October 2022 PULSE

SOCIAL…IT’S ON!

It’s 2:12 on Thursday, September 22nd as I am writing this. You may not remember when you read this, however it has been raining hard all day. We will conclude PTSMC’s run of social gatherings tonight at Hammonasset Beach State Park. The previous events in Naugatuck, Southington and West Hartford have happened in our parking lots under PTSMC tents. As luck would have it, tonight’s event is being held in a pavilion at the park. It’s on and I’m looking forward to another great event with our amazing people!

This nal event hosts our people from Branford, Essex, Lock Street, New Haven, Orange and Westbrook locals. Any PTSMC member will be welcome, and we are excited to be expecting over thirty people this afternoon. I keep watching the weather and it looks like it will get better later in the day. Fingers crossed…

…It is now Friday, September 23rd, and I am picking up the column where I left o . The weather cleared up and everything came together last night! Somewhere around 4PM the clouds began to dissipate, and the sun started breaking through. It was a little chilly, however those of us who braved the chill and puddles were rewarded with a great social and a spectacular sunset. The food was provided by the famous SUPER DUPER WEENIE food truck. I can’t remember the last time I ate a hot dog, and now I feel like I need to call my cardiologist and confess to eating two of them!

Each social had a slightly di erent feel based on the location, the food and the people that attended. They also had some awesome things in common. It was great to see our people reconnecting in person and without masks! It’s crazy to consider that many people were meeting each other for the rst time in person, when they may have worked together from afar for a year or more. The energy was extremely positive and palpable at all of the events over the past few months.

Our September 20th social was hosted in the Admin parking lot. For me, this gathering reinforced the “why” of hosting these events. The tents were ready and the food truck was gearing up. We anticipated hosting between thirty and forty people and about fteen minutes before it kicked o it

started raining! We did have 50-60 people, and during the heaviest downpours, everybody piled under the two PTSMC tents. You couldn’t help but be social!

My family and I live about four blocks away from the o ce, and I encouraged Sandra and Blake to stop by. Blake is twelve and eats large amounts of a limited menu. Tacos occupy a top spot on that short list, and so the taco food truck was a big hit. The rain slowed to a sprinkle and people mingled under the tents and in the parking lot. The food was great…though perhaps a little challenging to eat without many tables. (Making note for next year!)

When Blake’s dinner was ready, he asked if he could eat at the conference table. If you haven’t visited Admin, the conference room is the closest to the parking lot and thus the Social. I helped him get set up and explained that I was going to be outside with the rest of the PTSMC crew.

About twenty minutes later I came back to check on him. We were alone and I asked if he was enjoying dinner. Having gotten a thumbs up, I asked him, “What do you think of the event”? He stopped eating and listened for a few minutes. He said, “Well it’s pretty loud out there, and everybody is talking and laughing at the same time.” I nodded in agreement.

He paused for a few minutes still listening, looked puzzled and asked, “Do you get to call this work?” It was my turn to join the laughter we could hear from outside. “Sometimes son, sometimes.”

Thank you to everyone who was able gather and reconnect during this year’s “social season.” It is the relationships we share with each other that make PTSMC special.

Thanks, Alan

Congrats to Branford on their recent move!

Branford recently moved to a larger, more updated clinic in downtown Branford at 1224 Main Street. The new space has over 4,300 square feet. Congrats to Partner & Director Ted Raczka and the Branford team!

Patient Trends

IN THIS ISSUE

Shelton 1 Year Celebration & Ribbon Cutting

Read more on page 9

Clinician’s Corner by Jennifer Powers, Fair eld Physical Therapist Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Management: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2023 PTSMC Sponsored Courses Survey

HR Buzz Dependent Care Savings Accounts Inclement Weather Policy

Employee Spotlight

Cindi Theriault, Southington PSC & Massage Therapist

Techy Tips: Recognizing Scams

DEI: Taking Action Today - Inclusivity Through Individual Action

By Marilex Santiago

Wellness Program

#GetMoving

Halloween Events in CT

StriveHub Fab 5

“Terri c facility, equipment, and sta . Emily (Searle)'s my assigned PT. She's thoughtful, clearly skilled, and friendly. I feel as if I'm progressing with the plan she's crafted for me. Between Emily's expertise and the facility's nicely equipped space, I feel inspired to stick with my program to regain my joint strength and health.” - Branford

