Welcome to the CSOEMA Connection, a quarterly e-newsletter for members, associates, and friends of the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association.
Presidentâs Insights
Around the States
OEM Images of the Month
OEM Clinical Practice Highlights
OEM Research Rounds
100th Annual 2024 CSOEMA Spring Seminar
Interview with John Kuhnlein, DO, MPH, FACPM, FACOEM
Member Highlights
ACOEM Update
Upcoming Events
Future CSOEMA Seminars Survey
Milestones
Residentâs Corner
T-Shirts & Other SWAG
Seeking Volunteers
Support the CSOEMA Foundation
Job Listings
Presidents Insights
By Laura E. Breeher, MD, MPH, MS, FACOEM
Dear CSOEMA Members and Colleagues,
As the promise of spring fills the air, I am delighted to welcome each of you to the Spring Issue of the CSOEMA Connection. Thank you to Dr. Will Wong, editor and founder of the CSOEMA Connection Newsletter, and the CSOEMA editorial team of Drs. Anitha Nimmagadda and Claudia Corwin for their work on this resource for our members. This edition holds special significance as we prepare to celebrate the milestone of our 100th Annual Spring Seminar, a testament to a century of dedication, innovation, and excellence in occupational and environmental medicine.
As we commemorate this significant milestone, Iâm reminded of the rich legacy of the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association and the profound impact of Occupational Medicine on society. I recently had the pleasure of talking with Dr. John Kuhnlein as he is preparing his presentation for the Spring CSOEMA conference. I loved hearing about the gems he has uncovered in his research about historic leaders in OEM. To get a flavor of some of the things Dr. Kuhnlein has discovered, read his interview in this newsletter. I canât wait to hear the full presentation at the upcoming conference.
In this edition of the CSOEMA Connection, you will find captivating articles, insights, and updates that reflect the depth and breadth of expertise within our community. From a review of toxic chemicals resulting from the East Palestine, OH train derailment to the health impacts of climate change, the articles reflect the broad span of knowledge we possess in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Donât miss the figure on billion-dollar weather and climate disasters! Our journey over the past century is marked by countless achievements, groundbreaking research, and unwavering commitment to the health and safety of workers and communities. The collection of articles contained here helps keep our members up-to-date on current health risks to workers.
The In Memoriam section includes several of our Occupational Medicine colleagues and leaders who passed away in the last several years. Please take time to read about their legacies. I never had the opportunity to meet these physicians, but I have heard great things. In residency, I was fortunate to receive the J. Frederick Green Award in Occupational Medicine and am so happy to see Dr. J. Frederick Green and several other colleagues recognized for their contributions to CSOEMA and our field here in the CSOEMA Connection.
If you have not already registered for the 100th Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar, to be held from March 7-9, 2024, in Lisle, IL, please take a moment to do that. Check with Susan Rittenhouse, Executive Director of CSOEMA if youâre not sure if you already registered. Knowing how many will attend in person and virtually helps us plan to have enough refreshments on site, so please register ASAP if you havenât already. We have some special things incorporated into the Spring seminar that I do not want you to miss! Throughout the conference, we will look at the past and the future of Occupational Medicine practice, and Iâm excited by the number of speakers and panel presenters we have. It will be great to hear from so many of our CSOEMA members. Iâm so appreciative of the work of the conference planning committee, the speakers who have signed on, and all the CSOEMA members planning to participate. The conference agenda reflects the collaboration, expertise, and camaraderie at the core of CSOEMA, and Iâm sure it will be a great event.
I look forward to welcoming you all to our historic 100th Annual Spring Seminar and catching up! Together, we have the power to shape the future of OEM and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of workers and communities across the region.
See you soon,
Laura
Around the States
National
- NPR ( February 3, 2024): One year after a toxic train derailment, East Palestine is still recovering. On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, OH, unleashing fiery plumes of toxic chemicals. A year later, the community continues to recover, but tensions remain. The White House issued a FACT SHEET: One Year After Train Derailment, Biden-â Harris Administration Continues to Support People in East Palestine, Ohio and Nearby Communities and Hold Norfolk Southern Accountable. The Pennsylvania Department of Health published a report on Chemical Exposures and Health Outcomes of the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment on Pennsylvania First Responders in May 2023. Oladeji O et al. published independent air monitoring results in the article Air Pollutant Patterns and Human Health Risk following the East Palestine, Ohio, Train Derailment published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters in July 2023. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00324. PMID: 37577363; PMCID: PMC10413936. Also available in PDF format.
- PBS Newshour (January 14, 2024): How rural communities are tackling a suicide and depression crisis among farmers. More than 50,000 Americans took their own lives in 2023, the nationâs highest yearly rate of suicide on record. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. This report from Wisconsin highlights the burden farmers often deal with and whatâs being done to help them.
