Contact Us About Early Return to Work

The Early Return to Work (ERTW) program

Together we can help injured workers avoid disability and economic hardship.

L&I's Early Return-to-Work team collaborates with the employer, health-care provider, and worker to explore possibilities for returning to work as early as it is medically appropriate.

Contact the closest L&I office to learn more about L&I's return-to-work services.

Field Return to Work Staff key:
Abbreviation Means

ONC

Occupational Nurse Consultant

OT

Occupational Therapist

TC

Therapy Consultant

VSS

Vocational Services Specialist


Region 1 Field Return to Work Staff
Name Units Phone

Rick Freitas, Regional Supervisor

Mt Vernon

(360) 416-3050

Marilyn McMahon, ONC

Everett

(425) 290-1331

Donna Gillon, VSS

Everett

(425) 190-1382

Barbara Kendrick, VSS

Mt Vernon

(360) 290-1434

Kate Wagner, VSS

Bellingham

(360) 647-7337

Summer Wyze, VSS

Mt. Vernon

(360) 416-3028

Michelle LaPointe, VSS

WorkSource Skagit Co.

(360) 416-3591


Region 2 Field Return to Work Staff
Name Units Phone

Peggy Halstead, Regional Supervisor

Seattle

(206) 515-2812

Chuck Shifren, ONC

Seattle

(206) 515-2812

Deirdre Staudt, ONC

Bellevue

(425) 990-1471

Kim Mayhew, ONC

Seattle

(206) 515-2782

Barbara Reed, OT

Bellevue

(425) 990-1402

Amy Valdez, VSS

Seattle

(206) 515-2833

Janis Flaherty, VSS

Bellevue

(425) 990-1409

Larry Laurence, VSS

Seattle

(206) 205-3520

Charlotte Hier, VSS

Seattle

(206)515-2819

Kelline Hermanson, VSS

WorkSource Renton

(206) 205-3520


Region 3 Field Return to Work Staff
Name Units Phone

Steve Hagoski, Supervisor

Tacoma

(253) 596-3874

Sharon Ballard, ONC

Tacoma

(253) 596-3880

William B. Fultz, VSS

Tacoma

(253) 596-3878

Christopher Yates, VSS

Tacoma

(253) 596-3880

John Janson, VSS

Bremerton

(253) 415-4005

Julie Jo, VSS

Tacoma

(253) 596-3875

Karen Vencill, VSS

WorkSource Pierce Co.

(253) 596-3926


Region 4 Field Return to Work Staff
Name Units Phone

Jeri Parrish, Supervisor

Tumwater

(360) 902-4837

Kristine Kelm, ONC

Tumwater

(360) 902-4976

Dana Wilcox, TC

Tumwater

(360) 902-6768

Kelly Cowger, VSS

Vancouver

(360) 876-2334


Region 5 Field Return to Work Staff
Name Units Phone

Jack Patton, Supervisor

Yakima

(509) 735-0154

Kathy Kangas, ONC

Yakima

(590) 576-4273

Cindy Lane, ONC

Yakima

(509) 454-3783

Norma A. Martinez, VSS

Yakima/East Wenatchee

(509) 454-3780

Michelle Bishop, VSS

WorkSource Kennewick

(509) 734-5297

Brooke Davis, VSS

Kennewick

(509)735-0906


Region 6 Field Return to Work Staff
Name Units Phone

Chris Daniewicz, Supervisor

Spokane

(509) 324-2559

Elizabeth Ottmar, ONC

Spokane

(590) 324-2559

Susan Morris, OT

Spokane

(509) 324-2628

Ellen Nagourney, VSS

WorkSource Spokane

(509) 532-3077

Candace Shroll, VSS

Spokane

(509 324-2593


Health-care providers: get paid for your phone calls and secure messages

L&I pays about $130 per hour for your communication with employers, claim managers, and other providers (including vocational rehabilitation consultants).

Details are available in L&I Billing and Payment Policies under "Telephone Calls" and "Online Communications and Consultations" (in Chapter 10: Evaluation and Management Services).

Call our Provider Hotline at 800-848-0811 if you have questions about billing L&I.

Additional L&I contact information for Health-care providers.

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