August 2023 PULSE

LUCKY 13

PTSMC has received the summary data from the 2023 Energage (Top Workplace) Survey. PTSMC has participated in this survey 13 times dating back to 2011 with the goal of learning from and engaging with our employees. The feedback allows PTSMC leadership to identify the things we are doing well and the areas that need improvement.

My thanks to Mallory Mason, Director of Culture and Engagement who has been combing through the survey results and providing the statistics and information for this column.

This year, PTSMC had a participation rate of 73.6%; out of 443 employees surveyed, 326 responded. Although I do wish participation were closer to 100%, we exceeded the Energage average for survey participation!

PTSMC scored 81% in overall employee engagement, standing above the benchmark of similarly sized rehab companies average of 74%. An engagement score of 81% means that the vast majority of employees rate their personal experiences with PTSMC as positive. Additionally, PTSMC employees left a record-breaking 648 comments.

THE INFORMATION

There are four categories of questions within the survey labelled: Culture Drivers, The Basics, Healthcare, and Engagement.

Questions within the Culture Drivers category are related to the themes: Perform, Coach, Align, and Connect. The majority of the survey questions are in this category. It is also our strongest category because the “percent favorable” (percent of positive responses) for each theme was within the range of 85-89%.

The Basics category contains questions about: Bene ts, Expectations, Formal Training, Pay, and Work-life. Expectations, Formal Training, and Work-life percent favorable were within 82-88%. Bene ts and Pay ranged from 44-51%.

Healthcare consists of questions about: Tools & Resources, Burnout, Mission, Patient Safety, Patients First, and Excellent Care. In all themes related to patients, 88% or more of responses were positive. The Burnout percent favorable was 67%.

Engagement is derived from Loyalty, Motivation and Referral. The frequency that employees responded positively to these questions results in an “Engagement Score”: 81%.

DEEPER DIVE

The “initial” dive into the feedback indicates PTSMC has a strong culture and is made up of people who care about what they do and each other. We are thriving as an organization.

IN THIS ISSUE

One current area of focus is Burnout. Within the 648 comments, “documentation burden” and “documentation time” are the standout phrases most commonly used in negative comments. The challenges and administrative burdens of documentation are real and can lead to Burnout.

Based on these concerns, PTSMC has started interviewing EMR providers to see if we can nd an alternative to WebPT that could make life easier on our clinicians and front desk. One signi cant limitation we have observed in our current system is the lack of seamless integration, which results in information duplication and ine ciencies. For instance, data that has already been keyed into the system is not being properly integrated, leading to unnecessary redundancy and time wastage. We have had proposals and presentations from Raintree and Prompt thus far and our Lock Street o ce has been using WebPT’s SOAP 2.0 since December 2022. My thanks to the clinical, administrative and front o ce sta who participated in these demonstrations. Your input is extremely valuable in deciding if we remain with WebPT.

As part of our internal e orts, we are conducting a thorough review of our documentation standards and expectations. We are delving into crucial questions: Are we capturing the necessary information e ectively? Can we streamline our documentation without compromising quality? Are there instances where we're overdoing it or providing excessive updates? Are there more e cient alternatives to achieve similar outcomes?

I would also like everyone to know that burnout is the lead topic in all the Partner and Director calls this quarter with the JAMS group (Jim Hungerford, Alan Balavender, Mike Durand and Sandy Wickman Mason). The health and wellbeing of our people is critical, and the topic of burnout is a top priority. We need to understand what we are currently doing that is helping and consider alternative solutions.

Statistically Pay and Bene ts are typically the lowest scoring categories on Employee surveys. That is true at PTSMC. Our plan is to dig deeper on the Energage results and obtain more detailed information from sta to identify where changes can be made.

I will continue to keep employees updated as we gain more insights and determine actions from this survey. You can expect to see a report on the comments coming out in a future PULSE.

As for our Lucky 13, we will have the results of the Top Workplace award in September. Thank you for your commitment to making us better and thank you for making this a GREAT place to work.

Thanks, Alan

CONGRATS TO NEW BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALISTS!

