CSOEMA Connection (July 2023)

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President’s Insights
Around the States
OEM Images of the Month
OEM Clinical Practice Highlights
Article: Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers in the Midwest
RECAP: 2023 CSOEMA Spring Seminar
2023 CSOEMA Fall Seminar
Member Spotlight: New ACOEM Fellows
Upcoming Events
Future Conferences Member Survey
In Memoriam: Emily Bannister, MD, MPH, CPH
Resident’s Corner
T-Shirts & Other SWAG
Seeking Volunteers
Support the CSOEMA Foundation
Job Postings

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Around the States

National

• Record-Breaking Temperatures, Extreme Weather, & Heat
  • PBS Newshour (July 22, 2023): Earth sees hottest July ever recorded in human history. Scientists say the first two weeks of July were the planet’s hottest on human record as intense heat waves grip places around the globe.
    
  • PBS Newshour (July 6, 2023): Record-breaking global temperature, raging wildfires highlight effects of climate change. The average global temperature on Wednesday hit 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit, matching the record-high set just on Tuesday. The grim milestones are the latest in a series of climate change-driven extremes.
    
  • NY Times (July 18, 2023): Phoenix Breaks Heat Record Set in 1974. As much of the South bakes, Phoenix blazed past a milestone set half a century ago: it was the first time the city had measured 19 days in a row of 110-degree or more temperatures, busting a record set in 1974.
    
  • NPR (July 17, 2023): Flash floods kill at least five people in Pennsylvania. Authorities in Pennsylvania continue to search for two missing children after heavy rainfall Saturday evening led to destructive flash floods that killed at least five people, including the children’s mother. A band of strong to severe thunderstorms swept across the Northeast, affecting millions of people from Maryland to Maine.
    
  • NBC News (July 25, 2023): South Florida ocean temperature tops 101 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially a record. A division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded an ocean temperature on a buoy at Manatee Bay, Florida, of over 101 degrees on Monday. It’s one of the hottest ocean temperatures ever noted, but it’s unclear whether it will be considered a record because the measurement came in a murky part of the ocean. Record high temperatures in the region threaten the coral reef.

• Extreme Heat and Human Health
  
  • NY Times (July 8, 2023): Rising Temperatures Threaten More Than Misery for Oldest Americans. A wave of extreme heat has posed particular perils for older people, who are uniquely susceptible to such conditions.
  • Newsweek (July 8, 2023): Extreme Heat Is Killing More Americans Than Ever. There were over 1,700 deaths in 2022 from heat-related causes—a new record. Even this is likely to be a huge underestimate, studies suggest. CDC publishes the Heat & Health Tracker to provide local heat and health information so communities can better prepare for and respond to extreme heat events.
  • CNN (July 10, 2023): Nearly 62,000 people died from record-breaking heat in Europe last summer. It’s a lesson for the US, too.  The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, found that 61,672 died in Europe from heat-related illness between May 30 and September 4 last year. Italy was the hardest-hit country (~18,000 deaths), followed by Spain (>11,000) and Germany (~8,000). The extreme heat disproportionately harmed the elderly and women.
  • KKF Health News (July 17, 2023): ERs Treat More Heatstroke Cases As Temperatures Hit Record Highs. The dangerous heat leads to bad sunburns, organ failure, and other heat-related illnesses. Meanwhile, poor air quality from wildfire smoke invades other parts of the nation. Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations.
    
  • Scientific American (July 6, 2023): Why Extreme Heat Is So Deadly. Summer heat is increasingly breaking records as the climate warms. As we describe in our roundup, heat can be deadly. Make sure you take extra precautions to stay cool
    
  • NY Times (June 29, 2023):Dangerous Heat and Heavy Wildfire Smoke March Across North America. The twin threats have sickened people across the continent with little relief in sight.
    
• The Climate Crisis and Worker Health
  
  • KFF (June 26, 2023): Climate-Related Health Risks Among Workers: Who is at Increased Risk?This analysis identifies occupations that are at increased risk of climate-related health impacts, examines the characteristics of workers in these jobs, and discusses the implications of these findings.
  • NPR (June 19, 2023): As the climate crisis encroaches on workers’ lives. How is OSHA responding?  NPR’s A Martinez talks to Doug Parker, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, about climate-related hazards — such as workers facing smoke-filled air from wildfires.
    