- NY Times (February 8, 2024): Construction Industry Grapples With Its Top Killer: Drug Overdose.Construction workers are more likely to die of overdose than workers in any other occupation, forcing the industry to rethink its approach to safety. Construction workers already had the highest on-the-job death toll of any industry. Now, they are more likely to die of overdose than those in any other line of work, according to a new analysis by the CDC. That disparity stems in part from addictive medication workers are prescribed to manage pain from injuries, which are common because of the physical nature of the work.
- Society for Human Resource Management (January 12, 2024): OSHA Now Prefers Safety Helmets over Hard Hats. To better protect its workers from head injuries, the U.S. Department of Laborâs Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in a late-November press release that the agency is replacing traditional hard hats with more-modern safety helmets for agency employees. Agency employees have made the switch and encourage others to follow their lead
- JDSupra (January 12, 2024): OSHA Continues Expansion of Severe Violator Program. In September 2022, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a directive expanding the scope of its Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). SVEP singles out employers that OSHA concludes have demonstrated indifference toward worker safety through willful or repeat citations and failure to abate workplace hazards cited by the agency. Employers enrolled in SVEP can expect mandatory inspections, inspections of facilities not related to the original citations, and publication of safety findings through OSHA press releases. OSHA reduced the criteria for entering into SVEP, drawing additional industries not frequently subject to these measures. EHS Daily Advisor covers the SVEP in this article.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (December 19, 2023): National Census Of Fatal Occupational Injuries In 2022. There were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2022, a 5.7-percent increase from 5,190 in 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The fatal work injury rate was 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.6 per 100,000 FTE in 2021.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (February 8, 2024): Annual 2023 Global Climate Change Report. The year 2023 was the warmest year since global records began in 1850 at 1.18°C (2.12°F), above the 20th century average of 13.9°C (57.0°F). This value is 0.15°C (0.27°F), more than the previous record set in 2016. The ten warmest years in the 174-year record occurred during the last decade (2014â2023). Of note, the year 2005, which was the first year to set a new global temperature record in the 21st century, is now the 12th-warmest year on record. The year 2010, which had surpassed 2005 at the time, now ranks as the 11th-warmest year on record. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a synthesis report for policymakers available here:Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report; Summary for Policymakers. The United Nations Environment Programme (November 20, 2023) issued the Emissions Gap Report 2023. As greenhouse gas emissions hit new highs, temperature records tumble and climate impacts intensify, the Emissions Gap Report 2023: Broken Record â Temperatures hit new highs, yet world fails to cut emissions (again) finds that the world is heading for a temperature rise far above the Paris Agreement goals unless countries deliver more than they have promised. The report is the 14th edition in a series that brings together many of the worldâs top climate scientists to look at future trends in greenhouse gas emissions and provide potential solutions to the challenge of global warming.
- Health Central (January 11, 2024) How Climate Change Is Making These 5 Chronic Conditions Worse. Pollution, high heat, fires, and extreme weather are reshaping our health. Hereâs what you can do about it.
- The Hill (February 9, 2024): 10 states say Biden should issue âemergencyâ worker protections from extreme heat. Attorneys general from 10 states and Washington, D.C., are calling on the Biden administration to issue âemergencyâ protections for workers from extreme heat this summer. In a petition on Friday, the Democratic top prosecutors, led by New Yorkâs Letitia James, said the Biden administration should issue a temporary emergency heat standard for this summer to protect workers.
- The Truthout (February 13, 2024):Michiganâs Historic âRight-to-Workâ Repeal Goes Into Effect. Michigan is the first state in nearly 60 years to repeal the anti-union law. In a major step forward for the labor movement, Michigan Democratsâ repeal of the stateâs decade-old anti-union âright-to-workâ law went into effect on Tuesday, making the state the first to overturn the law in nearly six decades.
- Nationâs Restaurant News (February 13, 2024): California fast-food workers form first-of-its-kind union. Quick-service employees have banded together in California to form the California Fast Food Workers Union, a nontraditional union thatâs the first of its kind in the country and backed by the Service Employees International Union.
Illinois
- Labor Tribune (January 15, 2024): A year of workersâ rights in Illinois. 2023 was a major year for Labor in Illinois, following 2022âs passage of the Workersâ Rights Amendment with a series of new laws and major court cases that have added more protections for union members and families.
- Investigate Midwest (January 18, 2024): Accidents and emergency calls mount at Archer Daniels Midland plants in Decatur in past year. An employee died in a rail accident in April 2023. Multiple employees have been injured in explosions. Emergency medical services and fire department reports obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request show emergency responders were dispatched to the ADM Decatur plant at least 68 times between January 2023 and October 2023. Within that period, emergency medical services were called to the Decatur plant 51 times to handle incidents like employees falling and breaking their legs, passing out, or having a stroke. There were 13 calls for fire-related incidents. Most of those incidents do not meet the criteria for OSHA inspections.