“Excellent therapist! Elena (Masiello) is extremely good and very knowledgeable. She rises above any therapist I’ve seen in the past. She also has a great personality and is very pleasant to work with. Entire sta are helpful, friendly and very competent.” - Wallingford

“The front desk sta are friendly and competent, the facility is clean, the atmosphere is friendly and upbeat and all of the therapists (especially mine) are wonderful, and the aides are very pleasant as well.” - Southbury

“I came in with knee pain and Cody (Morrissey) was able to completely eliminate all of the pain and strengthen the muscles around the knee. I thought for sure I was going to have surgery but thanks to the therapy that I received surgery is completely o the table and I’m able to walk normal again. Thank you, Cody!” - East Hampton

“Mike (McGowan) is awesome, great guy and knows his job, the atmosphere when you walk in feels like you have joined a team. All know customer service and all help each other with a smile.” - Windsor

CLINICIAN’S CORNER

Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Management: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By: Jennifer Powers, PT, DPT Physical Therapist at PTSMC Fair eld

I became interested in lymphedema management when I was a senior in college. My mom was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer and required immediate surgery with a partial lumpectomy and breast reduction. After surviving her battle with cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, as well as the pain and stress this put her body through, she was then diagnosed with Lymphedema stage 0. Hearing about her physical therapy sessions and how helpful her therapist was at reducing her edema, improving her right upper extremity functional mobility, and improving self-care ADLs inspired me to take an interest in this specialty to help others get their life back, restore function, and improve their quality of life.

The role of the lymphatic system is to absorb interstitial uid from the skin and subcutaneous tissues, transport the interstitial uid into venous circulation, and target immunological function by recognizing WBC’s, foreign cells, microbes, and cancer cells to respond to them and control infection.1 The organs in the body essential to the lymphatic system are lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, tonsils, and bone marrow.1 The lymph nodes are the ltering stations of the body and are located all over the body to respond to bacteria, toxins, and dead cells for ghting infections and enhancing the body’s immune capabilities.1 Lymph nodes are in di erent regions of the body and are as follows: inguinal, axillary, supraclavicular, epitrochlear, and cervical nodes.1 The most common lymph nodes a ected in breast cancer are the axillary lymph nodes which can cause disruption in ltration of uid causing upper extremity lymphedema.1

There are three categories of lymphedema and the most common we see in outpatient therapy is secondary lymphedema that can be caused by lymph node dissection, radiation therapy, tumor or tumor recurrence, trauma, surgery, obesity, parasites, and cellulitis.1 In the outpatient setting, I have seen patients with UE and LE lymphedema due to lymph node dissection post lumpectomy, cellulitis in the LE, and comorbidities associated with obesity. There are two phases in lymphedema treatment in physical therapy. Phase 1 consists of manual lymphatic drainage, multi-layer short stretch compression bandaging, lymphatic exercise, skin care, and education in lymphedema self-management.1 Phase 2 involves a self-management program with education on self-lymph drainage, home exercises, a proper skin care regimen, compression bandaging or garments, and bandage alternatives.1

A study by Tan and Wilson entitled “Clinical Outcomes After Physical Therapy Treatment for Secondary Lymphedema After Breast Cancer” utilized a sample of 120 women who had breast surgery involving dissection of axillary lymph nodes and divided participants into the early PT group and educational strategy group.2 This single blinded randomized controlled clinical trial proved that the group who received early physical therapy which included manual lymph drainage, scar tissue massage, and active / active assisted UE exercises had clinically signi cant results when comparing reduction in arm circumference from lymphedema. After a one year follow up, the researchers performed a survival analysis with all but

four women that participated in the study which proved a signi cant di erence with secondary lymphedema being diagnosed four times earlier in the educational group who did not receive any hands-on care.2

