September 2019 PULSE

IN THIS ISSUE Clinician’s Corner by PTSMC’s Orthopaedic

SEPTEMBER 2019

Residents PICO: Superior Forms of Exercise for Treatment of Lateral Epicondylalgia

PTSMC REFERRAL REWARDS

HR Buzz 401(k) Timesheet Reminders

Techy Tips by Kristen Forster While having conversations in Admin and with other PTSMC team members, we realized this program applies How to Add an Email Signature in Outlook App I tend to wear PTSMC gear all the time. While I am to more than just events. It became clear that our people Upcoming Wellness Events out and about, I continue to be amazed at how many were referring friends and family on a regular basis. people stop me and ask excitedly if I work for the Restricting the program to just clinicians or just at company. I always answer, “Yes, I am a physical “planned events” would really limit our ability to therapist with PTSMC.” I don’t go into much recognize those “spreading the word.” detail unless asked, but the majority of people I talk Southbury with are happy to share personal stories of how I am confident that personal referrals are coming from is celebrating someone at PTSMC helped improve the quality of every position in our company – whether from gathertheir lives. I hear stories of their experiences, and the ings with friends and family, community events, or even, experiences of family and friends that have trusted us as happens to me quite frequently, running into for years and received great care and customer someone at the store. I am hopeful that this program service at PTSMC. will reward those of you helping PTSMC grow and helping spread our PT for Life culture!

These unsolicited interactions reinforce my pride in September 12th who we are and what we do. I know that many of you You should have already seen the program details in an 4 - 7 pm have similar interactions and that you often take the email and in materials sent out by the marketing team. at the Southbury Clinic time to talk with people you meet about PTSMC. This document outlines the structure of the Rewards Program, as well as how to easily set your devices up to That’s why PTSMC is rolling out a Referral Rewards refer anyone and everyone to PTSMC. Feel free to reach “Kristina (Lipeika) really listens to what I have to Program for all employees as a way to say THANK out to Peter Decoteau or Emily Fillion with any say and she responds with very appropriate and YOU! questions! helpful treatment. She is also very compassionate. I

Thanks for helping spread our Mission!

StriveHub Fab 5

The original idea behind the program was to create a I hope you wear our gear with pride. I know I do. way to capture referrals at community events more easily. With this system, you don’t have to be logged Thanks, into WebPT, and you’re not “putting the ball into the patient’s court” by asking them to reach out to us.

Alan Who knows how often a potential patient in need forgets to call or ends up somewhere else!

WELCOME TO PTSMC FAIRFIELD! PTSMC Fairfield is opening in early September!

Located in Fairfield’s business district on Black Rock Turnpike, our 23rd clinic will be in the hands of Rebecca Petrosino, PT, MHS, OCS, COMT. Rebecca has been a physical therapist for over 23 years, and has worked in our Naugatuck, Orange, Southbury, and Waterbury clinics. Congrats to Rebecca!

fully trust her and I know I will get better with her treatments. In fact, everyone at PTSMC is wonderful from the receptionist to the therapists and PT aides.” - Watertown “Extremely professional, friendly, caring staff. It’s obvious they know what they are doing! I would highly recommend them!! Excellent job from all staff.”- New Milford “I even recommended my loved ones to this practice. Extremely nice, compassionate and very knowledgeable staff. Feels like a friendly environment from the moment you walk in.” - Plainville

“The therapists are wonderful and caring. I worked with Tracy (O’Brien) and Scott (Olmstead) and they both helped me so much in my recovery. The office staff is great and the assistants are also very helpful. I highly recommend them for any PT needs.” - New London ”From first call when Stevie (Fell) answered the phone, she was professional, gracious and cheery.

She explained what materials I needed in order to be ready for my first appointment. Everything went well. Rebecca Petrosino, my PT is highly skilled and has a wonderful presence with her patients. I would say that she is the top of the top. So far I have been extremely pleased.” - Waterbury

PTSMC Clinical Outcomes Reports Hopefully all clinicians have received copies of the WebPT Outcomes reports from their directors. These reports captured patients that were discharged between January and March of 2019. We run these reports for dates in order to capture patients discharged from their care.