Indiana
- The Washington Post (November 26, 2023): A 20-year-old Amazon employee died at work. Indiana issued a $7,000 fine.Amazonâs safety record is under unprecedented scrutiny, but state and federal regulators often have limited ability to enforce safety policies at company warehouses
Iowa
- Iowa College of Public Health (August 2, 2023): UI study shows young workers face high levels of workplace violence.Young workers in the United States face a significant risk of workplace violence, especially in the retail and service industries where they are frequently employed, according to recent University of Iowa research.
Minnesota
- MPR (January 16, 2024):Minnesota finds increased health risk from âforever chemicalsâ Perfluorinated chemicals have been widely used for decades in firefighting foam and many household items. They are widespread in the environment and in human bodies and do not break down in the environment. The large class of manmade chemicals was originally developed in Minnesota by Maplewood-based 3M. Based on the latest human research, the Minnesota Health Department has updated the health-based values for the chemicals for the sixth time. Some of the levels at which health risks are thought to begin were significantly lowered.
- MPR (February 12, 2024): New program aims to help immigrant-owned hair and nail salons switch to safer products. Have you ever checked the ingredients in a bottle of nail polish? How about hair dye or chemical straighteners? Many of these products do what they do, thanks to strong chemicals that can be bad for our health.
- MPR (February 7, 2024): Activists voice concerns in ongoing Smith Foundry investigation. Residents and climate activists in Minneapolisâ East Phillips neighborhood are continuing calls to shut down Smith Foundry, as regulators continue an investigation into pollution levels. State and federal regulators said recent test data from Smith Foundry shows itâs operating within the rules set out in its permit. But local environmental activists are still calling for action against the iron foundry, since federal regulators noted violations of state and federal regulations last summer.
Missouri
- NBC 5 (February 5, 2024): Newly filed legislation in Missouri aims to address workplace violence in health care. Nurses, paramedics, and even physicians are targeted inside hospitals and clinics. Now, there’s a new plan to help protect them. House Bill 2556 would prevent hospitals from requiring employees to restrain patients if they fear for their own safety.
- Occupational Health and Safety (December 21, 2023): New OSHA Partnership Aims to Enhance Protections for Missouri Nursing Assistants. The two-year agreement with the National Association of Health Care Assistants focuses on workplace training and education.
- Safety and Health Magazine (November 6, 2023): University of Missouri launches work zone safety center. Amid one of the most ambitious road construction efforts in state history, the University of Missouri has established a center aimed at preventing fatalities and serious injuries in work zones. The Missouri Work Zone Safety Center of Excellence will lead research and outreach on developing behavioral, educational, engineering, and technological solutions to protect workers involved in the Improve I-70 project, which is expected to take up to five years.
North Dakota
- InForum (October 19, 2023): New report shows North Dakota as the deadliest state to work. “Itâs not one of the things we want to be known for, especially right now as weâre trying to recruit people to North Dakota to work,” said Landis Larson, president of AFL-CIO.
Wisconsin
- ProPublica (December 22, 2023): When Immigrant Dairy Farm Workers Get Hurt, Most Canât Rely on Workersâ Compensation. Wisconsinâs exemption for small farms is one of many federal and state carve-outs that have historically left farm workers â and dairy workers in particular â with fewer rights and protections than others.
OEM Images of the Month
ACOEM (January 15, 2024): Devastating flooding caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine continues to cause “immense human suffering,” according to a special editorial in the January 2024 Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
“[S]ome hundreds of thousands of civilians…may face health problems for years to come, due to the environmental impact of the [dam] collapse,” according to the article by Marc Wilkenfeld, MD, of NYU LangoneâLong Island Hospital and Manijeh Berenji, MD, MPH, of UC Irvine Schools of Medicine and Public Health.
In June of 2023, the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, causing at least 52 deaths and evacuation of more than 11,000 people in both Ukrainian- and Russian-controlled territory. “The dam’s destruction and the flooding that ensued have wreaked havoc on the Dnipro River plain, displacing thousands of families and leaving many more susceptible to contaminants that are still dispersing,” Drs. Wilkenfeld and Berenji write.
The authors discuss the devastating public health effects facing the “invisible victims” of the dam’s destruction, including exposure to sewage, industrial chemicals, mold, and spilled fuels. The researchers add, “The floodwaters have destroyed millions of hectares of farmland, which will ultimately lead to food shortages and price increases this winter.”
