Ron Porter, Director, PT, CEAS III

Ronald W. Porter is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Occupational Safety and Health, and Ergonomics.

 

In the past 38 years, since becoming Director of the Back School, he has instructed over 1000 workshops and seminars on Ergonomics Awareness and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention to physical and occupational therapists; medical doctors; chiropractors; occupational health nurses; industrial health and safety professionals; employee health and human resource professionals; and insurance claims managers.

 

Ron has worked with over 350 companies, including Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; US Foods; Mars Incorporated; E.I. Du Pont; DS Services; Shell Oil; International Paper; WestRock; A-dec Dental; Patterson Dental: Arizona Public Service Company; Association of California Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Agency and the United States Navy; consulting on the development and implementation of innovative ergonomics programs for both individual plant sites and entire corporations.

 

He was chosen as the 2012 ASSE Ergonomics Practice Specialty Safety Professional of the Year, one of the 50 Most Influential People in Workers’ Compensation by the 2014 SEAK National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference and received a 2016 President’s Award presented   by the ASSE.

 

His recent presentations include:

The 2007 - 2017 and 2019 American Society of Safety Professionals Professional Development Conferences • The 2018 & 2019 Applied Ergonomics Conference • March 2018 Webinar for the American Association of Hand Therapists • The 2016 Region IV ASSE Professional Development Conference • The 1995 – 2005 and 2011 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Annual Conferences • The 2010 and 2018  National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition • SEAK Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conferences in 2005 – 2007 and 2013 •  March 2010 national webinar on the Aging Workforce for the ASSE Virtual Classroom.

 

His Bachelor of Science degree is from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and his Graduate Degree in Physical Therapy from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, American Society of Safety Professionals, the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

 

---

Matt Jeffs, PT, DPT, CEAS II

Lastly, I oversaw FCMA’s Professional Progress curriculum, a premier 8-month leadership training program I conducted to provide instruction, interaction and discussion skills necessary for leadership success in tomorrow’s advanced manufacturing workplace. As Principal Faculty at The Back School, I’m tasked with bringing together leadership personnel from all age groups and industries to cultivate common ground and expedite mutually beneficial, value-added projects.

Onsite Health & Safety Specialist

Both workplace safety factors and workforce health influences jointly contribute to many problems confronting today’s business and industry. Until recently, these two areas were often fragmented and isolated. Safety was handled in the EHS silo, while employee health remained in the HR silo. Prevailing science now supports combining these efforts through initiatives that integrate safety protection and health promotion. Inefficiencies are truncated while benefits compound.

In this sphere of influence, my company Ability On-Demand has been field-tested. Employee participants report positive experiences with better communication and mutual understanding with management. Employers report better workforce relations, improved performance in key indicators, and a shared sense of commitment in corporate culture.

The benefits of a committed willingness to listen to perspectives of front line staff, provide our corporate clientele valuable feedback and workable solutions to operational challenges. Working together to address feasible root cause measures yields compounding dividends. It’s a 21st century business model that's also a great business to be in.

Keynote Speaker & Onsite Therapy Services Consultant

As an onsite industrial Doctor of Physical Therapy with clients throughout the Southeastern US, I provide verifiable, sustainable ROI in direct and indirect healthcare savings to international firms and clinical providers.

This is accomplished through workforce education initiatives, ergonomic analyses, job demand analyses, defined job demand descriptions, legally-defensible job demand capacity evaluations, pre-work screenings, fit-for-work screenings, transitional rapid return-to-work strategies, early intervention onsite first-aid screenings, onsite physical therapy evaluation / treatment, and plant-wide communications in public speaking, audio and video formats.

Meta-Physical Therapy TaijiFit Instructor

As a safety management advisor for national and international firms, I also serve as a Tai Chi Fitness Instructor in multiple settings. From hospital-owned fitness centers to modern industrial workplaces, I apply what I named ‘Meta-Physical Therapy’ to students, faculty and professionals alike. Mind-Body Awareness creates a safer, healthier and more productive work environment in every setting. Applying myself to this important transition is my life’s work, and I hope offering insight on how to make the corporate mind and body work together - for the most people possible - is a goal worthy of us all.

Conclusion – Again, The ‘Why’

As a ‘medical multiculturalist’, I’ve had the pleasure to work closely with the most forward-thinking colleagues who happen to have the following initials after their names: MD; PA; NP; RN; LPN; DPT; LPTA; OTD; OTR, COTA; PhD; SPHR; CSP; DC and many, many more. Every one of these individuals has taught me something. As someone who crosses lines easily into worlds other than my own, I will continue to strive to leave a legacy of excellence through continuous improvement. The positive change I help create is something I’m confident will outlast me. That, is my simple mission.

---