Clinician’s Corner by Quinn McAnaney, Guilford Physical Therapist

Hot Topics in Baseball: Weighted Balls and Pitch Counts

Congrats to Recent DOCS Graduates

Employee Spotlight: Allyson Melillo

Remote Services Coordinator

Money Beat: The Bene ts of 529 Plans By Jim Hungerford

DEI: Embracing Language Diversity in Physical Therapy

By Marilex Santiago

Reminder!

Join us for two PTSMC Social Hours!

AUGUST 24TH @ Hammonasset

AUGUST 25TH @ Admin O ce

Flyers with more details have been mailed to clinics and emailed to all employees.

StriveHub Fab 5

“I appreciated the skill and professionalism of my therapist, Olivia (Tarca). She adapted to my needs and complexities providing outstanding care. The team is welcoming and supportive and the environment is relaxed. Whether you are a patient who is younger rehabbing a sports injury or older with di erent issues, a patient can feel comfortable.” - Windsor

“Jackie (Skirkanich) has been great to work with! Her positive energy together with her compassion & knowledge make it a great experience. The sta work together to help. The front desk sta are friendly and helpful.”

- Westbrook

“It’s easy to see how much the employees care about you reaching your goals. Everyone is so friendly and makes you feel welcome right away. I highly recommend PTSMC!” - Putnam

“My therapist, Natalie (Peterson), is wonderful. She listens to me and always has an exercise plan for me to do at home. I call her the miracle worker. She has helped me tremendously over the last few years.” - Plainville

“Mike (Stofko) is a great PT who listens to my concerns & cares about my wellbeing. He is intelligent & very passionate about his job which is why I would recommend anyone to work with him. I have felt an improvement in mobility & a major decrease in pain. He’s amazing at what he does.” - Shelton

Liza Peressini, PT, DPT, OCS Danbury

Mario Paredes PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT Orange

Zack Currie, PT, DPT, ATC, OCS Guilford

Conner Gavin, PT, DPT, OCS Orange (transferring to Groton soon!)

CLINICIAN’S CORNER

Hot Topics in Baseball: Weighted Balls and Pitch Counts

By: Quinn McAnaney, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS Physical Therapist at PTSMC Guilford

If there is one thing that matters most to developing baseball pitchers, it’s velocity. Whether it’s advancing up levels in travel ball, high school, or the college recruitment trail, these numbers can dictate a lot. Over the last 5-10 years, the topic of weighted baseballs has taken over as a way to increase throwing velocity. The concept is simple: train with a heavier baseball to then perform with more speed with a standard baseball. Some of major league baseball’s best pitchers continue to advocate for its e ectiveness in the o season and as part of a warmup during the regular season. With so many young eyes on social media and the never-ending need for a competitive edge, youth baseball continues to see an uptick in the utilization of weighted baseballs. But at what risk?

Mike Reinold, a leader in the eld of sports medicine, recently conducted a study in 2020 examining the performance bene ts and injury risks associated with weighted baseball training programs in high school baseball players. Over a six-week period, the study demonstrated a 3.3% increase in pitching velocity and a 24% injury rate in the weighted baseball group. Additionally, 67% of the control group demonstrated an increase in pitching velocity just based on the weight training program that both groups were performing throughout the study. Lastly, there was a signi cant increase in shoulder external rotation ROM between 3-8 degrees depending on the weight of the ball in the weighted ball group. Reinold believes that this acute gain in “layback” or ER ROM is the reason for the increase in velocity and injury rates found in this study.

I think the results of this study are fascinating. As a sports resident in South Carolina in 2019, I was fortunate to treat an abundance of little league, high school, college, and professional baseball players and I cannot tell you how many times this topic was brought up by parents and athletes in the clinic. Because weighed baseballs are so well utilized among the professional ranks,

naturally it will trickle down to youth sports. However, we need to consider the impact that the extra stress of weighed balls is placing on elbows and shoulders at such a young age. If injury rates were this high in the high school population, I cannot imagine the stats among little leaguers. In general, we need to proceed with caution in athletes who have incomplete growth plate closure, poor throwing mechanics, and underdeveloped musculoskeletal systems. As clinicians, we can utilize this study to better educate patients and parents about the risks associated with this tool and feel a bit more comfortable with its use in the college and professional setting if performed using a structured program.