Drs. Wilkenfeld and Berenji call for immediate action by NATO, in conjunction with non-governmental organizations and international humanitarian agencies, to mitigate the spread of disease in areas affected by the flooding. They emphasize the urgent need to provide “clean, safe water for as long as needed.”
Other priorities including preparations for mold testing and remediation; education and prevention to address the risks of infectious disease and chemical exposures; and access to health care, including mobile clinics as well as mental health services to help displaced people to better process and cope with the traumatic events they faced.
“As fighting is now again intensifying along the Dnipro River, the people of Ukraine cannot yet know when peace will return to their country,” the authors conclude. “In the meantime, responding to the still-unfolding public health crisis in their midst will help spare some of the war’s future victims.”
The link to the editorial and CME test can be found here. Source: Wilkenfeld, Marc MD; Berenji, Manijeh MD, MPH. Poisoned Waters of War: Ukraineâs Invisible Victims. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 66(1):p 9-10, January 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002977
In 2023, there were 28 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. These events included one drought event, four flooding events, 19 severe storm events, two tropical cyclone events, one wildfire event, and one winter storm event. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 492 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The 1980â2023 annual average is 8.5 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent five years (2019â2023) is 20.4 events (CPI-adjusted).
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2024). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/, DOI: 10.25921/stkw-7w73
OEM Clinical Practice Highlights
- Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine | Clinical Guidelines (14 February 2017): Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA, Timothy J. Wilt, MD, MPH, Robert M. McLean, MD, and Mary Ann Forciea, MD, for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. https://doi.org/10.7326/M16-2367
- Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2023. Annals of Internal Medicine | Clinical Guidelines (10 February 2023): Neil Murthy, MD, MPH, MSJ, A. Patricia Wodi, MD, MPH, Sybil Cineas, MD, and Kevin A. Ault, MD, for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. https://doi.org/10.7326/M23-0041
- Role and Value of the Corporate Medical Director. The role of the Corporate Medical Director (CMD) has received increased attention during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to evolve. This guidance statement provides updated information on the evolution of the CMD in maintaining and enhancing worker health and productivity. It examines the CMDâs role in an organizationâs health policy, strategy, and leadership; culture of health and well-being; mental health; employer benefits design; global health programs, travel medicine, and remote/extreme environments; on- and near-site clinics; digital technology, artificial intelligence, and telehealth; critical incident preparedness and business continuity planning; periodic executive health exams; and workplace hazards. From: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 65(12):p e797-e807, December 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002979
- Long COVID and Occupational Medicine Practice. Howard, John MD; Cloeren, Marianne MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACP; Vanichkachorn, Greg MD, MPH. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 66(1):p 1-5, January 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002961
- MDGuidelines: Did you know?… Your ACOEM Membership now includes access to MDGuidelines, the industry-leading online tool to access evidence-based disability duration information quickly, and ACOEM Clinical Guidelines. This offer is valid for U.S.-based ACOEM members with active membership. Launch the new MDGuidelines ACOEM Navigator. For more information, click here.
- ACOEM | On-Demand Learning: Enhance Your Skills and Knowledge and earn continuing medical education. View ACOEM’s extensive on-demand learning opportunities in the ACOEM Store. ACOEM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.
OEM Research Rounds
Xing, Weilong; Liang, Mengyuan; Gu, Wen; Wang, Zhen; Fan, Deling; Zhang, Bing; Sun, Shuai; Wang, Lei; Shi, Lili. Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Hyperlipidemia Among Adults: Data From NHANES 2017â2018. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 66(2):105-110, February 2024.
Modji, Komi K.S.; McCoy, Katherine E.; Creswell, Paul D.; Morris, Collin R.; Tomasallo, Carrie D. Long COVID Among Wisconsin Workers in the Workersâ Compensation System: Associations With Sociodemographics, Vaccination, and Predominant Variant Period From March 1, 2020 to July 31, 2022. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 66(2):e34-e41, February 2024.
100th Annual 2023 CSOEMA SPRING SEMINAR on March 7-9, 2024
Registration for the 100th Annual 2023 CSOEMA Spring Seminar is open. The Spring Seminar returns on March 7-9, 2024, in Lisle, IL, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville. The Spring Seminar will be special as it will be the 100th Spring Seminar hosted by CSOEMA. Special events are planned to mark this special moment in our history.
Seminar Topics include:
- Innovation in OEM practice – Utilization of state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence for deciphering pain characteristics in musculoskeletal disorders
- Changing Paradigms in Tuberculosis Risk, Testing, and Treatment
- Taking Care of Our Own
- Arsenic and other Hazardous Pesticides in the Museum Setting
- An Overview of Aerotoxic Syndrome
- New Uniform Toxicologic Health Concerns in Commercial Airline Workers
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: Old Exposure for a New Reason
- Ethylene Oxide â Reasons and Status of Substitution in Healthcare
- Using the EMR for occupational medicine research and surveillance
- ACOEM updates
- Manganese Toxicity and Parkinsonism
- CSOEMA Past Presidents Panel and Group Discussion
- An Overview of Aerotoxic Syndrome
- Welder with “Shaking Palsy”
- Use of Race Neutral Equations in Occupational Spirometry
- And more…
View the Spring Seminar Agenda Here!
