Time

Event

Speakers

8:00-8:30

Registration and Continental Breakfast

N/A – Networking

8:30 – 9:45

The Mental Health Crisis:  Strategies for the Workplace

Session Objectives

• Understand the mental health crisis prior to covid
• Understand how COVID exacerbated the mental health crisis
• Learn ways to reduce stigma and raise MH awareness
• Understand techniques to help maintain productivity and return folks with Mental Health conditions to work.

Kristin Tugman

Vice President Health & Productivity Analytics & Consulting Practice

Prudential Group Insurance

Dr. Kristin Tugman has been in the health and productivity consulting field for over 15 years and currently heads up the Health and Productivity Analytics and Consulting Practice for Prudential group insurance products. The team is responsible for analyzing lost time for large employers and designing and implementing solutions to help them minimize absence and maximize productivity.

She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has authored several publications pertaining to the psychological aspects of disability. Her work details a specific cognitive behavioral model to assist individuals in overcoming psychological barriers that prevent a return to productivity.

Dr. Tugman continues to actively research and develop techniques to assist individuals with psychiatric and other disabilities in maintaining appropriate function in the competitive work force.

She graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and earned a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Capella University.

9:45 – 10:00

Break

N/A – Networking

10:00 – 11:00

Emerging from COVID 19, a Rehabilitation Perspective

Session Objectives

• Describe how rehabilitation models have adapted to the COVID 19 health pandemic.
• Identify most common long-lasting functional deficits and impact of these deficits on individuals post-COVID.
• Define strategies for supporting individuals post-COVID in returning to former occupational roles.

Liz Larson MS OT

Director Acute Rehabilitation Center and Transitional Care Unit

Fairview

Liz supports teams that care for patients as they transition out of the acute hospital following a serious illness, accident or medical event. Liz completed her graduate degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Minnesota. She has worked for Fairview for 19 years in various roles within Rehabilitation Services.

Farha Ikramuddin, MD, MPH

Psychiatrist

University of MN Physicians

Dr. Ikramuddin is a physiatrist who cares for patients in need of rehabilitation and physical medicine. Her clinical interests include neuro rehabilitation, spasticity management and stroke rehabilitation. Dr. Ikramuddin is also academically interested in training medical students and resident physicians. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

11:00-12:00

Legal Update on Employment Law and Minnesota Workers Compensation Issues Related to COVID-19

Session Objectives

• Investigating COVID-19 WC Claims that do not fall within the presumption.
• Determining when to seek an WC IME for “long haul” cases and identifying the appropriate specialties.
• Strategies for managing employee return to work concerns and disputes.
• Managing accommodations requests of employees with restrictions and return to work concerns.
• Take away lessons learned and guidance about to avoid liability or dispute.
• Status of developing ADA and FMLA cases.

Christine Tuft

Attorney

Arthur Chapman

Chris works with insured and self-insured clients on matters related to workers’ compensation issues. Chris’ clients know that she is an aggressive advocate who understands their businesses and will help them reach their desired resolution, whether through settlement or by taking a case to trial.  

When representation is needed before the Department of Labor & Industry, the Office of Administrative Hearings, Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, or the Minnesota Supreme Court, it is important to have experience on which to draw. Chris’ more than twenty-five years of practice in the area of workers’ compensation means clients receive authoritative advice and representation in this often complicated area of the law. 

Through regular speaking engagements, the writing of articles and publications, and presentations before client groups, Chris provides education and analysis, as well as expertise on all aspects of Minnesota workers' compensation law.

Jim Pikala

Attorney

Arthur Chapman

Jim’s knowledge of the Minnesota workers’ compensation industry has been gathered from his zealous representation of clients throughout his legal career, spanning more than thirty years. Insured and self-insured clients alike rely on Jim’s vast experience with the Office of Administrative Hearings where he has represented hundreds of cases, the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court, where he has orally argued numerous cases. Clients know that Jim’s well-reasoned counsel and extensive knowledge produce effective resolutions whether through litigation or settlement.

Jim lectures extensively on the subject of workers’ compensation to both client and industry groups and has been a contributing author to the Workers’ Compensation Desk Book. Among his many roles, Jim acted as chairperson and as a presenter of Continuing Legal Education seminars for many years. Minnesota Law & Politics’ prestigious honor of Super Lawyer® has been bestowed on Jim for the past several years. In addition, Jim serves on Arthur Chapman’s three-member governing Board of Directors.

Sarah Bushnell

Attorney

Arthur Chapman

Sarah focuses her practice on efficiently solving a variety of complicated business and employment problems consistent with her clients’ goals. Sarah also defends professionals in regulatory investigations and malpractice actions. Clients appreciate Sarah’s creativity and skill and the time she takes to discuss the legal process and strategic options with them – from before a case goes into litigation and through all appropriate appeals.

Sarah has been selected for inclusion on the Minnesota Super Lawyers® list for the years 2013-2021 and is included on the Top 50: Women Minnesota Super Lawyers® list for 2016 and 2019.

She volunteers for the domestic abuse ministry at her church. Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.