On the subject of youth baseball, I also wanted to also bring up the topic of pitch counts. One of the biggest predictors of injury in youth baseball is overuse. While many coaches follow appropriate pitch count guidelines, there are still many conversations I have with parents about their kids pitching on back to back days in tournaments and not getting adequate rest. As clinicians, we can improve strength/ROM, throwing mechanics, force development and kinetic chain usage, but all of that falls apart with elevated pitch counts. Major league baseball and USA baseball have put together age appropriate pitch count charts that outline recommended pitches and rest days for coaches to better protect these athletes. I highly recommend having a copy in your clinic to provide parents and athletes to better control this variable and help reduce injury risk.

Bibliography:

Reinold MM, Macrina LC, Fleisig GS, Drogosz M, Andrews JR. Acute E ects of Weighted Baseball Throwing Programs on Shoulder Range of Motion. Sports Health. 2020 Sep/Oct;12(5):488-494. doi: 10.1177/1941738120925728. Epub 2020 Jun 29. PMID: 32598234; PMCID: PMC7485027.

Pitch Smart Guidlines URL: https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines

EXCELLENCE

Upcoming Courses

SPONSORED COURSES INTERNAL COURSES

Modern Management of the Older Adult

September 16-17, 2023

Instructed by ICE

Cervicothoracic (DOCS)

October 14, 2023

Intructed by Danielle Dunn

Congrats to DOCS Grads!

The Clinical Excellence Team would like to recognize and congratulate the recent graduates of the Development of Clnical Success (DOCS) Program!

Click HERE for full descriptions of the upcoming courses: https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/KxtTDaeeIf

Email Mallory Mason at ConEd@ptsmc.com for all sign ups or questions. All course attendance must be approved by Partner/Director.

CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES LIST

Click HERE for full list of Internal, Sponsored and External con-ed opportunities. https://ptsmc.egnyte.com/dl/RCnzB8GqVU/Clinical_Excellence_List_of_Courses.xlsx_

UPCOMING JOURNAL CLUB AND CASE DICUSSION DATES

All meeting are 12:00-1:00 pm on TEAMS.

Upcoming CD dates: 08/08, 9/12, 10/10 (all on Lower Extremity)

Upcoming JC dates: 08/22, 9/26, 10/24 (all on Lower Extremity)

Click HERE for the full 2023 schedule.

Email Meghan.Blanusa@ptsmc.com to be added to the meeting invites.

STUDENT PROGRAM UPDATE

PTSMC’s CI training video is updated for 2023! New and experienced CIs are encouraged to complete the (brief) training to learn the latest documentation and compliance guidelines as well as review strategies for maximizing e ciency while hosting students. It will be sent out to all CIs within one month of their students starting.

Are you interested in hosting your rst student and want some more information? Contact Juliann.Chacko@ptsmc.com for more information and to view the brief training video.

Matt Baronowski, PT, DPT, CMTPT - Avon

Jen Powers, PT, DPT, CMTPT - Fair eld

Lauren Randall PT, DPT, ATC - Wallingford

The graduates were asked to re ect on their DOCS Program experience and share the most in uential parts of the program, as well as what they look forward to pursuing next for continuing education.

Matt: For me, the most in uential part of the DOCS program was the mentorship. Having an experienced clinician work through challenging cases was invaluable as a new graduate. The coursework built on the basics of explaining and demonstrating new examination techniques, as well as treatment. The DOCS program built con dence, progressed my examination and interventions, and added to my ability to e ectively communicate with patients. In the next few years, I will be looking to obtain my OCS, but for now I would like to focus on my ability to improve my vestibular knowledge.