Additionally, if you are among the first 100 registrants for the 100th Annual 2023 Spring Seminar, and if 100 people register, you will be entered into a raffle drawing to win a FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION. Yes, you heard that right: your conference registration fee will be waived if you are the winner of this drawing. So, bring a friend to the Spring Seminar! Attend the Spring Seminar with your colleagues! Get the special group rate on your hotel reservation by registering for the conference through the CSOEMA website and by using the group code when making your lodging reservation. Visit the CSOEMA website to register for this event.
100 Years of Occupational Medicine in the Central States: the Past, the Present, and Shaping the Future
Interview with John Kuhnlein, DO, MPH, FACPM, FACOEM
Dr. John Kuhnlein has been delving into the history of CSOEMA in preparation for a special presentation during the 100th Spring Seminar celebration this March in Lisle. In the process, he discovered a treasure trove of information not only on the history of CSOEMA but also on the field of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in the context of U.S. history. We had the chance to sit down with Dr. Kuhnlein to ask questions about what he found in his research.
Q. Can you share some key discoveries or insights you gained while reviewing archival materials for the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association (CSOEMA) history project?
A: Iâve been struck by how many of the original leaders in our field came from CSOEMA territory; Alice Hamilton lived in Chicago for years before going part-time to Harvard; Dr. Harry Mock and Dr. Andrew Magee first discussed a national organization in Chicago; C.O. Sappington was from our area. Many of the initial national leaders came from what later became CSOEMA. The list goes on.
One insight was how long it took to complete projects because everything had to be done by paper mail services. There was no email or Zoom like we have today, so projects moved more slowly as letters were exchanged.
Iâve also been interested to find that in the early days of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in the Midwest, the distances were more of an issue. There were concerns about having enough attendees at a proposed meeting in Milwaukee as it would be difficult to get people there for the meeting.
In our early days, membership was much more selective. Physicians had to apply for membership and meet strict criteria of experience and dedication to the profession before they were granted membership â and membership was by committee, even for the founding fathers of the American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons (AAIPS was the first organization, later named the Industrial Medical Association and later ACOEM).
Q. What specific challenges did you encounter during the archival research, and how did you overcome them?
A. Much of the documentation weâve found was in poor condition, making it difficult to scan digitally. Itâs been challenging to organize the records so we can work with them.
Q. Were there any unexpected or intriguing stories that emerged from the historical documents you examined?
A. I was unaware that CSOEMA had a womenâs auxiliary for more than a decade or that CSOEMA met at the Playboy club at one time. Also, I just found out that Alice Hamilton’s correspondence created an FBI surveillance file on her, and they looked into ways to counteract her activities. You canât make this stuff up.
Industrial Toxicology and Industrial Poisons; Image Credit: From the collection of the National Institute of Health
Q. How did the historical context of CSOEMA shape the occupational and environmental medical landscape during the period covered by the project?
A. CSOEMA members and leaders have been instrumental in leading the development of concepts like light duty work, industrial toxin investigation, survelllance physicals, in-plant medical departments, and other initiatives during times of peace and war.
Q. Were there any particular individuals or events that stood out to you during the research, and how did they influence the development of the occupational and environmental medical field?
A. Alice Hamilton, Harry Mock, Andrew Magee. C.O. Sappington in the early days. Later leaders such as Fred Green, Rennie Brisenden, Dan Conrad, Hester Hursh; and then Mark Roberts, Beth Baker, David Katz and Dan Samo; the line goes on to today when our young leaders are assuming leadership to move CSOEMA to the future, such as Laura Breeher, Zeke McKinney, Greg Couser, Ted Niemiec, Will Wong, and so many more. There are so many talented CSOEMA physicians who have been leaders in the past, now, and probably in the future within CSOEMA and ACOEM.
Q. Can you discuss the importance of preserving and documenting the history of organizations like CSOEMA for future generations?
A. One of the recurring themes Iâve seen is that Occupational Medicine physicians have been instrumental in identifying problems and that the responses from industry and government lag behind. The adage âThose who donât learn from history are doomed to repeat itâ is very true and reflected in the documents weâve found. We truly donât know who we are now or what we could become in the future without knowing what challenges those who have come before us have overcome.
Q. How did the archival material contribute to understanding the role of occupational and environmental medicine in addressing societal challenges?