  • NPR (July 10, 2023): It’s Hot. For farmworkers without federal heat protections, it could be life or death. There are limited protections against heat for outdoor workers. As some states take matters into their own hands, workers are still dying in others
    
  • Safety & Health (June 25, 2023): What’s being done to protect workers from heat illness?A look at federal and state efforts

• Canadian Wildfire Smoke and Health
  
  • American Red Cross (July 12, 2023): Canadian Wildfire Smoke Back Again ─ What You Should Do. As more than 900 wildfires continue to burn in Canada, smoke from the fires is again floating down to the U.S., triggering air quality alerts in the Midwest, the Great Lakes, the Northeast, and as far south as Tennessee and North Carolina. As the smoke again descends here, people are reminded that an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 300 is considered hazardous. You can check your air quality conditions at airnow.gov.
    
  • NPR (June 8, 2023) How to stay safe from the smoke that’s spreading from the Canadian wildfires.  Here’s a breakdown of some of the more technical wildfire-related terms you might hear and what experts say are some of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.
  • Washington Post (June 12, 2023): Opinion: The wildfire smoke may be gone. But the health threat remains. With wildfires happening more frequently and in unexpected areas because of climate change, Americans will increasingly need to consider the consequences of air pollutants on their health.
    
• WSJ (May 18, 2023): American Workers Testing Positive for Marijuana Reaches 25-Year Record. Drug testing reveals a surge in employee marijuana use as more states legalize.
  
• WSJ (July 6, 2023): Cannabis Is Linked to Mental Illness. A major new study shows that people who abuse the drug are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. Using the medical records of some 6.5 million Danish people to look at patterns of diagnosis, hospitalization, and treatment for substance use between 1995 and 2021, the study was published in JAMA and is linked here.
  
• CBS News (July 24, 2023): UPS workers poised for biggest U.S. strike in 60 years. Members of the Teamsters union, representing about 340,000 workers, voted overwhelmingly on June 16th to strike if no agreement is reached with UPS by the time the current contract expires on July 31. The major outstanding issue is pay, particularly for part-time UPS workers, who make up 60% of the company’s workforce. Update: NBC News (July 25, 2023): UPS, Teamsters reach labor deal to avoid strike. The labor agreement is still subject to a ratification vote by members. The preliminary deal includes wage increases for both full- and part-time workers.

• KFF (May 8, 2023) After the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends on May 11, Some Consumers Could Face High Prices for COVID-19 Testing. After the public health emergency, private health plans will no longer be required to cover the full cost of COVID-19 tests ordered or administered by a clinician or to reimburse consumers for at-home rapid tests.For the current state of the COVID-19 epidemic, see the KFF Global COVID-19 Tracker
  
• JAMA (July 3, 2023) Michaels D, Wagner GR, Ryan L. Lessons From COVID-19 for Protecting Workers in the Next Pandemic. JAMA. 2023;330(1):23–24. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.8229
  
• KFF (May 23, 2023) Recent Widening of Racial Disparities in U.S. Life Expectancy Was Largely Driven by COVID-19 Mortality. During the pandemic, the U.S. population experienced the most significant two-year decline in life expectancy in roughly a century, showing that COVID-19 deaths disproportionately impacted people of color and exacerbating longstanding racial disparities in life expectancy.
  
• KFF (May 17, 2023) Mpox One Year Later: Where is the U.S. today?  This brief provides an overview of the impact of Mpox in the U.S. one year later, the federal response to date, and discusses the future outlook. The 2022 Mpox Outbreak (as of May 10, 2023) Global Cases: 87,314; US Cases: 30,395; US Deaths: 42
  
• CNN (July 6, 2023):Nearly half of the tap water in the US is contaminated with ‘forever chemicals,’ government study finds. The number of people drinking contaminated water may be even higher than what the study found. At least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS chemicals, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey. There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, not all of which can be detected with current tests; the USGS study tested for the presence of 32 types.
  
• Bloomberg (July 10, 2023) PFAS Blood Test Costs a Barrier for Many Who Fear High Exposure. Blood tests measuring PFAS can help doctors manage risks for patients who have been significantly exposed to the chemicals—but the tests cost up to $600, and insurance generally doesn’t cover them.
  
• NC Health News (January 25, 2023) Firefighters worry about chemicals in their gear, but alternatives could present problems too. A researcher urges caution as the fire service looks to reduce cancer risk from PFAS.
  
• Occupational Safety and Health (April 20, 2023):NIOSH’s National Firefighter Registry Established to Learn More About Firefighting and Cancer, Increase Health of These First Responders. The new registry—announced in mid-April—marks the “largest effort undertaken by the nation to support and advance understanding of cancer in the fire service.”  The link to the CDC NIOSH Firefighter and Cancer Registry is here.
  
