Waltham, MA, January 22, 2025 — The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is excited to announce that University of North Carolina (UNC) Professor Mark Holmes, PhD, will deliver the day-two keynote address at the 2025 WCRI Issues and Research Conference, to be held March 6–7 in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Holmes will present a compelling discussion titled “Threats to Healthcare Access in Rural America.”

“We are honored to have Dr. Holmes as our day-two keynote speaker,” said Ramona Tanabe, president and CEO of WCRI. “His deep expertise in rural health policy will shed light on the critical challenges of healthcare access in rural areas and their implications for workers’ compensation stakeholders.”

Dr. Holmes is a professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Gillings School of Global Public Health. He is also the director of the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC, where he leads the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center and co-directs the Program on Health Care Economics and Finance.

In his keynote, Prof. Holmes will discuss the unique healthcare challenges in rural areas and their impact on workers' compensation. He will highlight disparities in healthcare access, such as provider shortages and hospital closures, which lead to higher preventable admissions and trauma-related deaths. The focus will also cover barriers like limited telehealth and market forces, including mergers and private equity, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies to ensure timely, quality care for injured rural workers.

The WCRI Issues & Research Conference is a leading public policy forum for workers' compensation professionals. This two-day program highlights the Institute’s latest research findings, drawing upon the diverse perspectives of respected experts and policymakers from across the country. It also provides ample opportunities to network with a high-level group of senior stakeholders. Early registrants can save $100 by signing up before February 6. Click here to learn more about the conference agenda or to register.

About WCRI:

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, non-profit research organization based in Waltham, MA. Established in 1983, WCRI remains neutral on the issues it investigates, providing objective information from studies and data collection efforts that adhere to recognized scientific methods. Rigorous, impartial peer review procedures further ensure objectivity. WCRI’s diverse membership includes employers, insurers, government entities, managed care organizations, healthcare providers, insurance regulators, state labor groups, and state administrative agencies across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

###

Return to EventsBlogPress Releases listing