Two reports were shared with clinicians. The first was the “Utilization” report that demonstrates the percent of complete outcomes captured in relation to the number of initial evaluations seen. Our benchmark goal for this is 50%. As a reminder, in order to fully complete an outcome on a patient an outcomes survey must be captured at initial evaluation and at discharge. The second report is the “National Clinical Outcomes Summary.” This report demonstrates how your individual outcomes compare to the national WebPT outcomes database.

Overall, PTSMC faired very well in our outcomes as compared to national norms. A few things to consider when completing outcomes for your patients: 1. Are you choosing the correct outcome study for your patient and their diagnosis? Here is a list of the outcomes tools or surveys currently available in WebPT. Please be sure to choose the tool that best matches your patient and their diagnosis.

Berg Balance Dizziness Handicap Inventory Foot and Ankle Ability Measure - Sports Subscale Hip disability Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score Knee injury Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score Lower Extremity Functional Scale

Modified Falls Efficacy Scale Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Neck Disability Index Questionnaire Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short Form 20 Upper Extremity Quick DASH

2. Does your patient fully understand what is being asked of them in the outcomes tool? In many cases patients may over-estimate or under-estimate their functional limitations. To ensure accuracy in outcomes please be sure to take the time to review their answer with them before finalizing in the documentation.

3. A full discharge, with outcomes, is required to capture outcomes data. Capturing an outcome at discharge continues to be our biggest challenge. As the therapist you can always re-open a discharged case for any patient that comes back within a short timeline for the same injury. Capturing an outcome and completing a discharge on the “potential” last day is one way to ensure you have captured the amazing outcome you provided for your patient.

We will continue to distribute these reports quarterly for each physical therapist. The next reports will be sent soon and will included patients discharged between April-June. In our continued conversations with payers, insurance companies and healthcare systems outcomes are becoming an increased topic of discussion. By starting outcomes collection in August 2018 we are ahead of the game. Showing actual outcomes to these stakeholders will present PTSMC as a leader that will not only be able to talk about the value we add to the healthcare system, we will actually be able to prove it. Keep up the great work!

2019 Courses Email coned@ptsmc.com to attend September 25, 11am - 1pm PTSMC Wallingford Basic Biomechanics: The Four Steps to Foot Typing Nolaro24 makers of QUADRASTEP & littleSTEPS foot orthotics FREE Email coned@ptsmc.com to register

September 28-29 PTSMC Guilford Therapeutic TherapistNeuroscience Physical Avon Education: Teaching People (part-time) Newington About Pain Southington Clinicians $475

October 12-14 Sacred Heart University Myopain TDN 3 Clinicians $1,095

November 14, 4pm - 8pm PTSMC Newington Vestibular/Concussion - Internal Course

by Rick Purdy

Clinical Excellence Updates As a reminder to clinicians in the DOCS program: Clinical Case Discussions – mandatory Upcoming dates: Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 6, Dec 4 11:30 AM -12:30 PM GoTo Meeting Journal Club Discussions – optional; HIGHLY ENCOURAGED Upcoming Dates: Sept 25, Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 18 11:30 AM -12:30 PM GoTo Meeting * Case Discussion & Journal Club are open to all PTSMC clinicians! If you’d like to participate in any please reach out to Mike Gans at mike.gans@ptsmc.com for the topics and access.

Adjusting your schedule for Case Discussion/Journal Club Due to this happening during your clinical day, it is expected that you take this hour of time as your lunch to not adversely affect clinical care.

For example, if you work 7-3:30 on Wednesday, take your lunch DURING case discussion or journal club.

If you work starting at 11:30am on Wednesday, take lunch 11:30-12:30. Then treat 12:30-8 straight through. If you’d like to take a lunch break in addition to your break for discussion, start your day at 10:30 am to see one patient prior to make up the time. Please keep your supervisor in the loop for any major changes.

Welcome to clinicians starting the DOCS Program!