• NY Times (June 22, 2023): NTSB Convenes Hearing in East Palestine to Examine Train Derailment, Investigators released a trove of documents about the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in Ohio, the subject of a two-day hearing that began Thursday. U.S. EPA issued an update report on the status of environmental remediation efforts on July 7, 2023.
  
• CNN (May 4, 2023): Dangerous chemical leaks have injured workers at one of America’s largest meat processors. Tyson plants have experienced at least 47 ammonia leaks between 2012 and 2021, leading to almost 150 worker injuries, according to CNN’s analysis of previously unreported Environmental Protection Agency data covering facilities that store large amounts of hazardous chemicals.
  
• NY Times (March 16, 2023):  Public Health vs. Economic Growth: Toxic Chemical Rules Pose Test for Biden. Key industries — including some that the White House is backing through other policies — are lobbying to water down the first major new rules in a generation on chemicals that pose risks to humans.
  
• Medical Express (May 30, 2023): Health experts say the aviation industry must act on cabin fumes as they launch new medical guidance.  A group of world-leading health and scientific experts are calling on the aviation industry to take action to protect passengers and aircrew from dangerous cabin fumes, which they say have led to a new emerging disease. Link to the article can be found here.
  
• Occupational Safety & Health (July 7, 2023): New Proposed Rule Focuses on Miner Exposure to Silica Dust. The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) proposed rule suggests a decreased Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica.

• CIDRAP (June 27, 2023): CDC issues malaria advisory as Florida posts statewide alert. The CDC HAN alert is here.
  
• Medical News Today (April 26, 2023):Hypertension: How workplace discrimination can raise the risk of high blood pressure. A new study indicates that people who feel they are discriminated against at work have a significantly higher risk of developing high blood pressure, and is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. 

• NPR (June 9, 2023): 2022 was the worst year on record for attacks on healthcare workers. In conflict zones worldwide, violence and threats against hospitals, healthcare facilities, and their personnel reached a grim milestone in 2022, according to a new report from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC). It documented 1,989 incidents last year — a 45% increase over 2021 and the worst total number since the group began tracking the data a decade ago.
  
• Medpage Today (May 30, 2023): Opinion: We Shouldn’t Carry the Full Weight of Responsibility for Our Own Workplace Safety — The government must do more to prevent violence against healthcare workers

• NPR (May 10, 2023): How frontline health workers continue to navigate the pandemic. From hospital staffing to patient wait times, frontline workers at an emergency department in Glen Burnie, Md., share how they continue to navigate the changes and challenges brought by the pandemic.

• Occupational Health & Safety (March 1, 2023): Occupational Health Hazards in the Welding Industry. Welders might be at risk for certain health hazards. Luckily, there are ways to mitigate them.

• WBUR (June 26, 2023): More unionized rail workers are winning paid sick leave. So far this year, roughly 60% of unionized rail workers have won paid sick leave. Last year, a congressionally-imposed contract agreement left out paid sick leave.

• WBUR (June 26, 2023): What pregnant workers should know about their rights ahead of new federal law. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act helps close loopholes to ensure pregnant people can have reasonable accommodations met at work.

• NPR (May 26, 2023) Gen Z workers are exhausted — and seeking solutions.  Generation Z is apparently experiencing an early life crisis. In a 2023 Deloitte survey, nearly half of Gen Zs and four in 10 millennials said they feel stressed all or most of the time.

Illinois

• NBC News Chicago (June 28, 2023):Chicago’s air quality ranks among the worst in the world because of Canada’s wildfires. Residents in Chicago and other cities in the Midwest are being warned to stay inside because of the drifting smoke. Breathing Chicago’s air like ‘smoking half-a-pack of cigarettes,’ expert says.
  
• Health News (January 25, 2023): Illinois Bans Latex Gloves for Food Service Workers. The law took effect on January 1st for restaurants and food service providers. The ban will affect healthcare workers starting January 1, 2024.
  
• UIC Today (September 1, 2022): Limited research has been done on the occupational hazards faced by Indigenous peoples.  UIC researchers found higher rates of workplace injury or illness for Indigenous people compared with non-Indigenous people, with the greatest differences observed in farming injuries, workplace violence, work injuries requiring hospitalization, and fatal injuries. The study was published in BMJ Occupational Health and Medicine.
  
• The Center Square (July 1, 2023): Trench collapse a top safety concern for Illinois.
  
• Trench collapse is one of the top causes of death in the construction industry.