Jen: For me, the most in uential part of the DOCS program was gaining knowledge and learning from di erent mentors and partners in the company in a close-knit environment, as well as forming relationships with other clinicians from across the state. It is so amazing being part of a big company in which you can share resources and develop friendships and professional relationships and learn from each other with lecture and hands-on application all through PTSMC. My hope is to pursue a certi cation in manual orthopedic skills to improve and learn more hands-on techniques to help better my knowledge and give my patients the best care possible.

Lauren: The most in uential part of the DOCS program was getting to learn from other skilled PTs in the company that come from di erent clinical backgrounds and learning new perspectives and treatment skills. Next, I plan to pursue more clinical education courses about vestibular rehabilitation.

Employee Spot light

By Mallory Mason, Director of Culture & Engagement

Allyson Melillo, Remote Services Coordinator

Evolution with PTSMC

Allyson Melillo joined PTSMC in 2015 through the acquisition of the New Haven (Prince Street) and Branford locations. At that time, she was doing PSC work and continued to do that for the next 3-4 years. Back then, Allyson shared an o ce with Cindy Hales (Accounts Receivable Coordinator), who was also a part of the acquisition. They worked in close quarters, and Allyson fondly remembers she was always hot with a fan, and Cindy was always cold with a heater.

In late 2019, Allyson joined what was then called the Veri cation team in the administrative o ce. She was looking for more responsibility and growth, and this was that next step for her. She continued to work out of the New Haven clinic until COVID hit. In the height of COVID, Allyson went back to her roots and supported the Wallingford clinic as a PSC for a few months. As COVID reshaped the work world, Allyson went back “behind the scenes” and fully remote from home.

Even though she does “not like change,” Allyson took on a big new sector of PTSMC when she started managing Guilford remote authorizations in 2021. This was a big change for PTSMC and one that Allyson took in stride and still manages today. Additionally, Allyson began what is a ectionately known as “balancing” in 2022. There is a team of Admin sta who are dedicated to ensuring visits and new patients in WebPT EMR and WebPT Billing match. As that team evolved, so did Allyson, and she is now the lead of this team and refers to balancing as her “baby.”

Allyson’s current title is Remote Services Coordinator. In this role, she veri es bene ts for six clinics, manages Guilford authorizations, manages balancing throughout the month, and also lls in for the Authorization and the Veri cation departments when coverage is needed. In all her roles throughout the years, Allyson has kept a special work relationship with the original New Haven sta who are still working for PTSMC. Especially Cindy and Christine Ra one (Senior Authorization Coordinator) who also joined other Admin departments. Allyson & Christine still go to happy hours with the New Haven crew ��

On Personal Time

Allyson is a consistent gym goer- she works out every day! Her current workouts of choice are HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts. She’s been using the Ladder App, and she’s “kind of obsessed with it.” Every Sunday night she goes on to the app, picks a team associated with one of the 10 trainers, and gets her workouts for the week! Allyson likes to work out in the evenings during the week, because “it’s the 5 am alarm that is the struggle.” Allyson is an avid participant in the PTSMC #GetMoving challenges. Since she consistently works out, it’s a no-brainer. On the days she doesn’t want to go to the gym, the challenges always keep her motivated.

Another love of Allyson’s is concerts- mostly country concerts. She is going to TidalWave Music Festival in Atlantic City this summer for a 3-day country concert extravaganza! Other than the festival, Allyson plans to spend her weekends this summer hanging out with friends and going to the beach. She likes to take all of her trips in the winter to escape the cold. (She tried the skiing and snowboarding route and was not her thing.) Her sister lives in Jacksonville, FL, and brother in CA, so she has a few warm places to visit. She visits FL most often! Allyson also loves sports, and you can always count on her to go to at least one Giants game each football season.