Matt Baronowski, Avon Erica Drake, Guilford Pat Kinsella, Guilford Sam Mc Mullen, Southington Christina Mogelnicki, Newington Tyler Naef, East Hampton Nic Sauerbrunn, Windsor

Techy Tips

By Kristen Forster

How to Add or Edit an Email Signature in Outlook App

iPhone Step 1: Open the Outlook app, then tap your initial in the upper-left corner.

Android Step 1:Open the Outlook App on your Android device. Tap the menu button from the top left.

Step 2: Tap the settings gear icon on the bottom left of the menu.

Step 2: Tap the settings gear icon on the bottom left of the menu.

Step 3: Scroll to the Mail section and tap Signature.

Step 3: In the settings menu, tap on the signature section.

Step 4: In the Signature screen, erase the signature and enter a new signature. To set up a different email signature for a different account, turn on the Per Account Signature switch.

Step 4: Type or paste your new email signature into the text box provided and then tap the tick in the top right corner to save the signature.

Step 5: Tap the back arrow to return to the Settings screen and your signature is installed!

Step 5: Your email signature is now installed!

STUDENT PROGRAM UPDATE Taylor Alves (Sacred Heart) will start in Watertown with Kristina Lipeika and Lindsey Scianna on September 8th.

Amy Demers (UConn) will start in Branford with Ted Raczka on September 30th.

Renee Lascarides (Quinnipiac) will start in Wallingford with Ashley Tighe on September 9th.

Alyssa Lubin (Quinnipiac) will start in Orange with Katy Sullivan on September 9th.

Miranda Zygmunt (Quinnipiac) will start in Waterbury with Joanna Fisher on September 9th.

CLINICIAN’S CORNER

PICO: SUPERIOR FORMS OF EXERCISE FOR TREATMENT OF LATERAL EPICONDYLALGIA

By PTSMC’s Orthopaedic Residents John Galer, PT, DPT, CSCS - Guilford Erik Schmitt, PT, DPT - Westbrook Channing Harwood, PT, DPT - Plainville P: Is eccentric exercise superior to other forms of exercise for treatment of lateral epicondylalgia?

I: Eccentric exercise is commonly utilized in the treatment of tendinopathies.

Eccentric exercise is reported to involve lengthening the musculotendinous unit while a load is applied to it (Tiwari).

C: Non-eccentric based treatments include other forms of exercise (concentric, isometric).

O: Soderberg et al performed a single-blinded RCT examining pain-free grip and pain-free isometric wrist extensor strength in 42 individuals with over 1 month of lateral elbow pain, pain with palpation to lateral epicondyle, (+) Maudsley's test or Cozen's test. The exercise group used a 6 week home exercise protocol, progressively increasing the volume of eccentrics and the frequency performed. Both the exercise and control group used a compression brace. They found no change at the 3 week mark, however statistically significant improvement in both pain-free grip strength and wrist extensor strength at the 6 week mark. This article has a Pedro score of a 6/10, with limitations noted due to lack of blinding among the subjects, therapists, and assessors. They concluded daily home eccentric-exercise may be more effective than bracing alone in the treatment of lateral elbow pain.

A RCT utilized a group of 40 individuals ages 35 to 50 that were diagnosed with lateral epicondylalgia and were randomly divided into 2 groups; Flexbar exercise, and a progressive resistance exercise group. Inclusion criteria was pain at the lateral epicondyle for 3 or more weeks, and lateral elbow pain reproduced with gripping or a (+) Cozen’s Test. The Flexbar group performed the Tyler Twist (eccentric exercise) for 3 sets of 15 repetitions, and the PRE group performed seated dumbbell wrist flexion/extension with the elbow flexed and extended for 2 sets of 10 repetitions. After 3 weeks, the flexbar group had statistically significant improvements in reported pain on VAS, pain-free grip strength, and function according to the Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation. This article has a Pedro score of a 4/10, suggesting significant limitations in the authors methodology. They lacked blinding among assessors and subjects, did not have an adequate follow-up, and did not use an intention to treat analysis.