Buragadda et al published a study entitled “E ect of complete decongestive therapy and a home program for patients with post mastectomy lymphedema” performed a pretest-posttest design experiment with a sample size of 60 individuals divided into two groups, a conventional and a complete decongestive therapy (CDT) group.3 The conventional group received manual lymphatic drainage, low elastic compression garments, glenohumeral mobilization, deep breathing exercises, and were seen 5 times per week over a 6-week period.3 The CDT group received manual lymphatic drainage, low elastic compression garment, remedial exercises, home program and seen for the same duration as the conventional group. The remedial exercises were provided by the physical therapists that involved teaching the participants a warmup activity of active mobilization for ve minutes, shoulder girdle mobilizations with scapular retraction, protraction, depression, shoulder extension, elbow exion/extension, wrist exion/extension, followed by pectorals and trapezius stretches.3 The PT educated the participants on a 1-hour program involving self-lymphatic drainage, skin care and the remedial exercises. The results of the study concluded that both groups had signi cant improvement in UE function, decreases in pain and lymphedema with the valid outcome of the VAS and modi ed truncated cone method.3 The CDT group was e ective and showed greater improvement in the volume, pain, and upper limb function than the conventional group. They concluded that with the self-taught exercise/self-lymphatic drainage program, individuals gained more con dence to move their limb without fear.3 Overall, this study highlighted the importance of assisting breast cancer survivors with loss of function, con dence, and improve their overall quality of life.

I know from personal experience, it is hard to see a loved one go through pain and loss, while their function declines, and you wish there was something more you can do. Evidence shows that early treatment intervention post cancer treatment is e ective for addressing impairments, improving mobility, quality of life. I am interested in helping treat those in need to help get their life back, because cancer shouldn’t get to de ne the rest of you or your loved one’s life or function.

Reference

1. Myers, B. A. (2019). Wound management: Principles and practice. Pearson.

2. Tan, C., & Wilson, C. M. (2019, May 30). Clinical outcomes after physical therapy treatment for secondary lymphedema after breast cancer. Cureus. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6666846/

3. Torres Lacomba, M., Yuste Sánchez, M. J., Zapico Goñi, A., Prieto Merino, D., Mayoral del Moral, O., Cerezo Téllez, E., & Minayo Mogollón, E. (2010, January 12). E ectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: Randomized, single blinded, clinical trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2806631/

CLINICAL EXCELLENCE

Upcoming Courses

INTERNAL COURSE SPONSORED COURSE

Lower Extremity

November 12, 2022

8:30am - 12:30pm

Location: PTSMC Orange

Instructor: Melissa Boutagy DOCS Requirement

Upper Extremity

February, 2023

Location: PTSMC Wallingford

8:30am - 12:30pm

Instructor: Russ Woodman DOCS Requirement

Myopain Dry Needling 1: Foundations 1 October 14-16, 2023

QU North Haven Campus

Myopain Dry Needling 2 & 3

DN-2 Foundations II: February 3-5, 2023

DN-3 Advanced: May 19-21, 2023

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

Calling All Clinicians:

PTSMC Sponsored Courses Survey

The following survey is a list of courses that PTSMC can sponsor for 2023, and we need YOUR direct input to decide!

What is a PTSMC Sponsored Course? It is a course instructed by an outside company that PTSMC brings in-house at negotiated rates for our clinicians.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTSMCsponsored2023

The courses for next year will be arranged based on survey response, so we encourage all PTs and PTAs to participate.

Survey closes October 14th. Thank you!

UPCOMING JOURNAL

Interested in a Medbridge account? Talk to your clinic Partner/Director for approval, then email mallory.mason@ptsmc.com. PTSMC receives a corporate rate of $206 per account.

If you are in the DOCS Program and do not have a Medbridge account, reach out to mallory.mason@ptsmc.com. There are two courses on Medbridge required for program completion.