Iowa

• NPR (May 25, 2023): Industries facing worker shortages push to roll back child labor protections. A hotly debated bill in Iowa would roll back some child labor protections, including the number of hours minors could work during a day.
  
• Des Moines Register (March 5, 2023); Opinion: Protect Iowa’s children from harm at the workplace. While hazardous work employers may welcome this expansion of Iowa’s labor pool, they should not.

• In These Times (May 2023): Part 1: Can Iowa Meatpacking Workers Take on Tyson? Part 2: Brightly Colored Bandages and Bags of Ice: Meatpacking Workers Say Tyson Foods Makes Them Fight to See the Doctor. This two-part investigative series covers the experience of workers in the meat-packing industry.

• Workers Compensation Symposium (July 7, 2023): High Society: Cannabis in the Workplace. The 61st Annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium in Iowa delved into the evolving landscape of cannabis in the workplace. Dr. Chris Iverson from the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics discussed the changing landscape of cannabis, its various strains, drug testing methods, and the complexities surrounding impairment.
   
• University of Iowa College of Public Health (February 10, 2023) New training grant to focus on the impacts of climate change on lung health.  

Minnesota

• KXAN (June 14, 2023):Canadian wildfire smoke gives Minnesota city the worst air in the US.  St. Paul had the worst air quality in the United States in June as smoke from massive Canadian wildfires drifted across Minnesota a week after similar smoke blanketed the northeastern U.S.
  
• Post Bulletin (June 27, 2023)  Southeast Minnesota faces its eighth air quality alert this year. Smoke from Canadian wildfires can aggravate health conditions such as asthma and COPD.
  
• CBS News Minnesota (July 7, 2023) How Minnesota’s new marijuana policy will impact the workplace. In less than four weeks, recreational marijuana will be legal to possess and grow in your home.

Missouri

• Springfield Business Journal (January 16, 2023): Opinion: What employers need to know about marijuana  Article XIV, Section 1, was added to the Missouri Constitution when Amendment 2 passed in 2018, allowing the use of medical marijuana for qualified patients with physician consent. The passage of Amendment 3 on Nov. 8, 2022, effective Dec. 8, 2022, modified Section 1 and added Section 2, enabling someone 21 years of age and older to legally procure and use various forms of legal marijuana

Nebraska

• Lincoln Journal Star (February 14, 2023): Nebraska bill would allow workers’ comp to cover mental injuries. Under the bill (LB5), a section of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act would be amended to cover people who have been diagnosed by a mental health professional with post-traumatic stress disorder — even if they weren’t physically injured — stemming from a workplace violence incident. Visit the most recent legislative update here.

North Dakota

• Valley News Live (April 27, 2023): “The law applies to where you are at, not where you’re from”: Marijuana laws across state lines. Recreational marijuana could be legal in Minnesota. The state senate plans to vote on the bill tomorrow. It already passed the house earlier this week. With Gov. Walz’s signature, Minnesota would be the 21st state to legalize recreational marijuana, but North Dakota is not one of them.

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Public Radio (June 27, 2023):  Wisconsin is under another air quality advisory from Canadian wildfire smoke. The air quality across portions of Wisconsin has been labeled “very unhealthy” and “hazardous” and is among the worst in the nation due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
• Spectrum News (June 28, 2023): Wisconsin DHS, DNR encourage precautions for poor air quality. Canadian wildfire smoke has drifted into Wisconsin’s atmosphere, causing unhealthy air quality across the state. WDHS Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Director Mark Werner urged Wisconsinites to take precautions because the smoke can harm everyone’s health.

• Wisconsin Public Radio (May 9, 2023) and Appleton Post-Crescent (May 3, 2023): Wisconsin workplace deaths are down from 2018, but more work needs to be done. Wisconsin sees fewer workplace fatalities generally, but there’s a higher risk in agriculture, forestry industries nationally. The number of people who have died at work in Wisconsin has declined in recent years, a new report shows. Former OSHA official: Regulatory process ‘values birds and fish much more than it values human lives.
• Occupational Safety & Health (April 14, 2023):A Continuing Trend: OSHA Finds ‘Unsafe Conditions’ at Wisconsin, Texas Dollar General Stores. OSHA proposed a combined total of over $550,000 in penalties after inspecting two stores last year.