Stasinopoulos et al performed a single-blinded RCT to compare the improvements of pain, function, and pain-free grip strength with patients receiving eccentric training, eccentric and concentric training, and eccentric and concentric training combined with an isometric contraction. 35 individuals above the age of 18 were included in the trial and met the following inclusion criteria: if they reported pain on the facet of the lateral epicondyle when palpated, less pain during resistance supination with the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion rather than in full extension, and clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis. The average duration of symptoms was 6 months for each of the participants in this study. Patients were excluded from the study if they had 1 or more of the following conditions: (a) dysfunction in the shoulder, neck(radiculopathy), and/or thoracic region; (b) local or generalized arthritis; (c)

neurologic deficit; (d) radial nerve entrapment; (e) limitations in arm functions; (f) the affected elbow had been operated on; and (g) had received any conservative treatment for the management of lateral elbow pain in the 4 weeks before entering the study. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups, each receiving 3 sets of 15 reps of the respective treatment 5 times per week for 4 weeks.

Outcomes were measured at 0 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. All groups had a decrease in pain, improvement in reported function, and improved pain-free grip strength, but the only statistically significant improvement in each of these outcomes was found in the group receiving eccentric and concentric training combined with isometric contraction. With an 8/10 Pedro score, this study provides stronger support for the addition of isometric contractions in conjunction with the use of eccentric and concentric contractions for the treatment of lateral elbow pain. Two unfortunate weaknesses of this study were the small amount of individuals in each group, as well as the lack of a true control/no treatment group.

Peterson et al performed a non-blinded RCT comparing the difference between eccentric and concentric strengthening in decreasing pain with concentric wrist extension and improving wrist extensor strength. Exclusion criteria were any of concomitant supinator syndrome, compartment syndrome of musculus anconeus, rhizopathy, inflammatory joint disease, fibromyalgia, previous elbow surgery, and inability to understand Swedish. 120 patients between the ages of 20 and 75 with at least a 3 month history of diagnosed lateral epicondylitis met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to either an eccentric or a concentric treatment group. They performed 3 sets of 15 reps of either eccentric or concentric loading using a water jug for 12 weeks. Each week a specific amount of water was added to increase load. Outcomes measured were VAS with resisted wrist extension at 0 degrees and 90 degrees of elbow flexion, wrist extension strength measured with a dynamometer, and a DASH outcome measure. Both groups improved in all measures, but the eccentric exercise group had significantly faster recovery from pain during maximum voluntary contraction and maximum muscle elongation, and improvement of muscle strength as compared with the concentric group. The greatest difference was when measured at 2 months, but there was no difference between groups when measured at 12 months. Although the results of this study would seem to support the use of eccentric exercises over concentric ones, the Pedro Score of 5/10 demonstrates that the study was not without flaws. In particular, this study lacked any sort of blinding of the participants, as well as those collecting data.

Tyler et al performed a Randomized Clinical Trial with a Pedro score of 5/10 comparing standard PT treatment for lateral epicondylalgia vs standard treatment with added Isolated Eccentric exercise in acute – subacute groups of patients that had symptom duration of (ST 6 +/- 2 wks vs Tx 8 +/- 3 wks, P= 0.7) respectively. All patients went to 7-12 PT visits over 7-8 weeks and received wrist extensor stretching, ultrasound, cross friction massage, heat, and ice each visit. The treatment group had additional isolated eccentric wrist extensor strengthening. Eccentric protocol that consisted of exercise with Flexbar for 4 second contraction for 3 sets of 15 reps daily. Resistance was increased if the patient no longer reported discomfort with current resistance. They recruited 21

CLINICIAN’S CORNER CONTINUED

patients 6 men and 5 women age 47 +/- 2 years in ecc group, standard treatment group of 4 men and 6 women age 51 +/- 4 years. Eccentric wrist extensor exercise added to standard treatment for chronic LE over 7 weeks Groups did not differ in terms of age, duration of symptoms, number of visits or duration of treatment. Inclusion Criteria was Patients were included if they were diagnosed with lateral epicondylosis symptoms for greater than 6 weeks. Lateral epicondylosis was diagnosed using the following tests: (1) pain on palpation at the lateral epicondyle, (2) pain on resisted wrist extension, and (3) pain on resisted middle-finger extension. Subjects needed to test positive on all 3 tests to be included in the study. DASH, VAS, Tenderness, wrist and middle finger extension strength at baseline and after treatment.