CLUB AND CASE DICUSSION DATES

Case Discussion (DOCS Requirement)

10/11/22 Lower Extremity 11/08/22 Lower Extremity

Journal Club (open to all clinicians)

10/25/22 Lower Extremity 11/29/22 Lower Extremity

PTSMC is excited to welcome Elizabeth Chew (Spring eld College) for her clinical rotation in Windsor with Mike McGowan.

2022 Annual Conference

October 22, 2022

University of Hartford, Hursey Center

PTSMC will receive a group discount- $160/person

Email coned@ptsmc.com if you plan to attend or have already registered on your own to receive the group discount. See conference details here:

https://www.ctpt.org/About-Us/2022-Annual-Conference/

*Please note, there are no CD or JC in December.

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

Email Danielle.Dunn@ptsmc.com to be added to the meeting group.

Use the link above for a list of PTSMC Internal, PTSMC Sponsored, and External course opportunities. Please reach out to Mallory Mason via coned@ptsmc.com if you have any questions.

APTA & CTAPTA included!

HUMAN RESOURCES

DEPENDENT CARE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (DCSA)

Are you paying for dependent care for your children or elderly parent? Did you know that PTSMC o ers a program where you can get reimbursed for those expenses with PRE-TAX dollars through payroll?

Employees meeting the following eligibility requirements can have PRE-TAX deductions from their paychecks to be reimbursed for dependent care expenses tax free.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Employee has a child or disabled parent or spouse who needs daily care while you are at work.

• Incurring the expense allows you to work.

• Employee must be scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week.

• Eligible expenses may include the costs for dependent care at home or in a day care center or after school care for children under age 13.

• Employee may contribute up to $5000 in a calendar year to the dependent care savings account if you are married and le a joint return, or if you are single and le as head of household.

There are a few government rules and regulations regarding this bene t. If you are interested, please contact Sandra Boccialetti at sandra.boccialetti@ptsmc.com for speci c details.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

It’s hard to believe we are talking about inclement weather, however with hurricane and winter season coming up below is the policy reminder.

Employees - reach out to your Director with any questions.

For any inclement weather days the following guidelines should be followed:

• Hourly (nonexempt) full time or part time employees will not be paid if they do not report to work. They will be paid for any hours worked on the inclement weather day. They can use vacation time, take unpaid time or make up the time in that week. If an hourly employee makes up time in the following week they must be paid overtime if they work over 40 hours.

• Salaried (exempt, Full Time Physical Therapists) should be encouraged to work additional hours to make up for the lost visits. The hours can be made up in the current week or the week following the inclement weather day. If a salaried employee works for any part of the day or makes up clinical hours they will be paid for their full day. If a salaried employee does not work any part of the inclement weather day or does not make up clinical hours they shall use vacation time.

• If a clinic closes for one or more days due to severe circumstances, whenever possible, extension of clinical hours per day or into the weekend may occur.

CONGRATULATIONS!

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

Anna Donato, Essex Jade Flanagan, Orange Ali Gallucci, Fair eld Skylar Ibitz, West Hartford Joyce Mak, New London

Mariah Martin, New Haven Delaney Mastriano, Westbrook JoAnna Moomjian, Fair eld Sydney Osborne, New Haven

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Physical Therapist Branford Danbury East Hampton Lock St New Haven New London Southbury Westbrook Physical Therapist Assistant Westbrook

PT Aide Danielson Essex Groton Guilford Middletown Naugatuck Orange Plainville Putnam Southbury Westbrook Windsor

Patient Services Coordinator Avon Guilford New Haven Westbrook Windsor Athletic Trainer Westbrook

Director of Marketing Admin Auditor Admin

Check www.PTSMC.com/job-openings for our most up-to-date postings, and feel free to share! Call Karen or email at karen.havlicek@ptsmc.com if you are interested in a position.