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OEM Images of the Month

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OEM Clinical Practice Highlights

• ACOEM / AANP (January 25, 2023): Occupational and Environmental Medicine Fundamentals for Advanced Practice. Consisting of seven modules, each dealing with a different aspect of occupational health practice, the program is supported by AANP and ACOEM. NPs and other advanced practice providers may earn 30 CE credit hours by completing all seven modules. Each module includes four to six one-hour presentations and support material on essential OEM topics. Upon completing all seven modules and the full 30 hours of CE credit, participants will be eligible to receive an AANP Certificate of Advanced Practice Education in Occupational Health. The certificate of academic achievement demonstrates to employers, workers and peers their commitment as a clinician in the OEM field.

• Mayo Clinic (May 25, 2023):Office Ergonomics: Your How-to Guide.  Understanding office ergonomics and arranging your workspace accordingly can help you feel good throughout the workday.
  
• Occupational Health & Safety (July 5, 2023):Five Solutions to Mitigate Risks Associated with Prolonged Standing. Workers who stand can face many health issues, but options like seats, floor mats, and footrests may help make a difference.

• Safety & Health (May 25, 2023):OSHA and NIOSH update handbook for small businesses. Self-inspection checklists for ergonomics, young workers, workplace violence, and infection control have been added

• Burdon, J., Budnik, L.T., Baur, X. et al. Health consequences of exposure to aircraft contaminated air and fume events: a narrative review and medical protocol for the investigation of exposed aircrew and passengers. Environ Health 22, 43 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-023-00987-8
  
• National Safety Council (June 2023): Impairment Affects Safety On and Off the Job. Employers who address impairment directly support worker well-being – and save money. Free resources are presented on the website for identifying impairment on the job. Also, the e-learning course is available on Impairment Recognition and Response Training for Supervisors

• Great Plains Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Iowa College of Public Health (Ongoing updates): Ag Safety and Health. An array of continuing education options, from our annual Agricultural Safety and Health: The Core Course to for-credit online modules, graduate school opportunities, and more, is offered.
  
• MDGuidelines: Did you know?… Your ACOEM Membership now includes access to MDGuidelines, the industry-leading online tool to quickly access evidence-based disability duration information, and the ACOEM Clinical Guidelines. The offer is only valid for U.S.-based ACOEM members with active membership. Sign up here.

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Article: Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in the Midwest

By Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH, COM and Kimberly Dukes, PhD, COM

Migrant, and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) are essential for the national and midwest farm economy. Their hard labor keeps our farms in operation and food on our tables. Heavy media coverage about the high risk of COVID-19 infections among farmworker communities made more people aware of how dependent we are on farmworkers across the country. Nonetheless, most of us know very little about these workers.

The National Center for Farmworker Health estimates there are 2.5-3 million agricultural workers in the United States. Within this group, 19% identify as migrant workers, while 81% are seasonal workers. In Iowa, the majority of these workers are members of Spanish-speaking communities from Mexico and Texas. This year, Iowa Workforce Development anticipates the arrival of approximately 5,000 H-2A visa guest workers during this agricultural season, nearly all of whom will be Spanish-speaking Latino/a/x workers. Many will travel several days on buses and vans to their employment destinations, then immediately begin long days of physical labor in the heat. ey may experience a multitude of occupational exposures and hazards, including dehydration, pesticide exposure, and musculoskeletal injuries. Many workers will be at higher risk for illness due to poorly treated or untreated medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

While in the Midwest, workers often live in crowded congregate housing that includes shared bathrooms and communal meal settings. Transportation to and from the fields is often provided with large, poorly ventilated buses. Crowding contributes to an increased risk of transmissible disease.

Resources for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

Proteus is a Human Resources and Services Administration-funded, primarily mobile, federally qualified community health center that has developed long-standing trusted relationships with farmworkers and farm employers across the state. For over 40 years, Proteus has provided bilingual primary care to migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Iowa.

In addition to providing affordable health care, the Proteus model is centered on support related to multiple social determinants of health. This includes job training, safety training, education development, and food assistance over a larger tri-state region that includes Iowa, Nebraska, and Indiana.

While addressing the day-to-day needs of a critical sector of the Iowa agricultural workforce, Proteus has been a valued partner on several University of Iowa College of Public Health and Carver College of Medicine MSFW research and intervention-based projects.

• Engaging Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in Health Research about COVID-19 and Vaccination: Using a university-developed texting application to gather health access and mental health information from MSFW.
• Vaccination Attitudes among Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers: A survey regarding vaccine attitudes and interest in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines.
• Covid-19 Experiences and Vaccination Attitudes among Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers: A qualitative study to explore individual experiences with COVID-19 and the impact on workers’ ability to work and accessibility of healthcare.
• Heat-related illness in midwestern Hispanic farmworkers: A descriptive analysis of hydration status and reported symptoms: A UI College of Nursing collaboration in which Proteus assisted with participant recruitment and researchers referred workers for heat-related medical care.
• Collaboration with Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH): Sharing best practices for providing agricultural workers access to health promotion and safety training.

