilet. • I'm so excited --- it's time to take out the garbage. What should I wear? • Day 36 of Homeschooling: My child just said "I hope I don't have the same teacher next year".... I'm offended.
Financial Tips for Those Who Have Been Impacted by COVID-19 The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt around the world. Facing an economic downturn worse than the 2008 crisis, many of us are feeling overwhelmed by the stress of managing everyday expenses and future investments. There are multiple resources currently available to those who have had their income cut, including the $2 trillion economic stimulus bill and unemployment for those who have been laid off or have had their hours cut. PBS published an article with financial tips for those who have been impacted: 1. File for unemployment as soon as possible if you are eligible. The coronavirus stimulus bill expands unemployment insurance to more workers and offers up to an additional $600 for those who qualify through July. It’s important to apply ASAP, because states’ websites have been overwhelmed by the amount of applications. 2. Call your creditors. Don’t assume creditors will automatically waive late fees. If you are having trouble paying your bills, talk to your creditors and/or landlord about coming up with solutions. 3. Treat your long-term investments as you usually would. If you are able to continue contributing to your retirement funds, then do. The stock market historically corrects itself in the long run. 4. Look into you student loan payments. The stimulus bill has suspended payments on federal student loans until September 30th. This does not apply to private student loans. If you are able to continuing paying in any amount, then do, because interest is waived. 5. Take it easy on yourself. It’s okay to feel anxious and overwhelmed about more than money. This is not going to last forever, but it is a difficult time and it’s okay to process those feelings. Want more details? Read the full article at: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/worried-about-your-finances-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-here-are-some-tips?
Freebies for healthcare workers
To thank healthcare workers, many companies are offering special promotions. Here are a few we pulled from a list compiled by CNN. Don’t see your favorite? Call, go online, and check out their social media for the latest info! BJ’s has an Appreciation Hour every Sunday from 8 am - 9 am for healthcare workers to shop even if they don’t have a membership. Theragun is offering all healthcare providers up to $250 off a Theragun device now through May 4. To access this exclusive discount, medical personnel can reach out to info@theragun.com with the subject line "Frontline Discount" and provide an official ID or documentation. Cumberland Farms is offering a free coffee or hot chocolate for healthcare workers. AAA is offering free roadside service to medical workers. McDonald’s is offering a free meal until May 5th for healthcare workers.
Mask Deliveries!
Shoutout to Ryan Balavender, Director of Facilities, for delivering masks to the clinics!
Southbury
Southington
Plainville
Orange
Simsbury
Waterbury
New Milford