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Megan Morgan 2 Admin

Carly Rabinovich 3 Avon

Dan Vala 3 Middletown

Kevin Connellan 3 Plainville

Alayna Taylor 5 Glastonbury

Colleen Menard 5 New Milford

Isabella Thompson 7 Simsbury

Anna Donato 8 Essex

Zack Brown 8 Middletown

Celia Debrocke 8 Newington

Justin Danville 8 Simsbury

Michelle Kijewski 8 Wallingford

JoAnna Moomjian 9 Admin

Michael Castleberry 9 Orange

Kayla Wong 9 Shelton

Lucille Meyer 10 Shelton

Lauren Roy 11 Wethers eld

Jessica Owens 12 Orange

Kaitlyn Carrubba 12 Southington

Kelly Goddard 14 Wallingford

Craig Katko 15 Essex

Morgan Brown 15 New Haven

Skyler Rapuano 16 Essex

McKenzie Daniels 16 Newington

Tom Kassan 16 West Hartford

Erik Schmitt 16 Westbrook

Katherine Fan 17 Shelton

Briana Boulerice 18 Waterbury

Carl Rosa 18 Watertown

Elena Masiello 19 Wallingford

Olivia Tarca 19 Windsor

Wesley Cheng 20 Avon

RJ Harkin 20 Danbury

Katie Castillo 20 Orange

Adam Antunes 21 Naugatuck

Jack Pearce 22 Admin

Jake Siedel 22 Middletown

Olivia Matlosz 22 Naugatuck

Erik Olsen 24 Southbury

Kailey Hanks 25 Lock Street

Nick Almonte 25 Shelton

Casey DeLucia 27 Branford

Jovan DuBose 27 Groton

Je Lo 27 Westbrook

Stevie Fell 29 Admin

Andrew Kalach 29 Fair eld

Tracy Laramore 30 Admin

Alyssa Wright 31 New Haven

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

Jocelyn Lucero PT Aide Branford

Payton Anastasio PT Aide Branford

Kriti Patel PT Aide Branford

Samantha Jarry PT Aide Essex

Samantha Amico PT Aide Fair eld

Jurni Soares PT Aide Glastonbury

Chase Cole PT Aide Glastonbury

Michelle Colar PT Aide Groton

Thomas Cruz PT Aide Groton

Aaliyah Rodriguez PSC New Haven

Nicholas Lopez PT Aide New Milford

Anna DeBellis PT Aide New Milford

Brianna Galeazza PT Aide Orange

Morgan Cannin PT Aide Orange

Meghan Burke PT Aide Orange

Andrew Varcoe PSC Orange

Miranda Smith PSC Putnam

Katya Lazor PCC Simsbury

Annalise Kieley PT Aide Simsbury

Kimberly Schor PT Aide Simsbury

Justin Danville PT Aide Simsbury

Emma Topper PT Aide Southington

Kaitlyn Carrubba PT Aide Southington

Nicole Carter PT Aide Southington

Serena Trinh PT Aide Wallingford

Justin Cyr PT Aide Wallingford

Allyson Hickey Physical Therapist Watertown

Nicholas Parker PT Aide Wethers eld

Rebecca Petrosino Partner Fair eld

Erik Lanese Athletic Trainer Waterbury

Jason Smutnick Physical Therapist Windsor

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion DEI Embracing Language Diversity in Physical Therapy

Enhancing Patient Care and Cultural Inclusion

By Marilex Santiago, DEI Lead & Administrative Coordinator

According to the 2020 Census, 22.3% of people in Connecticut speak a language other than English at home, which means about 1 in 4 people are non-English speakers. The CT community is a melting pot of languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian - talk about variety! Read on to learn why language diversity plays a pivotal role in PT, and what resources are available to help create an inclusive environment.

So, why does this matter? It's all about leveling up patient care and creating an inclusive healthcare space. When patients can communicate in their native language, magic happens! They can describe their symptoms and medical history more accurately, which helps therapists diagnose and treat them better. Improved communication also facilitates a stronger therapeutic relationship, as patients feel more comfortable and supported during their rehabilitation journey.

It’s not just about the patients; therapists also get to learn from di erent cultures, making them more well-rounded and empathetic professionals. PTs who are familiar with cultural nuances can tailor their approach to better align with patients’ beliefs and values. This cultural sensitivity aids in building trust and also prevents misunderstandings that could impede progress and recovery.