The University of Iowa and Proteus staff plan to continue working together on behalf of farmworkers in Iowa and adjoining states.  These community-engaged collaborations will continue to collect data, inform policy, and advocate for migrant and seasonal farmworkers who help sustain Iowa’s agricultural economy.

This article was originally published in the Heartland Center for Occupational Health & Safety Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2022

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RECAP: 2023 CSOEMA SPRING SEMINAR

CSOEMA held a successful gathering earlier this year at the 99th Annual 2023 CSOEMA Spring Seminar in Lisle, IL, March 9-11, 2023. The Spring Seminar, held as a hybrid (in-person & online) event, kicked off with a day-long Thursday seminar on Climate Change, where we heard powerful presentations on the science and response to the ongoing climate crisis. We also heard stories of advocacy and hope that inspired us to take action in our communities. The Spring Seminar continued on Friday and Saturday with state-of-the-art presentations on occupational and environmental medicine. The Spring Seminar was an outstanding OEM event, and we look forward to the Fall conference in September and next year’s Spring event in 2024.

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2023 CSOEMA FALL SEMINAR

Registration for the 2023 CSOEMA Fall Seminar is now open. The Fall Seminar will be held September 22-23, 2023, in Minneapolis, MN, at the Rand Tower Hotel. Attend the event for professional enrichment, continuing medical education credits, and fellowship. An Environmental Justice Tour is scheduled for Saturday, 9/23/23, immediately after the last CSOEMA talk. We encourage you to sign up for this unique experience! You can also register guests who may be coming to the conference with you and are interested in going on the tour.  Visit the CSOEMA website to register for this event. Get the special group rate on your hotel reservation by using the group code when making your lodging reservation.

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Member Spotlight

We are pleased to announce the following CSOEMA members became ACOEM Fellows at AOHC 2023 in Philadelphia, PA:

• Benjamin Blagogee, MD, MPH, PhD, FACOEM    Madison, WI               
• Camilla Frederick, MD, MPH, FACOEM                 Davenport, IA
• Frederick A. Hauser, DO, MPH, FACOEM             Merritt Island, FL
• Onyekachi S. Onyeabor, MD, MPH, FACOEM       La Crosse, WI

Congratulations!  Demonstrate your dedication and leadership in occupational medicine by becoming a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (FACOEM). The FACOEM designation is ACOEM’s highest acknowledgment that recognizes years of dedication to exceptional education, leadership, and commitment to the specialty.  Applications for the Class of 2024 are now being accepted! Completed applications and all required documents must be submitted to [email protected] by November 1, 2023. For more information about ACOEM Fellowship, click here.

Zeke Mckinney, MD, MHI, MPH, wrote the article, Health Care Utilization: Finding the right balance, published in the May 2023 edition of Minnesota Physician. Zeke McKinney, MD, MHI, MPH, is the program director of the HealthPartners occupational and environmental medicine residency and an affiliate assistant professor with the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in the division of environmental health sciences.

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Upcoming Events

CSOEMA 2023 Fall Seminar (Register here)	Minneapolis, MN Hyatt Centric DownTown	September 22-23, 2023
Medical Review Officer Fast Track Course (13.75 CME)	ACOEM OEM Learning Center	October 28-29, 2023
CSOEMA 2024 Spring Seminar	Lisle, IL	March 7-9, 2024
AOHC 2024	Orlando, Florida	May 19-22, 2024

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In Memoriam: Emily Bannister, MD, MPH, CPH

On March 14, 2023, our friend, fellow CSOEMA Board of Governor, and Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Medical Consultant, Dr. Emily Bannister passed away after a swift and courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Bannister was a brilliant Occupational Medicine physician, a passionate advocate for workers’ mental and physical health, and our very good friend. Emily leaves behind her mother, Barbara, her husband, David, 7-year-old daughter Lucy, and 5-year-old twins, Abby and David Jr.

Emily’s occupational medicine family, alongside her husband and mother, held a memorial gathering on April 24, 2023, at the private clinic Emily and her husband began shortly before her diagnosis. Those who were unable to attend are invited to send cards or donations to the address below for the Workers Clinic to support Emily’s family. Please contact Dr. Liz Medina Alm for more information at 612-590-2001 or [email protected]

Read her full obituary here.