A. The work performed by Occupational Medicine physicians has pointed to the identification of significant medical problems such as phosphorus poisoning, and silicosis, and the development of preventive medicine programs in concert with other occupational health disciplines, such as safety and industrial hygiene professionals, have led to a greater understanding of the relationship of not only The Dangerous Trades as Alice Hamilton researched, but also how worker health is one of our greatest natural resources. There is an interaction between worker health and clean water and air, the prevention of infectious disease, among other concerns. This information reinforces how our specialty has contributed to society in many ways.
Q. What recommendations do you have for future ACOEM members or historians interested in delving into similar archival projects in the field of occupational and environmental medicine?
A. Patience. Good notes. Curiosity.
Dr. John Kuhnlein is Board Certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. He is a Fellow in the American College of Preventive Medicine and a Fellow in the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Kuhnlein is a member of the Polk County Medical Society, the Iowa Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Kuhnlein served on the Board of Governors and Executive Committee for the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association and served as President of the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association in 2016â2017. Dr. Kuhnlein is currently the medical representative on the Workerâs Compensation Advisory Committee. During his career, Dr. Kuhnlein has worked with companies both large and small, from the examination room to the corporate boardroom. He served on the Iowa Task Force concerning the use of The Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment in Iowa. He founded Medix Occupational Health in 1998 and opened the Ankeny, Iowa, clinic in 2003.
Member Highlights
- Laura Breeher, MD, MPH, FACOEM, CSOEMA President and occupational and environmental medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, was interviewed in January 2024 for an NBC News article on Lead-contaminated applesauce pouches also contained chromium, FDA says. Itâs unclear whether kids exposed to chromium are at risk for serious health problems. Information on the effects of eating food contaminated with chromium is limited.
- Melanie Swift, MD, MPH; Gregory Couser, MD, MPH; Philip Hagen, MD; Mitchell Nelson, BS; Clayton T Cowl, MD, MS; and M Hassan Murad, MD, MPH published the results of a retrospective cohort study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings in January 2024. The study describes the population of physicians seeking medical evaluation in a dedicated physician health center and identifies factors associated with needing practice restrictions. The article can be viewed here.
ACOEM Update
Upcoming Events
| CSOEMA 2024 100th Spring Seminar (Register here) | Lisle, IL | March 7-9, 2024 |
| AOHC 2024 (Register here) | Orlando, FL | May 19-22, 2024 |
Future CSOEMA Seminars Survey:
We seek your input to help plan future CSOEMA Seminars
We are considering consolidating CSOEMA Seminars into one large annual conference.
- Should it be a virtual, in-person, or hybrid event?
- How many days should it last?
- Where should conferences take place?
Help us plan for future CSOEMA conferences by taking the survey by clicking here, or go to https://vevox.app/#/m/152356924; or scan the QR code and enter Session ID: 152-356-924. The survey will remain active until March 2024.
Milestones
In Memoriam
Gerald (Jerry) Grawey, MD, FACOEM (June 12, 1927 to March 2, 2020): Past President CSOEMA 1975-76, Past President of American Academy of Occupational Medicine 1982-83. He was Corporate Medical Director for Caterpillar during his career.
Renolds Brissenden III, MD, FACOEM (March 11, 1938 to April 17, 2022): Past President CSOEMA 1979-80. He served as ACOEM chair of the Board of Examiners for Fellowship. He also served as a member of the ACOEM Board of Directors, ACOEM House of Delegates, ACOEM Ergonomics Committee, and the ACOEM Council on International OEM, among other committees. He celebrated 50 years of membership in the college in 2020.
Paul Eggum MD, FACOEM, (May 2, 1934 to March 31, 2011): Past President CSOEMA 1981-82. He was Corporate Medical Director of International Harvester (now Navistar) and was medical consultant to the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Quaker Oats, and Jewel Company during his career. He was a member of the Medical Directors’ Forum, on the ACOEM board of directors, and president of the Medical Directors Club of Chicago.
Brock Weisenberger, MD, FACOEM(October 10, 1933 to April 12, 2019): Past President CSOEMA 1983-84. During his career, he was Medical Director of the Cummins Engine Company and Corporate Medical Director of Abbott Laboratories
J. Frederick Green, MD, FACOEM (November 7, 1934 to July 30, 2020): Past President CSOEMA 1984-85; He served as Corporate Medical Director of John Deere for 25 years until his retirement in 2005. He served as ACOEM president from 1995 to 1996.
Mary Helen Hughes(August 1, 1940-July 7, 2021) Mary Helen is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Hughes (Past President CSOEMA 2004-05). She is also survived by her two sons, Joseph (Melanie) Hughes and Michael (Shirley Reese-Hughes) Hughes, and her daughter Mary Therese (Donald) Findlay, and her seven grandchildren. She is also survived by three siblings: Francis (Mary) Busch of Arizona, Rose Ann Busch of Colorado, and Richard (Marilyn) Busch of Ohio.