NEW EMPLOYEES

Payton Anastasio, Branford PT Aide

Robert Baemon, Waterbury PT Aide

Ken Caselnova, Glastonbury PT Aide

Matteo Cavaliere, Middletown PT Aide

Thomas Cruz, Groton PT Aide

Chase Cole, Glastonbury PT Aide

Justin Cyr, Wallingford PT Aide

Elmer Galvez, Watertown PT Aide

Jocelyn Lucero, Branford PT Aide

Welsey Johnson, Southington PT Aide

Bernie Lapaan Avon/Wethers eld Physical Therapist

Olivia Matlosz, Naugatuck PT Aide

Alexa Medor, Naugatuck PT Aide

Lucille Meyer, Shelton PT Aide

Nicholas Parker, Wethers eld PT Aide

Xantiana Sanchez, Southington Physical Therapist

Cameron Whalen, Middletown PT Aide

Katie Scalora, Shelton PSC

Mike Stofko, Shelton Physical Therapist

Melissa Walton, Watertown PSC

Lana Bilichka, Shelton PSC

Joslyn DePina, Shelton PT Aide

Cara McEvoy, Guilford PSC Welcome Back!

Reilley Merrill, Wallingford PT Aide

Kayden Roman, Glastonbury PT Aide

Spot light

Cindi Theriault, Southington PSC & Massage Therapist

Cindi Theriault started with PTSMC in 2010 when the Southington location was acquired. Right away Cindi developed a great relationship with Southington Partner Pete Cambi and his team. Cindi had already been doing part-time o ce work and massage therapy with the group that was acquired and was happy to be able to continue her work. Keeping both positions was important to her, because she loves being able to use her physical skills for massage and using her mental skills for patient services.

Cindi’s story is especially inspiring. As a mother, a wife, a family member, a friend and a co-worker, Cindi is a source of positivity wherever she goes, always. Cindi is a cancer survivor. Her positivity is palpable, even since being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in August of 2021. Gratefully, in July of 2022, Cindi underwent a successful bone marrow transplant, and she has been in remission ever since!

Thinking about the support of her family, her, the Southington o ce and Admin o ce still brings Cindi to tears. She shared that to battle through, “I could only be a positive thinker. There is no time to be negative.” Her focus was always on beating the disease, especially for her kids. Her 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter think she is one tough cookie, and she wants them to remember her resiliency and positivity in the face of such a challenging time. Cindi shared that she did go through the process of losing her hair from treatments. While she now wears beanies as well as four di erent wigs, she is still able to put a positive spin on it, laughing that her daughter has given each of her wig’s names.

Continuing to focus on the positives, Cindi, her husband and their family spend their time together doing the things they love. While they “basically live at the baseball and softball eld,” they actually live in Bristol. Their favorite thing to do together is get out on a lake! The family owns a shing & ski boat, and they take it out as often as they can, most often on Highland Lake and the Twin Lakes. The kids love the lake and boat activities while Cindi loves to relax and read. Their family usually rents a lake house each summer for a week and a few long weekends here or there. As a family, they also love to hike, be on the beach, and go on bike rides. Their dream is to one day own a lake house of their own!

One thing that Cindi loves to do, her “something for herself,” is woodworking. At home, the family has a two car garage which they regularly turn into a makeshift workshop. On nice days, Cindi and her husband might even expand their project into the backyard. Cindi is a big Pinterest fan and nds great inspiration for projects there. The pair often work their magic by taking apart old pallets or barnwood, sanding, staining, and re nishing them, and then turning those pieces of wood into fun or functional household items. For example, they’ve made a kitchen table, benches for storage and sitting, window treatments and headboards. Cindi also has a knack for holiday decorations. She has wooden pumpkins out now and a wooden snowman on deck!

We’re grateful to Cindi for sharing her inspiring story, and grateful to have someone as strong, multitalented, and positive as Cindi on our team!

