Workers' Comp Wednesday: Comebacks That Work

This episode of Workers’ Comp Wednesday features a powerful conversation with John, who experienced a workplace injury, and his wife, Heather. They share their firsthand experience navigating recovery, identity and workers’ compensation.  Joined by Stephanie Anderson and Ami Bowen, the group explores the moments that shaped John and Heather’s recovery journey culminating in John’s return to work. They offer a valuable perspective as a couple that’s collaborated with the Mary Free Bed Workers’ Compensation Team to craft a comeback that works.  Stay tuned for future episodes of Mary Free Bed’s Workers’ Comp Wednesday. New episodes drop every third Wednesday of the month.    #WorkCompWednesday #MaryFreeBedWorkersCompensation #WorkersCompensation #WorkersComp #Rehabilitation #ReturnToWork #MaryFreeBed 

In our fifth episode of Workers’ Comp Wednesday, the panel explores what an injured worker’s return-to-work journey looks like through multiple lenses, including clinical expertise, field case management and collaboration between stakeholders.  Together, Cory Sueing, a return-to-work occupational therapist with Mary Free Bed, and Allison Mulder, a field case manager with Genex, an Enlyte Company, join the panel to discuss a wide range of topics surrounding return-to-work programming. This episode highlights how clinicians, case managers, employers and claims professionals collaborate to keep recovery on track. Through real‑world scenarios and practical insights, the group explores why cases stall, how key services support progress, and how concise communication empowers workers as they return to meaningful employment. Stay tuned for future episodes of Mary Free Bed’s Workers’ Comp Wednesday. New episodes will drop every third Wednesday of the month. There's also a video version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r3hIr7Ulds  #WorkCompWednesday #MaryFreeBedWorkersCompensation #WorkersCompensation #WorkersComp #Rehabilitation #ReturnToWork #MaryFreeBed 

In our fourth episode of Workers’ Comp Wednesday, we explore how injured workers access acute rehabilitation.  Joined by Dr. Chris Rizik and Marisa Gonzalez, members of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation’s inpatient access team, the panel discusses the admission process and the unique opportunities that arise in workers’ compensation cases. The conversation highlights how early identification, strong stakeholder relationships, and clear communication can prevent delays and keep the injured worker at the center of care. The team also talks state by state regulatory differences, common barriers to timely admission, and collaborative strategies that help ensure workers receive the right care at the right time. 

In our third episode of Workers’ Comp Wednesday, we explore the growing clinical and financial impact of post-concussion injuries in the workforce and why timely, multidisciplinary care is essential.   For this conversation, the Mary Free Bed Workers’ Compensation team is joined by Michelle Terrell and Katie O’Brien, outpatient therapists with the Mary Free Bed adult post-concussion team. Through their discussion, listeners learn what concussions are, how they’re diagnosed, and the trends they’re seeing across different job types. They walk through best practice treatment approaches, how they tailor care to varied job demands, and the collaborative communication required across employers, adjusters, and care teams to ensure safe and appropriate return to work accommodations are put in place. 

In our second episode of Workers’ Comp Wednesday, we’re introducing two of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation’s inpatient care managers, Aubrey Myers and Nelly Brower. Together, they pull back the curtain on the fast‑moving world of acute rehabilitation, and what it really looks like when an injured worker enters the system.  Joined once again by Stephanie Anderson and Ami Bowen, this expert panel digs into why cross‑stakeholder collaboration isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Aubrey and Nelly share what happens behind the scenes as they balance medical needs, employer expectations, adjuster involvement, and the coordination of a full interdisciplinary team. They break down the tools, communication strategies, and processes that keep the worker at the center, even when competing priorities arise. 

In our first episode of “Workers’ Comp Wednesday,” meet the workers’ compensation experts at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. Stephanie Anderson, Ami Bowen, and Travis DeKruyter bring their unique perspectives to the complex, often “onion like” world of workers’ compensation.  Join our panel as they break down the most common challenges and misconceptions across the workers’ compensation system. Providers, insurers, employers, and care partners will all recognize themselves in this honest look at how priorities align and sometimes collide. You’ll walk away with practical insights to strengthen collaboration, streamline processes, and deliver better outcomes for your injured workers.