Fern E. Asma, MD., 99, of Chicago, passed away Sept. 1, 2019. Devoted daughter of the late Ferdinand and Catherine Asma. Dr. Asma graduated from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in 1946, held a private practice for 21 years, was a professor at several schools, the Assistant Medical Director at Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and the Director of Occupational Medicine at Parkside Medical Services Corp. She committed her life to helping others by instituting treatment programs, researching substance abuse issues, and creating the Fredinand Asma, MD, Family Medical Student Scholarship to support future physicians. She was the member to a litany of medical boards, having been the President of the American Medical Womenâs Association.
Residents Corner
We congratulate the Class of 2024 Senior Residents (PGY-3) in the Central States region in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Health Partners) and Chicago, IL (UIC) as they complete their final year of OEM residency and prepare for their future careers in the field.
HealthPartners OEM Residency
Dr. Nathalee Belser pursued her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Auburn University Montgomery, then completed a Master of Public Administration and post-baccalaureate course study in Healthcare administration. After finishing medical school at Xavier School of Medicine, Nathalee completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke School of Medicine. She completed her Transitional year residency at the University of Pennsylvania Healthcare System and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. In her spare time, Dr. Belser enjoys reading and tennis.
Dr. Race Creeden attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City for undergrad and medical school as part of their 6-year BA/MD program. He was commissioned in the US Navy during medical school. He completed a transitional year internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, then completed Naval Flight Surgeon training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, FL. He then served as a Flight Surgeon at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona for two years. His primary interests are aerospace medicine, hyperbaric medicine, and toxicology. After completing residency, he will return to a Navy command and finish his obligated time with the US Navy. Outside work, he enjoys staying fit, trying local breweries, hiking, range shooting, and hanging out with friends.
Dr. Dominik Dabrowski was born in Krakow, Poland, and grew up in Staten Island, NY. He pursued a Bachelor of Art and a Master of Art in Public Policy at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY. He earned his MD from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Martin in the Dutch West Indies. Dr. Dabrowski continued his medical training at Louisiana State University for Anatomical and Clinical Pathology. His academic interests include workplace safety, immigrant health, public policy, and medical education. He enjoys exercising, especially in the outdoors, films, and spending time with family.
UIC OEM Residency
Dr. John Cooper graduated medical school from Washington University of Health and Sciences and did his intern year in Family Medicine at Louisiana State University in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was recently the director of the Emergency Medicine department and was an emergency room physician at Jeff Davis Hospital in Hazlehurst, Georgia, before joining the UIC Occupational Medicine residency in July 2022.
Dr. Joel Fink graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internship at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumbert, North Carolina. He practiced as a military physician in the Air Force for three years before joining the UIC Occupational Medicine residency in July 2022.
Dr. Fatima Zitouni graduated medical school in Algeria, then worked as primary care physician for 5 years. She moved to the United States in 2014. She completed her PGY1 in Internal Medicine at Weiss Memorial Hospital prior to joining the UIC Occupational Medicine program in July 2022.
The seven states represented by the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association are home to two Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency programs. The HealthPartners Occupational Medicine Residency Program is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the University of Illinois at Chicago Occupational Medicine Residency Program is located in Chicago, Illinois. These programs aim to develop and train preventive medicine physicians in Public Health and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Please contact the residency program directors for more information or visit the websites below.
| Kim Hargis, MD, MPH Program Director, Occupational Medicine Residency Program University of Illinois at Chicago 835 S. Wolcott, MC 684 Chicago, Illinois 60612 [email protected] Phone: 312-996-6765 | 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/ |
CSOEMA T-Shirts & Other SWAG
Order your CSOEMA T-shirts and other SWAG! (SWAG = Souvenirs, Wearables, and Gifts) Hereâs 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/
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].
Support the CSOEMA Foundation
Don’t forget to support the CSOEM Foundation by making a charitable donation. The CSOEM Foundation supports CSOEMA by providing resident scholarships and other seminar-related expense support that would otherwise not be available. Donations made are tax-deductible and support the ongoing work of CSOEMA.
Employment Opportunities
Occupational Medicine Physician
Innovate to solve the worldâs most important challenges
Honeywell is a Fortune 100 company that invents and manufactures technologies to address critical challenges linked to global macrotrends such as safety, security, productivity, global urbanization, and energy. With approximately 129,000 employees worldwide, including more than 19,000 engineers and scientists, Honeywell has an unrelenting focus on quality, delivery, value, and technology in everything they make and do. Honeywell has been named a Top 100 Global Innovator for seven years in a row, recognizing the companyâs global reach of portfolio and invention influence.