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Jen Rosenberg 2 Fair eld

David Cusack 3 Wethers eld

Becky Passante 5 Guilford

Bill DiGiuseppe 5 Guilford

Alex Gauthier 6 Essex

Isabella Mesturini 6 Middletown

Victoria Fainstein 6 New Haven

Stephany Rozsa 6 West Hartford

Caley Nigro 7 Lock Street

Alex Morton 7 Wallingford

Jaclyn Skirkanich 7 Westbrook

Marcus SantaMaria 8 Essex

Daniel Sauve 8 Naugatuck

Miranda Jasienowski 9 Groton

Lana Bilichka 9 Shelton

Nathan Biega 11 Avon

Jacob Hurlbert 11 Westbrook

Grace Triquet 12 Fair eld

Cindi Theriault 12 Southington

Fred Havlicek 13 New Haven

Curtis Henry 14 Guilford

Stephanie Santos 14 Watertown

Ryan McConville 14 Watertown

Caitlyn Ayotte 15 New London

Chloe McCue 16 Groton

Jake Trotter 17 New Haven

Bilikisu Amunikoro 19 New London

Gabbi Wise 20 Admin

Alyson Whelan 21 Essex

Bernie Lapaan 21 Wethers eld

Logan Edwards 23 Windsor

Jade Flanagan 24 Orange

Dylan Nickel 25 Avon

Stephanie Svede 25 Shelton

Joshua Ogunmwonyi 27 Waterbury

Meghan Blanusa 28 Naugatuck

Caty Halpin 29 Admin

OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES

Jared Lynch Data Analyst Admin

Shelby Pocius Employer Services Admin Specialist

Linda Mullin PT Aide Lock Street

Je Hoerst Physical Therapist Glastonbury

Zoe Trotta PT Aide Wallingford

Micah Lee PT Aide Guilford

Olivia Brunelle PT Aide New Haven

Michele Sember PT Aide Branford

Liannie Negron PT Aide Naugatuck

Kilah Mendes

PT Aide New Haven

Jackie Gargano Massage Therapist & Branford PT Aide

TECHY

RECOGNIZING SCAMS

TIPS

In the technological world, scams can come in many di erent forms, most frequently: email, phone calls, and text messages. The general rule of thumb is, question the source.

Email scams have become more aggressive and sneakier, so it’s important to be aware of the signs of scam emails.

• Look at the domain an email is coming from. The domain is after the @ sign. For example, if you receive an email from David.Lawrence@ptsmc.com, the domain is: ptsmc.com. If you trust the domain, then it’s probably safe to review the message. If you do not recognize the domain, you can move it to junk or delete the email. Be on the lookout for scam accounts that combine common domains, such as ptsmc@gmail.com. In this case, the domain is gmail – not PTSMC, and anyone could’ve created this email account.

• If you don’t recognize the domain, check to make sure the email address and sender name match. You can hover over or click on their name to reveal their email address.

• Review the language of the email. Scam emails often have urgent or threatening language, an o er that is too good to be true, contain grammatical errors or strange wording, or ask for personal or nancial information.

• The biggest warning sign is if an email asks you to download something or click on a link. Unless the email is from a source you trust, never download anything or click on links.

When in doubt, screen shot the email and send the picture to the IT department for further investigation.

This time of the year (around elections and holidays) phone call and text message scams are very common. Always be skeptical of a number you do not know!

• If the caller ID is Unknown, Anonymous, Scam Call, or you do not recognize the phone number, it is best to not answer at all and let the call go to voicemail.

• If you do answer, know that longer the scammer has you on the phone, the more persuasive they become. You can hang up at ANY time!

• Hang up on phone calls and do not reply to text messages requesting money, personal information or nancial information.

• Text message scams often contain pictures, links and requests for you to reply. Be sure to BLOCK these numbers then delete the message from your phone. Avoid clicking on any links and do not reply to the text.

Remember, ALWAYS question the source, NEVER give out personal information, NEVER comply with requests involving money, and ALWAYS follow your gut instinct if it’s pointing towards a scam.