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Residents Corner

Congratulations to the 2023 graduates of the Central States Region Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Programs in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Health Partners) and in Chicago (UIC).

• Nick Blonian, DO, MPH                    Health Partners OEM Residency
• Charles Childers, MD, DC, MPH     UIC OEM Residency
• Jaeyeong Heo, MD, MPH                 UIC OEM Residency
• Ashley Nadeau, MD, MPH                Health Partners OEM Residency

Please contact the respective residency program directors for more information, or visit the websites listed below.

Kim Hargis, MD, MPH Program Director, Occupational Medicine Residency Program University of Illinois at Chicago 835 S. Wolcott, MC 684 Chicago, Illinois 60612 Phone 312-355-3554 fax 312-413-8485 https://glcohs.uic.edu/residency/

Zeke J. McKinney, MD, MHI, MPH, FACOEM Program Director, HealthPartners Occupational Medicine Residency Program HealthPartners West End Clinic 1665 Utica Ave. S., Ste. 100 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 [email protected] Phone: 952-541-2607 | Fax: 952-541-2626 https://mnoccmedresidency.com/

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CSOEMA T-Shirts & Other SWAG

Order your CSOEMA T-shirts and other SWAG! (SWAG = Souvenirs, Wearables, and Gifts) Here’s your chance to own a wearable, functional, and collectible piece of CSOEMA SWAG!  The CSOEMA Store is open!  CSOEMA-branded items are available conveniently online to everyone. The CSOEMA Store offers clothing, drinkware, tote bags, and more. Items are available for purchase and shipping directly to your door. New designs and items will be added regularly.  Shop the online CSOEMA Store today! To access the online store, visit: https://www.bonfire.com/store/csoema/

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Seeking Volunteers

As our regional component professional organization, CSOEMA operates through the support of members who contribute their time and leadership to make the organization successful. We always seek members to serve as Conference Co-Chairs, Board of Governors, and other committee members. Your participation lends your voice to the organization and gives back to the field of Occupational Medicine. Interested?  Let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. 

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Support the CSOEMA Foundation

Don’t forget to support the CSOEMA Foundation by making a charitable donation. Donations made are tax-deductible and support the ongoing work of CSOEMA.
We wanted to inform members that the AmazonSmile program has ended as of February 20, 2023. Read all about the announcement by Amazon and the community reaction here. We are sad to see the program go, as it was a great way to support the Foundation at no extra cost to you through the purchases you made. We wish to sincerely thank everyone who designated the CSOEM Foundation as your charity of choice through AmazonSmile throughout the years.  We thank you for your continued support. 

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Job Postings

Northwestern Medicine – Occupational Medicine (Chicagoland)

Physician – Occupational Health. Northwestern Medicine is currently seeking Physicians board certified in Family Medicine, Occupational Medicine, or Emergency Medicine to join our existing Occupational Health clinics. This physician will oversee the patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of occupational illnesses and/or injuries. This physician will also perform the following tasks: Assess patient’s ability to perform essential functions of their jobs, prepare patients for return to work after illness or injury or may act as a consultant to identify workplace health hazards, examine patients to determine the appropriate course of treatment including and recommended tests and imaging.  Clinical duties include general clinical time, onsite physicals, telehealth evaluations, post-offer physicals, fitness for duty evaluation, and Independent Medical Examinations.

This position should have at least five (5) years of clinical practice in a primary care setting (e.g., family practice, occupational medicine, emergency medicine, etc.) and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in occupational medicine or an employee health clinic setting. Preferred qualifications include MRO and DOT certifications (MRO certification will be required within six months of hire). At least two years experience in public safety medicine, expertise in NFPA and LEO assessments, and Independent Medical Examinations. This position will rotate across our clinics in the Chicagoland area, including downtown, west region, and south region. Additional details and a link to the application site is here.

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Advocate Health – Occupational Medicine (Milwaukee)

Milwaukee Occupational Health has an excellent opportunity for an Occupational Medicine physician to join our collegial team.  Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215

• Full-time position that works five days a week at our Mitchell Street location
• Salary base plus compensation model with a collaboration agreement with our APCs
• Position includes 50/50 split between workers’ compensation injuries and occupational health
• Imaging, splinting, wound care, medication management, back injury care, back to work restrictions, pre-employment physicals, TB testing, DOT guidelines, FAA guidelines, lead exposure, asbestos, other hazardous materials. MRO services are outsourced.
• 80% of the work is scheduled, and 20% is walk-in
• Manageable workload with a great lifestyle. Monday – Friday schedule, no nights, weekends, or call. Most days finish by 5 pm (occasionally will need to stay late if a late patient presents)
• Strong employer base in the community with lots of history
• The occupational medicine team collaborates throughout the day using Teams. While there is only one occ med physician on-site, they collaborate periodically throughout the day.

About Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city: With a county-wide population of nearly a million, Milwaukee offers the best of everything you’d expect to find in a major city while retaining a hometown feel in its many diverse neighborhoods. Culturally, Milwaukee has many options, ranging from performing arts centers, theaters, and museums – including an internationally designed lakefront art museum – to one of the nation’s top 10 zoos. Sophisticated, scenic, affordable, and event-filled, Milwaukee has an impressive array of public and private schools, including UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University, award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping, and one of the most convenient and “user-friendly” international airports in the world.

About Advocate Health: Advocate Health is the 5th largest nonprofit healthcare system in the United States. We are a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience, and value-based care. Advocate Health has a combined footprint across six states – Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. In Illinois and Wisconsin, we serve nearly 3 million patients annually across over 500 care sites in 27 hospitals. We are a leading employer in the Midwest with a diverse team of over 77,000, including 3,700+ employed physicians and more than 2,000 Advanced Practice Clinicians in our clinician-led medical group.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion every single day and in everything we do. By cultivating an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion, we create a welcoming environment where our patients can heal, our teammates can thrive, and our business can grow. As a teammate, working in a diverse setting allows you the chance to grow in ways that will broaden your perspective to deliver the best possible patient care.

Contact: Jim Brown [email protected]

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Advocate Health – Occupational Medicine (Sheboygan)

Sheboygan Occupational Health has an excellent opportunity for an Occupational Medicine physician to join our collegial team. Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081

• Full-time position that works four days a week at our Sheboygan Main campus and one day a week at our Plymouth location
• Salary base plus compensation model with a collaboration agreement with our APC
• Position includes 50/50 split between workers compensation injuries and occupational health
• Imaging, splinting, wound care, medication management, back injury care, back to work restrictions, pre-employment physicals, TB testing, DOT guidelines, FAA guidelines, lead exposure, asbestos, other hazardous materials. MRO services are outsourced.
• 80% of the work is scheduled and 20% is walk-in
• Manageable workload with a great lifestyle. Monday – Friday schedule, no nights, weekends, or call.  Most days finish by 5 pm (occasionally will need to stay late if a late patient presents)
• Strong employer base in the community with lots of history
• The occupational medicine team collaborates throughout the day using Teams. While there is only one occ med physician on-site, they collaborate periodically throughout the day.

About Sheboygan, WI: The spirit on the lake: The city of Sheboygan is located between Lake Michigan and the northern unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest and offers abundant outdoor activities for you and your family. Sheboygan County has world-renowned golf courses, a legendary race track, beautiful marinas, and the state’s only AAA Five Diamond resort. The Sheboygan area provides residents with a family-centered Midwestern lifestyle with award-winning school systems, low crime rates, and an easy commute.

• Visit Sheboygan: http://visitsheboygan.com/
  • Someplace Better: http://www.someplacebetter.org/
  • Visit Sheboygan County: http://www.visitsheboygancounty.com/
  • Travel Wisconsin: http://www.travelwisconsin.com/

About Advocate Health: Advocate Health is the 5th largest nonprofit healthcare system in the United States. We are a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience, and value-based care. Advocate Health has a combined footprint across six states – Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. In Illinois and Wisconsin, we serve nearly 3 million patients annually across over 500 care sites in 27 hospitals. We are a leading employer in the Midwest with a diverse team of over 77,000, including 3,700+ employed physicians and more than 2,000 Advanced Practice Clinicians in our clinician-led medical group.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion every single day and in everything we do. By cultivating an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion, we create a welcoming environment where our patients can heal, our teammates can thrive, and our business can grow. As a teammate, working in a diverse setting allows you the chance to grow in ways that will broaden your perspective to deliver the best possible patient care.

Contact: Jim Brown: [email protected]

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CSOEMA Executive Committee
Laura Breeher, MD, MPH, MS, FACOEM, President
Francine Katz, DO, MPH, FACOEM, President-Elect
Isabel Pereira, DO, MPH, MSA, Vice President
Malgorzata B. Hasek, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACOEM, Secretary-Treasurer
William Wong, MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM, Immediate Past President​

CSOEMA Connection Editorial Staff
William Wong, MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM, Editor
Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Associate Editor
Anitha Nimmagadda, MD, MPH, Associate Editor

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