To help foster an inclusive environment, PTSMC has created a language resource that can be found here. This language resource is an up-to-date list of clinicians, PT Aides, and front o ce sta who can speak another language and feel comfortable translating for patients. If a patient would like to seek care at your location and no one speaks their language, there are resources online such as Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and DeepL Translate. In addition, PTSMC is working on paperwork translations and o ce signage in various languages. If you have any suggestions or questions, we’d love to hear it –Marilex.Santiago@ptsmc.com

By embracing language diversity, physical therapy becomes an awesome experience for all, and it shows that we value every single patient, no matter what language they speak. So, let's celebrate language diversity and make patient care as diverse as our community.

Engagement & Wellness Calendar

AUGUST

Monthly Awareness: Immunization Month

PTSMC Social Hours: August 24 (Hammonasset) & August 25 (Admin O ce)

SEPTEMBER

Monthly Awareness: Hispanic Heritage Month starting September 15

PTSMC Casino Night: September 30

OCTOBER

Monthly Awareness: National PT Month!

Fall/Winter Gear Order Store: October 16-26

#GetMoving Challenge

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Life Beat: National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) o er a number or resources to help plan for vaccinations you or your family may consider or need.

The FDA explains that vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to safely provide protection against viruses or bacteria that cause infection. After vaccination, the immune system is prepared to respond quickly when the body encounters the disease-causing organism.

Furthermore, vaccines help provide protection from an infectious disease and can lessen the severity of illness. If you are immune to a disease, you can be exposed to it without becoming sick. Simply put, because of advances in medical science, vaccines can help protect us against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of people have been eliminated primarily due to vaccines.

Utilize the links below for further education and resources about vaccines and immunizations:

• Learn about vaccines & immunizations from the CDC

• Review Immunization Schedules for any age

• The Adult (19 year or older) Vaccine Quiz from the CDC

• Childhood Vaccine Quiz from the CDC

• FDA Recognizes National Immunization Awareness Month

Casino Night

September 30th

7pm - 11pm

Dunkin’ Park in Hartford

PTSMC employees 21 and older are invited to a night of casino games with “funny money.” More details coming soon!

By Jim Hungerford, Associate Vice President of Finance

I have elded many questions about 529 college saving plans lately, so I compiled a quick snapshot of things you should know about these great college savings accounts. A 529 plan is a savings plan designed for educational costs and is tax friendly, exible, and available to anyone.

Here are ve things that not only parents, but grandparents and anyone hoping to get a leg up on college costs need to know.

1. O er Considerable Income Tax Bene ts to The Account Owner

529 plans o er federal and state tax-free compounding for as long as invested within the plan and there is never a required minimum distribution. Withdrawals for quali ed educational expenses are federally tax-free and Connecticut tax-free, if the money is used for college expenses.

Further, Connecticut o ers up to $10,000 per year in an income tax deduction (about a $500 tax savings) for contributions to its own 529 program, CHET, managed by Fidelity.

2. More Flexible Than You Think

There are no income or age limitations, and any adult can open an account for any person's future educational expenses. Account owners may change bene ciaries for any reason at any time. You can even name yourself as a bene ciary.

Additionally, the lifetime account contribution limits are generous, ranging from $235,000 up to over $500,000 per bene ciary. The plans are state-sponsored, and you can participate in any state's plan.

Funds from a 529 plan may be used tax free for most expenses at college, as well as other institutions such as art or cooking institutes, community colleges, trade and vocational schools and some eligible international school expenses. You may even be able to use 529 funds for up to $10,000 in elementary and high school tuition annually. Additionally, under recent legislation, you can now use up to $10,000 to repay quali ed student loans and to cover certain costs for qualifying apprenticeship programs.

With the passage of recent legislation, 529 account owners may be able to roll their leftover assets into a Roth IRA—for a designated bene ciary—making 529 plans an even more robust solution for long-term nancial planning.

3. Serve as An Estate Planning Tool

One of the great features of a 529 plan is that while you invest money for future education expenses, you also are reducing the size of your taxable estate. 529 plans are generally excluded from your taxable estate and thus not subject to estate taxes. It's important to note that you still control the assets and can access your money at any time.