UPCOMING

OF MONTH DEADLINES

SEPTEMBER END OF MONTH

Timeframe Documentation FD Balancing

9/1 - 9/30 10/6 at 6:00am 10/7 at 7:00pm

OCTOBER MID MONTH

Timeframe Documentation FD Balancing 10/1 - 10/14 10/20 at 6:00am 10/21 at 3:00pm

OCTOBER END OF MONTH

Timeframe Documentation FD Balancing 10/1 - 10/31 11/7 at 6:00am 11/8 at 7:00pm

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Take Action Today: Inclusivity Through Individual Action

By Marilex Santiago, Administrative Coordinator

During the month of September, I had the opportunity to meet with some of our clinicians and the CT APTA DEI committee for active conversation about DEI in the profession of Physical Therapy. When thinking about diversity in PT, there is a clear underrepresentation of minority groups in those who seek out the PT track. A main objective from both meetings was HOW can we as members of the PT community begin to create more inclusivity in the profession? A true 30,000 ft view objective.

This goal will take time and big systemic shifts, but is there somewhere small we can start? The answer is yes, and it's starting within one's self. Taking action as individuals will impact creating a more inclusive culture within our workplace and lead to improvements in the profession. The following are steps that the PTSMC West Hartford clinic and I reviewed in a recent workshop, that you can start implementing today:

1. Learn more about the community and history of the patients you are interacting with daily: A quick online search for your town’s demographics can give you a breakdown of what the population looks like from race, sex, age, education, and so on. Knowing this information is a good starting point to nd an area of opportunity to learn more about a culture you are unfamiliar with. Even better is getting out into the community and interacting with community members yourself.

2. Examine how implicit bias might impact interactions with patients: Implicit bias isn’t a conscious choice. Rather, it’s the result of a lifetime of social conditioning that causes us to tie speci c qualities to a given demographic. It can lead us to make unconscious assumptions about a person based solely on appearances. Recognizing and deconditioning unconscious bias takes e ort. To identify your implicit bias, take these Implicit Association Tests and re ect on the results.

3. Practice empathy to build connections: Empathy is having the ability to sense what someone else is feeling or thinking - to share in someone else’s perspective. Practicing empathy takes work and requires us to be vulnerable; the connection gained being well worth the e ort. You can build empathy by volunteering, keeping up with current events, practicing listening skills, and choosing media with creators of diverse backgrounds and stories with di ering experiences.

These are just a few of many steps that can be taken to increase how inclusivity can become a daily practice. If you would like to learn more, reach out to me at Marilex.santiago@ptsmc.com. I am more than happy to o er education, articles, resources, and discussion to help move the conversation forward.

PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST

It’s o cially spooky season, which means... it’s time for The PTSMC Pumpkin Decorating Contest! This year, 32 pumpkins will take the social media stage for employees and patients to vote for their favorite! Here’s what you need to know:

A pumpkin will be brought to the clinic by each Partner/Director from the Management Meeting (October 21st), if not earlier.

Your clinic will decorate, carve, and paint to create the best pumpkin and put it on display in your clinic.

A picture of your clinic’s pumpkin must be submitted via email or text to Emily Fillion by October 26th.

Patients, sta , friends, and family will vote for the best pumpkin between October 27th – 31st.

The WINNER will be announced November 1st!

Votes are placed through a survey, as well as counted through social media engagement. This means, any Like, Love, Comment or Sharing of your clinic’s pumpkin photo on Facebook, will count as a vote.

Need some inspiration or a refresher on the competition? Check out last year’s entries in this Facebook album.

Questions can be emailed to Mallory Mason at Mallory.Mason@ptsmc.com.

Last year’s winner: Orange

Holiday Food Drive

The annual Holiday Food Drive is a cherished tradition at PTSMC. President Alan Balavender began this initiative many years ago to give back and serve our local communities in need.

Through the generosity of our people and patients, last year alone, PTSMC collected and donated 2,574 items across the state.

These donations come from patients, employees, friends and family- anyone and everyone who are fortunate enough to be able to share and contribute.

For 2022, we are setting the bar high and have a goal to donate: 2,700 items

How can your clinic start preparing?

1. Designate a Food Drive Leader.

2. Choose the local group your clinic will be donating to.

3. Choose the time frame for collection.

This can be any time from now through the rst week of January. It is best to contact your donation site to see when items are most needed and base your collection on their delivery dates.