Improvement in DASH was significantly better for Eccentric group (76% vs 13%), Pain decrease was significantly improved in the Eccentric group (81% vs 22%). There were no difference in strength improvement. Tenderness was improved in the eccentric group and unchanged in the standard care group.

All outcome measures markedly improved in the Eccentric exercise group vs the standard treatment group. They concluded flex bar eccentrics are an effective treatment for chronic LE. None of the dependent measures showed a statistical improvement in the standard treatment group. A limitation of this study was small sample size and blinding of assessor.

Martinez-Silvestrini et al performed a randomized controlled trial comparing effectiveness of home exercise program including stretching alone vs stretching supplemented with eccentric or concentric strengthening for treatement of chronic lateral epicondylalgia. Included patients had pain greater than 3 months. All patients received wrist extensor stretch with shoulder flexed to 90deg 3x30seconds 2x/day. Eccentric and concentric groups additionally performed Resisted exercise with elbow flexed to 90degrees, forearm resting on thigh, and resistance tubing anchored under foot for 3 set of 10 reps Eccentric or concentric exercise 1x/day. For 6 weeks. Pts were instructed not to exercise through pain. They also provided instruction for ice massage over Lateral epicondyle and were allowed to use counterforce brace if it provided relief. They recruited 94 subjects, 50 men/44 women age 45.5 +/-7.7 years. Stretching only group was significantly younger than Eccentric or concentric group. Dominant extremity affected in 58% of eccentric group, 87% concentric group, 79% eccentric group. 26/30 subjects in concentric group completed 6 weeks, 27/31 in the eccentric group completed the study, and 28/33 in the stretching group completed the study. Inclusion criteria: 1) pain localized to the lateral elbow (one or both arms), 2) continuous symptoms present for more than three months, and 3) maximal tenderness localized to the lateral epicondyle and pain with two of the following three maneuvers: resisted wrist extension, resisted middle finger extension, or chair lift test. The chair lift test is performed by lifting the back of a chair with a three-finger (thumb and index and long fingers) pinch and the elbow fully extended.

Pain free grip strength, VAS, Total Patient-rated forearm evaluation questionnaire, Dash. All three groups exhibited improvement in outcome and the authors highlighted that, “The eccentric group was not significantly worse than the other groups is an important finding.” There were no significant differences in any outcomes between groups.

Limitations include length of study, lack of supervision with exercise, no reports of blinding, 13 drop outs with intent to treat carry over, and reliance on patient reporting of home exercise completion.

Studies included involving acute and Subacute LE patients, with less than 3 months pain, all showed benefit from Eccentric exercise, vs other forms of exercise, in conjunction with a variety of Standard PT treatments. Peterson et al. was the only study included where chronic LE patients, greater than 3 months pain, exhibited significant improvement with specific Eccentric wrist extensor exercise. They found the Eccentric exercise group to have quicker recovery from pain after MVC and greater wrist extensor strength. The quality of the Peterson et al. study was low with a high risk for bias. The other two studies involving a population with LE pain >3 months had greater methodological quality, with blinding, and did not show any benefit from addition of specific Eccentric exercise for wrist extensors for treatment of LE. In both of these higher quality studies (Stasinopoulos et al. and Martinez et al.) involving patients with >3 months of LE pain, all groups performing some wrist extension exercise whether concentric, eccentric, or Isometric, showed improvement from baseline. In Fact, the Stasinopoulos et al. study concluded that the addition of isometric exercise to a program with either concentric or eccentric exercise, may be most beneficial for treatment of LE. There is weak evidence to support eccentric exercise over other forms of exercise for treatment of Acute and Sub-Acute LE. There is weak to moderate evidence to support the use of exercise, whether concentric, eccentric, or isometric, combined with standard PT treatment for LE with symptoms >3 months. Results from the highest quality study support further investigation of Isometric exercise for treatment of LE. References Martinez-Silvestrini JA, Newcomer KL, Gay RE, Schaefer MP, Kortebein P, Arendt KW. Chronic lateral epicondylitis: comparative effectiveness of a home exercise program including stretching alone versus stretching supplemented with eccentric or concentric strengthening. J Hand Ther.