Another important bene t of 529 plans is that they o er a way for grandparents and other family members to pass on assets to subsequent generations while enjoying certain tax advantages. With no withdrawal requirement, as owner with full control, you can designate who the account should be transferred to upon your passing and change such successor owner at any time, without any tax, cost, penalty, or fee.

Anyone, including grandparents, can contribute up to $17,000 per year ($34,000 for married couples) to any individual’s 529 plan, without triggering the gift tax. Additionally, they can bundle ve years of contributions into one $85,000 contribution ($170,000 for married couples), provided they make the required election on a gift tax return for the year of the contribution.

4. Minimal Impact on Financial Aid

The impact on nancial aid is typically minimal for 529 savings plans. The short explanation: If a parent is the account custodian, the child's nancial aid will decrease by no more than 5.64% of the account value.

5. Wide Variety of Investment Choices

Connecticut’s 529 plan, the CHET, o ers a wide variety of investment choices within the plan. CT’s plans are managed by fund manager Fidelity Investments. You can choose either an age-based strategy or a custom strategy based on your speci c investment goals. With an Age-Based Strategy, you invest in an Age-Based Portfolio that corresponds to the Bene ciary’s birth year. Each Portfolio becomes increasingly more conservative over time as the Bene ciary approaches college age.

PTSMC Happenings!

AUGUST

August 6 New London Kelly Half Marathon

August 24 Social Hour #1

August 25 Social Hour #2

Lock Street is hosting spirit days throughout the summer. Left: College Shirt Day. Right: Pride Day

August 25-26 Plainville Plainville Balloon Festival

SEPTEMBER

September 23 Simsbury Simsbury River Run

September 30 Casino Night

Andrew Perazella (right), New Haven PT, celebrated his student Jacob’s last day of his clinical rotation.

Are you participating in an event?

Reach out to Emily.Fillion@ptsmc.com

Watertown had a sta outing in July. They played laser tag and hit golf balls at the driving range at The Sports Center in Shelton. After that they went to Badsons Brewery for pizza and beverages.

SIMSBURY OPEN HOUSE

On July 12th Simsbury hosted an Open House and ribbon cutting to celebrate three years in business and recent renovations. Having opened on March 16, 2020, Simsbury never got to have a celebration before!

Danielson had a ra e for the 4th of July. Pictured is the winner, Rita! The prize was everything needed for a July 4th celebration from smores, soda pop, chips, handmade wreath, decorations and more.

Did you miss the July monthly video?

President Alan Balavender introduces his peer-to-peer group, and they share how the group has built lifelong relationships and helped them grow personally and professionally.

Spencer Lebel, West Hartford PT, presented at REI in West Hartford on running training and injury prevention.

Fair eld stretched runners out at the Fair eld Police Sunset 5k. Pictured from left to right: Assistant Director Andrew Kalach, PTA Harrison Picard, Partner Rebecca Petrosino, and PT Jennifer Powers.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the following PT Aides who completed the SIPTA (Skills Introduction for PT Aides) Program:

Erin Corbett, Plainville

Catie Dow, New Haven

Kelly Goddard, Wallingford

Carly Rabinovich, Avon

BLOG POSTS

REEL

Traci O’Brien, New London Physical Therapist, welcomed Daniel O’Brien on July 15th.

Ted Raczka, Branford Partner, and his wife Madison welcomed Amelia Eloise Raczka on June 19th.

Quinn McAnaney, Guilford Physical Therapist, and his wife welcomed Margot on June 20th.

Channing Harwood, Plainville PT, broke down “Jumper’s Knee.” He covered how it occurs and his favorite exercises to treat it.

SoCIAl Media Sensation

Employer Services

Employer Services Specialist

Shelby Pocius, MS, ATC, CEAS

III, ITAT, PES, NASE-CSS, and Injury Prevention Specialist

Je rey Sheridan, OT, wrote multiple blog posts about employer services. We shared the rst one this month. Stay tuned for more blog posts!