4. Designated leader, complete this survey about your donation information: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022FoodDrive

5. Colored yers will be made speci c to each clinic’s collection dates and donation sites. They will be mailed to clinics as soon as possible once the details have been submitted. Post yers in the Welcome Center and around the clinic.

6. Once it’s time to start collecting set up a collections box. Lots of clinics like to decorate around their box with the theme of the holiday they are collection for.

Southington Social

Admin SocialNaugatuck Social

Hammonasset Social

PTSMC Happenings!

Danbury planned a dress alike day but made sure that Partner & Director Josh McAdams stood out in red.

PTSMC clinicians attended the ICE Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner Course in Guilford on September 10-11th.

Watertown held a baby shower for Lauren Testa, PSA, who’s expecting a baby girl.

Lock Street threw a Bridal Fiesta for Kailey Hanks, physical therapist.

Fair eld had a Flannel Day to celebrate the beginning of fall.

Glastonbury PTs Je Hoerst (left) and Mike Popolizio gave free tness assessments to Anytime Fitness Glastonbury members.

From left to right: Janet Tarasuk (Practice Liaison), Drew Gallagher (Southbury Partner & Director), Erin Walsh (Waterbury Partner & Director), and Sandy Wickman Mason (Vice President of Operations), represented PTSMC at the Hartford Courant’s Top Workplaces Awards at the Connecticut Science Center.

Channing Harwood, Plainville PT, and Marilex Santiago, Administrative Coordinator got engaged.

Rob Bass, Middletown PT, and Jacky Severance, Middletown PSA, got engaged.

Partner & Director Nick Almonte for

es, and fun to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Shelton. RSVP to Emily at Emily.Fillion@ptsmc.com by October 10.

2022 CT Halloween Events

Now - October 29 Rails to the Darkside (East Windsor)

Now - October 29

Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours (Hartford)

Now - October 30 Fright Haven (Stratford)

Now - October 30 Phantom Fall Fest (Southington)

Now - October 30

Pumpkin Passage (Oakdale)

Now - October 30 Trail of Terror (Wallingford)

Now - October 31

Now - Nov 1

Now - Nov 4

The Dark Manor Haunted House (Baltic)

PumpkinTown USA (East Hampton)

The Nightmare Acres (South Windsor)

Now - November 5 Haunt on Eden (Plantsville)

Now - November 5 The Forsaken Lands (Goshen)

Now - Nov 5

Legends of Fear (Shelton)

Now - November 6 Evidence of Evil (Middle eld)

Now - December 2 Moonlight Graveyard

Ghost Tours (Mystic)

October 7-30

October 8-23

October 14-22

Terror at Quassy (Middlebury)

Nightmare on Main (Willimantic)

Scarrrybrooke Park Haunted Trail (New Milford)

October 21-29 The Haunting at Mill Hill (Norwalk)

October 29 Paracon (Uncasville)

October 30

October

#GetMoving

Oct. 17 - Nov. 28

Pumpkin Decorating Contest VOTING Oct. 27-31

Fall/Winter Gear Order Oct. 10-21

November

Pumpkin Winner Announced Nov. 1

PTSMC Food Drives Dates vary Nov. - Dec.

BRAGS Submit in Nov.

December

PTSMC Food Drives Dates vary Nov. - Dec.

Flu Shots & Vaccine Initiative Nov. - Feb.

#GETMOVING Triple Threat Challenge

3 Teammates

30 Minutes

33 Days

The #GetMoving Challenge is back and it’s all about the 3’s! Grab a team of 3 and join us for 33 days of commitment to your health & getting active. This challenge, we are upping the stakes and the prizes! It is truly a TEAM EFFORT because there will only be winning teams, no winning individuals.

Dates: October 17th –November 28th

The Challenge: For each day ALL 3 team members get active for 30+ minutes each, your team earns a point. If your team places in the TOP 5 you will earn… a PTSMC Long Sleeve & Hydro Flask!

Sign-up: 1 member of your team email your roster to Mallory Mason at wellness@ptsmc.com

Moxie Market (Branford)