2005;18(4):411-419, quiz 420. doi:10.1197/j. Jht.2005.07.007.

Tyler TF, Thomas GC, Nicholas SJ, McHugh MP. Addition of isolated wrist extensor eccentric exercise to standard treatment for chronic lateral epicondylosis: a prospective randomized trial. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2010;19(6):917- 922. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2010.04.041. 423. Tyler TF, Nicholas SJ, Schmitt BM, Mullaney M, Hogan Madhusudan Tiwari. Effectiveness of flex bar eccentric exercises versus progressive resistance exercises of wrist on pain, pain free grip strength and functional activities in sub acute tennis elbow. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. 2018;12(3),28-32 Soderbeg J, Grooten W, Ang B. Effects of eccentric training on hand strength in subjects with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized-controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 2012;22:797-803 Stasinopolous D, Stasinopolous I. Comparison of effects of eccentric training, eccentric-concentric training, and eccentric-concentric training combined with isometric contraction in the treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2017; 30: 13-19 Peterson M, Butler S, Eriksson M et al. A randomized controlled trial of eccentric vs. concentric graded exercise in chronic tennis elbow (lateral elbow tendinopathy). Clinical Rehabilitation.

2014; 28(9) 862-872

HUMAN RESOURCES TO COMPLETE AND APPROVE YOUR TIMESHEET

401(k)

Employees who would like to make a change to their 401(k) biweekly contributions for the 4th quarter of 2019 must complete the request by Friday, September 13, 2019 to be effective with the October 9, 2019 payroll. Login to www.jhancockpensions.com and click on Manage and Contributions.

Timesheet Reminders and Consequences

• Complete your timesheet daily • Do not complete ahead of time in case you do not work the hours you entered • Approve your hours by the end of the pay period • If timesheets are not completed by Friday at 8:30 pm at the end of the pay period your hours will need to be processed with the following pay period in 2 weeks • Check your email for biweekly timesheet reminders Congratulations!

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT PTSMC Patient Services Coordinator East Hampton Guilford New Haven

Physical Therapist Naugatuck New Milford Orange Director of Payer Relations Admin

Physical Therapy Aide Avon Community Development Coordinator Essex Middletown Admin (20 hours) Plainville Southbury IT Systems Coordinator Watertown Admin Westbrook Check PTSMC.com for our most up to date postings and feel free to share!

We’re always interested in connecting with referrals of colleagues and friends. Call Jenn or email at jenn.detlefsen@ptsmc.com if you are interested in a PT Aide position. Call Karen or email at karen.havlicek@ptsmc.com if you are interested in a position other than PT Aide.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Eric Horne Mike Gans Nick Scott Peter Decoteau Matt Baronowski Sam Dassatti Jacey Bissell Liz Melvin Pete Cambi Melissa Lembo Yair Lazar Joe Caligiuri Meghan DiPisa Brian Greer Mike Durand Ariana Caruso Wanda Figueroa Madelyn Vianney Amy Bellone Dan Spaargaren Caitlin Lehane Sam Donahue Daniel Gonzalez

1 4 4 4 8 8 9 9 9 11 13 14 14 16 17 18 19 20 23 27 29 29 30

Avon Guilford Westbrook Admin Avon Southbury Branford Avon Southington Guilford Westbrook Naugatuck New Milford Watertown Admin Waterbury/Naugatuck Admin Middletown West Hartford New London Essex Guilford New Milford

Ted Fifield, PT Watertown, welcomed Molly Frances Fifield.

