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Media Advisory: Sept. 2, 2008
BWC Board Presented with Agency Goals; Hiring of Medical Director Announced
COLUMBUS –Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Administrator Marsha Ryan today presented the agency’s
fiscal year 2009 strategic goals to the BWC Board of Directors. She also announced the hiring of
Robert J. Balchick, M.D., M.B.A., a bioscience, technology and healthcare expert, as the bureau’s medical
director.
“Dr. Balchick’s extensive background in medicine and business are an extraordinary combination,” said
Administrator Ryan. “His medical expertise and strong business acumen will be an asset to improving the
medical services provided by BWC as we assist injured workers in achieving a timely and safe return to work.”
As medical director, Dr. Balchick will provide direction in the development of medical policy and provide
oversight for all medical components related to workers' compensation claims. With more than 21 years
clinical experience, Dr. Balchick most recently consulted on a variety of technology and medical-related
ventures, helping clients determine the ability of products and services to succeed in the marketplace.
He is founder of Mid Ohio Urology, Inc., where he practiced medicine from 1989 to 2005. Dr. Balchick
holds an undergraduate degree from Ohio University, a medical degree from The Ohio State University
College of Medicine and recently earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State
University’s Fisher College of Business.
Dr. Balchick will begin his duties on Sept. 2.
BWC management joined Administrator Ryan in presenting to the board BWC’s primary strategic goals and
performance metrics for fiscal year 2009. The presentation demonstrated how the goals relate to BWC’s
priorities of customer service, communications, internal controls, income management and cost control.
Goals include: stabilizing costs; providing injured workers with prompt, cost effective and efficient
medical care; establishing administrative processes and procedures that reflect the agency’s commitment
to high quality customer service; increasing equity between employers; and improving financial soundness
and stability.
Ryan added, “Achieving our goals will have an overarching impact on BWC’s operations, customers and
stakeholders. By establishing performance metrics and identifying trends, we can target areas for improvement
and build upon our successes.”
During the board’s Thursday education session, representatives of Deloitte Consulting LLP delivered a
presentation highlighting findings from the second portion of the comprehensive study of Ohio’s workers’
compensation system. The study, mandated in House Bill 100, focused on reserves, benefits, net assets,
reinsurance and the administrative cost factor. Consultants are expected to present to the board again
in October. The study is slated for completion in December.
Also Thursday, new director Thomas Pitts, and reappointed directors James Hummel and Larry Price were
sworn in for three-year terms. Pitts represents injured employees and will serve on the board’s actuarial
and governance committees. Hummel represents large employers and Price represents the public.
# # #
Maria Smith
614-728-8045 or 614-205-5709
mariasmith@bwc.state.oh.us
Melissa Vince
614-466-2956 or 614-202-2329
melissa.vince@bwc.state.oh.us
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors
Chairman William Lhota, SI Employers | Charles Bryan, Actuary | David Caldwell, Employee
Organizations | Alison Falls, Investment & Securities | Thomas Pitts, Employees | Kenneth
Haffey, CPA | James Harris, Employee Organizations | James Hummel, Large Employers | Jim
Matesich, Small Employers | Larry Price, Public | Robert Smith, Investment & Securities
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