In Kansas City, Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies (FM&T) manages and operates the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administrationâs (NNSA) Kansas City National Security Campus. This state-of-the-art engineering, manufacturing, and sourcing facility produces a wide array of intricate components to deliver trusted national security products and government services, primarily for the NNSA. Honeywell FM&Tâs culture of integrity, commitment, and continuous improvement enables them to deliver responsive, collaborative, and innovative management and technology services and products that translate into cutting-edge solutions to complex national security issues.
***This position will be in Kansas City, MO***
Primary Responsibilities:
Clinically:
- Provide diagnostic assessment, treatment, and referral as required for occupational and nonoccupational illnesses and injuries.
- Perform medical surveillance or certification examinations, interpret diagnostic tests and data, prescribe medications, and make independent health care assessments and referrals.
- Conduct thorough physical exams in accordance with established CFR regulations (e.g., 10 CFR 1046, 10 CFR 850, and 10 CFR 712).
- Render medical determination of fitness for duty pursuant to pertinent CFRs, essential job functions and clinical best practices.
- Provide consultation and guidance to a team of occupational health nurses and medical assistants including consulting on medical activities at remote sites.
- Provide emergency medicine specialty consultation as requested.
- Ensure patients receive the highest standard of medical care.
Administratively:
- Provide guidance and direction on programs and activities that support the development of strong physician and administrative relationships while applying process improvement techniques to optimize and improve clinical services.
- Provide oversight of all healthcare regulations and safety standards to ensure compliance, including monitoring for and institutionalizing up-to-date information on new healthcare regulations and standards of care.
- Assist in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, professional development, and performance management of onsite clinic staff.
- Oversee clinical documentation and medical records management to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
- Assist in policy/procedure development, operations, quality assurance, and personnel direction.
- Collaborate with Health, Safety, and Environment (HS&E), Human Resources, and Senior Leadership to ensure workplace health and safety for all employees.
- Create educational content regarding overall employee health and well-being.
You Must Have:
- Minimum ten years of relevant experience, with two of those years directly managing a team.
- Board Certified or eligible in Occupational Medicine.
- MD or DO Licensed in the state of Missouri in good standing.
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
- Ability to work remotely, hybrid, or on-site as directed by management and is determined by the needs of the business.
- United States Citizenship.
- Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this job.
We Value:
- Rapidly developing and sound understanding and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
FMT2021
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Job ID: req427336
- Job Function: Health, Safety & Environment
- Relocation Tier: Tier 3
- Security Clearance: US â DOE Q Clearance
- Aviation Authority (FAA for US): No
- Band: 04
- Referral Bonus: 2,500.00
- Requisition Type: Standard Requisition
- US Citizenship:
- FLSA Statement: In this position, you will exercise discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance.
- FLSA CODE: Exempt
Honeywell is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.
Are you interested in posting a job listing with CSOEMA?
Job postings will be listed on both the CSOEMA website and the CSOEMA Connection Newsletter and distributed once via email to the CSOEMA membership. Please send an email to: [email protected]
For members or sponsors:
- 1 free 60-day advertisement period/year
- $150 for each additional 60-day advertisement period
For unaffiliated individuals/organizations:$300 for a 60-day advertisement period
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 Presidentâ
CSOEMA Governors
| Marcus Rushing, MD, MS Maria Starchook-Moore MD | Governors at Large: 2021-2024 |
| Chris Iverson, MD MBA, MPH | Governors at Large: 2022-2025 |
| Corey Cronrath, DO, MPH, CPE Kodjo Bossou, MD, MPH | Governors at Large: 2023-2026 |
| Paul Malak MD (MO) Linda Go MD (WI) | State Governors: 2021-2024 |
| Vacant (MN), Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH (IA) | State Governors: 2022-2025 |
| Ambica Nakhasi, MD (IL) Christopher Smelser, DO, MPH, FACOEM (IN) | State Governors: 2023-2026 |
| Dominic Dabrowski, MD MPH (Health Partners Residency, MN) | Resident Governor: 2023-2024 |
CSOEMA Connection Editorial Staff
William Wong, MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM, Editor-in-Chief
Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Editor
Anitha Nimmagadda, MD, MPH, Editor
The CSOEMA Connection newsletter is the collaborative effort of CSOEMA members. It is a way for us to celebrate our membersâ work, discuss important issues, and share information to support our mission. Allow your voice to be heard by contributing to this newsletter. If you have ideas for themes of future newsletter issues, have a tip for us about something (or someone) to feature, or just to let us know how we are doing, please reach out. Please send any contributions, questions, or comments to [email protected], or contact Susan Rittenhouse, CSOEMA Executive Director, at [email protected].