Joanna Fisher, PT Waterbury, got engaged to Mike Smolewski.

ANNIVERSARIES

Emma Belval, PSC Westbrook, got engaged to Dennis Graham.

Ken King, PT Westbrook, got engaged to Ellen Donahue.

Bailey McPherson Danielle Butsch Dan Spaargaren Janet Tarasuk Mallory Mason Nathan Gockel Yair Lazar

Physical Therapist Practice Liaison/PT PT Aide Practice Liaison Administrative Coordinator PT Aide Athletic Trainer

Wallingford Admin/Middletown New London Admin Admin Plainville Westbrook

Jim Hungerford

Director of Accounting & Finance

Admin

Congratulations!

Victoria Carcova, PSC Orange, passed her Vascular Technology Exam. She’s now a Registered Vascular Technologist!

EMPLOYEE NEWS

NEW EMPLOYEES Welcome to PTSMC. We’re so happy to have you!

Front Row From Left to Right: Annie Barrett, PT Aide Olivia Montessi, PT Aide

Back Row From Left to Right: Casey Smith, PT Aide Branford Akosua Mensah, PT Aide New London Christine Boyd, PT Aide Groton Jessica Semmelrock, PT Aide East Hampton Ariana Caruso, PT Aide Waterbury Front Row From Left to right: Annie Barrett, PT Aide Branford Olivia Montessi, PSC & PT Aide Guilford

Michael Krukiel, PT Plainville

Back Row From Left to Right: Hannah Cook, PT Aide West Hartford Lauren Jameson, PT Aide New Haven Samantha Dassatti, PT Aide Southbury Middle Row From Left to Right: Charlston Bath, PT Aide Watertown Alyssa Vereneau, PT Aide East Hampton Eric O’Loughlin, PT Aide Newington

From Left to Right: Lauren MacDonald, PT Aide Essex Jenna Lagana, PT Aide Middletown Jia Gates, PT Aide Windsor Devin Defonce, PT Aide Southbury Elena Uradnik, PT Aide Essex Carson Mendoza, PT Aide Branford Matthew DaCosta, PT Aide Naugatuck Stephanie Terrace, PT Aide Westbrook

Front Row From Left to Right: Vanessa Silva, PT Aide Middletown Madelyn Vianney, PT Aide Middletown Anthony Lucia, PT Aide Watertown

Chris Wilkins, AT Middletown - Middletown HS

Ron Buchetto, AT Westbrook - Morgan HS

Destinee Boyd, PSC Fairfield

Congratulations on Promotion to PSA! PTSMC Guilford is excited to announce that Amanda Bozzuto has been promoted to Patient Services Administrator. Amanda joined our Guilford clinic in May 2018. Prior to joining PTSMC, her roles were animal focused. She is an animal lover! During her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs and being outside doing something active.

Amanda’s role as PSA will be to manage the daily front desk operations to ensure that our patients have an “over the top” experience and that everything that needs to be done is done in a seamless way. Guilford is PTSMC’s busiest clinic with 10 Physical Therapists and a Hand Specialist Occupational Therapist. They average 100 patients a day! Amanda is excited about her new role as PSA because, “it allows me to learn and grow as an individual and co-worker. I enjoy being able to help my peers and set a positive example for others within the clinic! PTSMC is a great place to be and I’m thrilled to be a part of their team! “ Steve Platt, partner and director in Guilford commented, “Amanda is a great fit for this role. She is upbeat, positive and customer centric. She embodies our PT for Life culture toward our patients and co-workers. This promotion is a win for Amanda, the Guilford staff and me.”

Life Beat

MEAL PREPPING HACKS September is a busy time of the year. School is back in session and that means all of us (not only families) need to prepare for longer commutes, hectic mornings, and time constraints. Planning your meals ahead of time can save you time and keep you from defaulting to quick and often unhealthy alternatives.

So, here are a few tips to maximize your time during the week and still eat real meals.

upcoming wellness Events Saturday, October 5th - WELLNESS MEET UP Apple picking at Lyman Orchards More info to follow in an email!

Saturday, October 12th - PTSMC is running/walking the Hartford Marathon & Half Marathon events to support Healing Meals.

Read more below!

Plan Your Week Make a shopping a list with meals in mind. This will save you time by preventing you from wandering around the grocery store trying to make decisions as you go.

Non-Negotiable Prep Time Consider this pro tip: Failing to prepare = preparing to fail.

You MUST take time to prepare or else you will be scrambling, stressing, and finding you don’t have time to make proper meals.

1-2 hours on the weekend will do the trick. Set a timer and dig in!

Pre-cut Veggies To save time, cut up your veggies and store in containers. Even your lettuce! Then, just grab when needed. You can also portion out servings of raw veggies into small containers to grab/pack for snacks!

Crockpot is King Save yourself time and use a slow cooker. Recipes are easy to find, and usually only include a couple of ingredients. “Can’t cook?”

Crockpots do it for you. Just throw in the ingredients, mix it around, and leave the pot to do the cooking. You can leave it on throughout the day and dinner will be ready when you get home!

Traditional Recipe Slow Cooker, Low Slow Cooker, High 45 minutes 6–10 hours 3–4 hours 50–60 minutes 8–10 hours 4–5 hours Dinner is Lunch Make extra of your dinner, so that you have a start to your next day lunch. For example: use the meat/veggies from “Taco Tuesday” in a salad or power bowl for the next day.

Stock & Batch Cook Grains Buy your grains in bulk. For example, oatmeal, rice, pasta, quinoa.

Stock up so you are only buying them at most once a month. Then, cook these items for the week. Keep them in a large container and take from that daily or fill portioned amounts in multiple small containers. They’re easy to reheat for lunch or dinner.

Make it FUN Have family, a significant other, friends? Get them involved in prepping! It will make things go faster, and everyone can have a task!

Try to do this prep together within a day of grocery shopping... you are more likely to do it sooner than you would be later!

PTSMC is proud to support Healing Meals, an organization that prepares and delivers delicious, organic meals for families dealing with a health crisis.

You can make a difference too! There are 3 ways to help: Run/walk one of the Hartford Marathon events (marathon, half marathon, relay, or 5k) and fundraise for Healing Meals Volunteer on race day Donate to a PTSMC runner

To learn more visit

ptsmc.com/fundraiser or email Emily Hansen at emily.hansen@ptsmc.com

PTSMC Happenings

- OUT IN THE COMMUNITY THIS MONTH -

Sunday, September 15th at 12:30 pm Windsor at Union Street Tavern Trot

Congratulations to Christine Raffone, PSA New Haven, and her boyfriend Dave for winning the corn hole tournament at PTSMC’s Family Picnic!

Westbrook celebrated Erik Schmitt’s completion of the Residency Program.

Thursday, September 19th at 11 am Colleen Menard presenting “Is Your Back Out of Whack?” at the Sherman Senior Center

Newington threw PT Stephen Strong a party to Sunday, September 29th at 10 am celebrate his last day as he Naugatuck, New Milford, Southbury, Waterbury, moves full time to Groton. Watertown at Pies & Pints Ta Ta Trot 5k

Sunday September 29th at 10 am New London at Waterford Football 5k Fundraiser

Wallingford staff and patients celebrated PTSMC Day by wearing PTSMC swag.

Groton and New London stretched runners out at the Ocean Beach Half.

Branford and New Haven met up for happy hour at Stony Creek Brewery.

Middletown celebrated Beach Day.

Plainville said goodbye to student Devon and thanked him for his hard work.

Thanks to everyone who donated food at our PTSMC Family Picnic Food Drive!

Admin brought the items to the West Hartford Food Pantry.

SoCIAl Media Sensation Jonna Tomasello, Westbrook PSA, and Emma Belval, Westbrook PSC!

Jonna and Emma always send us photos of what’s happening in the Westbrook clinic!

This month’s patient success story comes from a student athlete, who was referred to PTSMC Westbrook by Athletic Trainer Caty Halpin.