[U.S. HealthWorks] – Santa Clarita-based U.S. HealthWorks, one of the largest operators of occupational healthcare centers in the nation, announced today the appointment of John C. Duncan as vice president of Government Affairs.

Mr. Duncan, who previously served as Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations twice and the Chairman of the California Public Employment Relations Board, will join U.S. HealthWorks on Sept. 17.

“As we grow our organization, it is imperative that we foster strong partnerships with state and federal government agencies involved in workers’ compensation issues,” said Daniel D. Crowley, CEO of U.S. HealthWorks. “John has depth of experience in government and employee-related issues and will be a great asset to our organization.”

Mr. Duncan has a 30-year career of service at the state and federal level, as well as in the private sector. Significantly, from 2007 to 2011, he served as Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations, where he oversaw 16 divisions, boards, and commissions including the Labor Commissioner’s Office, Cal/OSHA and the Division of Worker’s Compensation. In addition to serving as Chairman of the California Public Employment Relations Board, he worked in a variety of positions at the Department of industrial Relations. Earlier in his career, he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, including serving as Assistant to the Secretary.

“U.S. HealthWorks is a dynamic organization that is poised for significant growth in the years ahead,” Mr. Duncan said. “It is vitally important that we properly interact and communicate with government agencies to ensure that injured workers are able to get high quality care they need and return to work.”

Mr. Duncan earned a Master’s of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley.

 
U.S. HealthWorks, one of the largest operators of occupational healthcare centers in the nation, announced today the appointment of Dr. Bernyce Peplowski as vice president of the U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group in California and chief medical officer of California-based clinical operations, effective September 24, 2012.

Dr. Peplowski, currently Medical Director for the California State Compensation Insurance Fund, will report to CEO Daniel D. Crowley.

“We are very excited to have Dr. Peplowski join our team,” Mr. Crowley said. “She brings a record of excellence and has been in the medical vanguard of America, leading an advocacy for high quality, patient-centered care with superior outcomes. She is widely published, a popular speaker, and recognized as a doctor’s doctor. We’re delighted to have Dr. Peplowski on our team.”

Prior to joining State Fund, Dr. Peplowski was the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President for Zenith Insurance Company. She worked for the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group from 1994 to 2006, including seven years as regional chief and physician director for occupational medicine and disability management.

“U.S. HealthWorks is known as the gold standard in providing high quality care and helping injured workers get back on the job,” Dr. Peplowski said. “While it is easy to get distracted by so much that is changing in healthcare today, this organization has remained focused on helping workers get back to work.”

Dr. Peplowski, whose career in occupational medicine spans nearly three decades, received her bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University, a master’s degree in environmental and occupation health from California State University at Northridge, and a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

About U.S. HealthWorks

U.S. HealthWorks, a subsidiary of Dignity Health, is one of the country’s largest operators of occupational health care centers. With 172 clinics and worksites in 15 states and more than 2,700 employees – including approximately 800 medical providers – U.S. HealthWorks centers serve more than 12,000 patients each day throughout the country. U.S. HealthWorks centers help employers control work-related injury costs through quality medical care and effective management of claims and lost work time, specializing in early return-to-work programs, injury prevention and wellness programs. Visit us at www.ushealthworks.com . U.S. HealthWorks is also on Facebook and Twitter.