DMEC News: January 2018 - Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC)

Recognition for Departing EAC Members

DMEC would like to thank five retiring Employer Advisory Council (EAC) members for their long-term dedication in helping us respond to member needs, develop new DMEC programs and services, and build the integrated absence management community.

“Marlene, Loyd, Deborah, Michael, and Robin have been passionate advocates for DMEC over the years and instrumental in supporting DMEC and the collective effort to advance the absence and disability management profession through education, knowledge, and resources,” said Terri Rhodes, DMEC CEO.

These EAC members shared their impressions about their service.

Marlene Dines, National Integrated Disability Management Leader, Kaiser Permanente, EAC Term: 2009-2017

“As an EAC member, whether helping plan the future DMEC strategy or evaluating conference topics, I was fortunate to be supporting the disability management world.” Dines is also the 2016 Partnership Award winner, has presented at several conferences and chapter events, and has been an active board member for the Northern California (San Francisco) chapter for many years.

Loyd Hudson, Manager Integrated Disability, American Electric Power, EAC Term: 2005-2017

“I participated in the EAC because DMEC is one of the premier organizations in integrated disability. It’s nice to meet with peers and professionals who are truly active in integration.” Hudson, who has served on the EAC since its inception 12 years ago, was also a CPDM instructor and contributor for the DMEC publication Tools of the Trade, is a frequent conference presenter, and is a 2009 Partnership Award winner,

Deborah Jacobs, Leave/Disability Manager, Amazon, EAC Term: 2005-2017

“One of my passions has been to improve the employee experience when a behavioral health diagnosis is involved, and I’ve been able to do that as an EAC volunteer.” Jacobs, who has served on the EAC since its inception, also served on the DMEC Behavioral Health Conference Committee, has presented at several conferences, and was the Southern California (Long Beach) chapter President/Vice President for more than a decade.

Michael Moses, CPDM, CLMS, Disability Case Manager for Kaiser Permanente NW, EAC Term: 2009-2017

“Serving on the EAC allowed me to collaborate with the some of the best thought leaders in the disability community.” For several years Moses served as President of the Oregon/SW Washington chapter.

Robin Davis, Sr. Manager, IDM Operations, JCPenney, EAC Term: 2011-2017

Davis also served as the President/Vice President of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter for several years.

Welcome to New EAC Members

We are also excited to welcome six new EAC members who begin their two-year terms in 2018:

Kymberly Clay, Integrated Absence and Disability Management Administrator, City of Long Beach
William Frystak, Disability Case Manager, GlaxoSmithKline
Thomas LeRoy, Manager of Workers’ Compensation & Risk Management, Maine Health/Maine Medical Center
Hilary Mitchell, Director of Employee Health Services, Pitney Bowes
Deborah Templin, Director of Disability & Occupational Risk Control Services, University Hospitals
J. Michael Vittoria, Director of Benefits & Human Resources Solution Center, Lifespan

These new EAC members have already been active with DMEC through their chapters, @Work magazine, or other venues. We look forward to their continuing contribution to DMEC and the absence management industry.

DMEC Board Treasurer Joe Wozniak Retires

Always passionate about DMEC and its mission, DMEC Board Treasurer Joe Wozniak is retiring from the organization after nearly 25 years of service. Wozniak’s forte has been his attitude: always ready to soldier on at all hours with whatever project needed attention.

In his first major DMEC effort, he assisted with the 24-Hour Coverage Model work group for a legislative effort in California that put DMEC on the map as an authoritative voice for employers. Soon after he became Treasurer of the Southern California chapter, when DMEC had only a few hundred dollars to its name. In 1996, Wozniak was named to the National Board upon the retirement of the first Treasurer, co founder Diana Henderson.

“From those early days until now, he has held the rudder steady for a solid financial foundation for DMEC,” said Chairman Marcia Carruthers. “His stewardship of our resources has meant that we could accomplish great things, and for this we are grateful.”

“Joe has always been readily available to support DMEC (and me) in whatever way he could. His cheerful demeanor and can-do attitude will be missed, ” said Terri Rhodes, DMEC CEO.

It wasn’t just what Wozniak did that mattered; it was his gusto in doing it. At conferences, he could be spotted as “senior bag stuffer” during the days of preparation, and as “captain of exhibit hall giveaways” once the show was up and running. Outgoing and sociable, Wozniak quickly spotted and welcomed newcomers. “He has been responsible for untold numbers of new members and keeping current members engaged,” said Carruthers.

Expressing DMEC’s gratitude, Carruthers said, “he has helped get us to where we are today. I wish him only the best as he moves into his next life chapter, enjoying his kids and grandkids, traveling, and sharing it all with his partner Jan. We toast Joe for many, many fruitful years to come!”

Welcome to New National Sponsors

DMEC’s National sponsors are a committed group of supplier organizations that help us deliver on our mission and vision of providing focused education for absence and disability professionals. We would like to acknowledge and thank them for their continued support of the organization.

In 2018, we are pleased to welcome Sedgwick as a new Diamond sponsor, The Partners Group as a new Platinum sponsor, and FINEOS Corporation, Genex Services, and Reliance Standard Insurance/Matrix Absence Management as new Gold sponsors. We look forward to their partnership and participation in DMEC.

The full list of National sponsors includes: