CSOEMA Connection (Fall 2026)

By Małgorzata Hasek, MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACPM

CSOEMA President, 2026–2027

Hudson Institute of Medical Research (6 July 2026): Airway cells, not immune cells, trigger silicosis: new understanding of a deadly disease. Silicosis — a devastating and incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust — is surging worldwide, fuelled by a new wave of aggressive cases in young tradespeople working with engineered stone. Despite its growing impact, the biological triggers that turn silica exposure into life-threatening lung inflammation and scarring have remained poorly understood. Now, researchers at Hudson Institute of Medical Research have overturned decades of scientific assumptions, revealing that the structural cells lining the airways — not immune cells — are major instigators of silica-induced lung damage. The discovery identifies a new therapeutic target for a disease that currently has no cure.

The Value Proposition: What OEM Physicians Bring to Healthcare Sustainability

By Michael Zimmerman, MD, Tracy Tang, MOT, MBA, Patthrarawalai Sirinara, MD, MPH, PhD, Hannah Thompson, MD, and Manijeh Berenji, MD, MPH
May 26, 2026

With training and experience in exposure prevention, hazard mitigation, and systems-based thinking, OEM physicians bring knowledge and skills in developing and executing sustainability initiatives in complex healthcare environments. This article explores how core OEM frameworks and tools can be used to reduce healthcare-related emissions, waste, and resource consumption while also developing strategies to address the effects of climate change on health. OEM specialists can link clinical care and operational strategy, liaising with multidisciplinary stakeholders, and driving culture change related to sustainability. As the healthcare sector faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint while improving quality and cost-effectiveness, OEM physicians offer expertise to support this evolution. Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) has always operated where work, science, and policy meet. In the first half of 2026, that intersection has become more dynamic as clinicians confront a set of emerging issues that are not only scientifically important, but immediately relevant to everyday practice.

Read the full article (ACOEM PDF)

CSOEMA Fall Virtual Seminar

The 2026 CSOEMA Fall Seminar will be held on September 11, 2026, as a one-day virtual conference. The theme of the seminar is: From Risk to Response: Screening and Surveillance in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The Fall Seminar offers both live and asynchronous CME sessions to all attendees. Co-Chairs: Drs. Margaret Hasek, Christopher Iverson, and Ivy Obony. Come One, Come All! All are Welcome! Visit the CSOEMA website to register for this event.

The Fall Seminar is held virtually, offering live and asynchronous CME sessions to all attendees. Co-Chairs: Drs. Margaret Hasek, Christopher Iverson, and Ivy Obony. Visit the CSOEMA website to register.

103rd Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar · March 11–13, 2027

Save the Date for the 103rd Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar. We invite you to attend the Spring Seminar Great Lakes, Great Work: Advancing Occupational and Environmental Medicine on March 11–13, 2027, in Madison, WI. Whether you attend live in-person or virtual online, this year’s conference is sure to be a memorable event. Come for professional enrichment, continuing medical education credits, and fellowship with your OccMed colleagues. The Conference Co-Chairs are: Drs. Margaret Hasek, Jui Haker, Maria Starchook-Moore, and Nick Blonien.

Is there a particular topic you would like presented at the next CSOEMA Seminar? Do you have a presentation that you would like to share? We are always looking for talented, interesting speakers for our Seminars. Do you or someone you know have a presentation or topic that would interest our membership? Let us know by completing this quick form!

Upcoming Events

Central States Regional Meeting: Chicago OEM Society — Fall Assembly

Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
RSVP here

OEM Advocacy Spotlight

Learn more about what ACOEM is doing for YOU and OUR PROFESSION. Check out the following ACOEM websites for more information:

• Advocacy
• Protect OEM
• ACOEM Public Comments
• Agenda for Change
• Federal & State Relations

OEM Clinical Practice Highlights

• ACOEM (August 1, 2026): Update on Occupational Health Guidance for Pregnant Workers. An updated evidence review and synthesis highlights the limitations of guidelines for managing potential occupational hazards for workers who are pregnant or nursing, reports the August issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The special review by a team of three Michigan medical students draws attention to the scarce and variable information on the reproductive health risks of occupational exposures.
• Public Safety Medicine Course. Get certified and earn CME credit. This comprehensive course provides physicians and other healthcare providers with practical, evidence-based guidance for the medical evaluation of public safety employees, including law enforcement officers (LEO), firefighters, correctional officers, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, tactical team members and bomb squad members. Using the ACOEM Guidance for the Medical Evaluation of Public Safety Employees and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1580, the course addresses initial, periodic, and fitness-for-duty (return to work and disability) evaluations across a broad range of medical conditions. Learners will explore cardiovascular, visual, auditory, endocrine, neurologic, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, mental health, infectious disease, pregnancy and medications topics, with a focus on assessing risk of sudden incapacitation and physical and cognitive inability to perform essential job tasks. The course emphasizes real-world application, regulatory compliance, and consistency in medical decision-making for safety-sensitive occupations. Physicians who complete this course will be included in ACOEM’s Public Safety Medicine Find a Provider website, identifying them as having completed this course on fitness for duty evaluations for public safety employees. This directory will serve as a resource for public safety chiefs and management seeking evaluation services. Learn more at publicsafetymedicine.org.
• ACOEM and ACLM Release New Guide to Bring Lifestyle Medicine into the Workplace (June 15, 2026). The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) announced the release of the Guide to Bringing Lifestyle Medicine into Workplaces, a practical, evidence-based resource designed to help organizations build healthier workforces from the ground up. Developed through a collaboration between the two organizations, the guide is intended for employers, benefits leaders, occupational health professionals, and lifestyle medicine clinicians who want to move beyond traditional wellness programs and create durable, systems-level approaches to workforce health.
• MDGuidelines: Did you know? Your ACOEM Membership now includes access to MDGuidelines, the industry-leading online tool for quickly accessing evidence-based disability duration information, 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.

Exposure to Industrial Pollutants Linked to Breast Cancer Risk

ACOEM · July 1, 2026 — Read the original study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Exposure to specific air pollutants from nearby industrial sites may be associated with breast cancer risk among women in Los Angeles, reports a study in the July issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Julia E. Heck, PhD, MPH, of the University of North Texas and colleagues analyzed data from 53,313 women enrolled in a long-term study of health risks (the California Multiethnic Cohort) in Los Angeles County. The women varied in terms of racial/ethnic group and socioeconomic status. The researchers used data from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory to estimate exposure to industrial pollutants, based on the participants’ home address and distance to industrial release sites. Exposure to 15 common pollutants widely used in industrial products and processes was evaluated for association with breast cancer risk, with adjustment for other cancer risk factors.

For several pollutants, high levels of exposure were linked to higher breast cancer risk. Implicated chemicals included dichloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, diethanolamine, and methyl ethyl ketone. The associations varied in strength: for example, for each category (quartile) increase in exposure level, breast cancer risk increased by 17% for dichloromethane, 53% for tetrachloroethylene, and 77% for 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Higher exposure to formaldehyde was associated with a 44% increase in the risk of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer, but not other types. That finding suggested that potential causative factors might vary by cancer subtype.

Some of the implicated pollutants had previously been identified as occupational risk factors for breast cancer. For others, the new study is the first to report an association with breast cancer.

The new study is the first to focus on exposure to common industrial exposures as possible risk factors for breast cancer. The findings “underscore the need to incorporate environmental exposure assessment into cancer prevention and risk reduction strategies and support policies to limit emissions from industrial sources to protect community and occupational health,” Dr. Heck and coauthors conclude.

Member Highlights

ACOEM (August 5, 2026): ACOEM Fellow Dr. Erica Schwartz Confirmed as CDC Director. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) congratulates ACOEM Fellow Dr. Erica Schwartz, FACOEM, on her confirmation by the United States Senate as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Senate voted on Wednesday, Aug. 5, to confirm Dr. Schwartz, making her the 22nd director of the Atlanta-based agency, the nation’s leading public health institution charged with protecting Americans from preventable health threats.

Become an ACOEM Fellow

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 2027 are now being accepted! Completed applications and all required documents must be submitted to fellows@acoem.org by November 1, 2026. For more information about the ACOEM Fellowship, click here.

Support the CSOEMA History Project

We invite you to make a financial contribution to support preserving the history of occupational and environmental medicine. Your donations will help fund ongoing projects, including completing the Occupational and Environmental Medicine documentary, which aims to capture our legacy and contributions to the OEM field. If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please contact CSOEMA Executive Director Susan Rittenhouse at susan@csoema.org. Your support is invaluable to the success of this project and the continued growth of our organization.

ACOEM Update

Represent CSOEMA as a member of the ACOEM House of Delegates

The House of Delegates is ACOEM’s legislative branch, making recommendations to the ACOEM Board of Directors concerning policy matters affecting the College. These policy issues take the form of resolutions. Created in October 1966, the House usually meets twice a year — at the spring American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC) and at ACOEM HQ in the fall. For more information, send an email to susan@csoema.org.

OccPod: the official ACOEM podcast

OccPod is the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. These recordings began with COVID Conversations, a special presentation of the podcast focused on disseminating information about COVID-19. Now, OccPod delves into additional realms of worker health and safety, including our changing climate. OccPod is grounded in science with a focus on occupational and environmental medicine. Listen Now! Find OccPod on your favorite podcast platform, or play directly from the web.

OccTok

Enterprise Health produces the OccTok podcast to support the ACOEM Ambassador Program. Hosted by Jeff Donnell, each episode features occupational health professionals who share their stories about how they got into OEM, what they like most about the field, and what advice they have for medical professionals who are considering this career path. All episodes can be accessed on Podbean or Apple Podcasts.

Has your ACOEM membership lapsed?

We would love to have you back as a member. ACOEM membership provides opportunities for physicians and associated healthcare professionals to enhance their careers through education, networking, and leadership. Membership also helps to: 1) Enhance the stature and recognition of the specialty; 2) Strengthen the voice of OEM in health policy debates; 3) Promote new levels of competency in the prevention and treatment of illness, injury, and disability in the work environment and community; 4) Reduce Seminar Registration Rates. Contact ACOEM’s Customer Support Team at 847-818-1800 and ask about a discount to renew.

Nominations Accepted for the CSOEMA Awards

• The National Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the specialty and has taken steps to promote the specialty on a national level through research, education, and/or by increasing awareness of the value of the specialty.
• The Dedicated Service Award, created in 2005, is given at the Spring Seminar of the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association. The Dedicated Service Award recognizes a CSOEMA member who has exhibited outstanding service to the Association over a period of many years.
• The Exemplary Service Award, created in 2009, is given at the Fall Seminar of the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association. The Exemplary Service Award recognizes a CSOEMA member who has exhibited outstanding leadership and ability to accomplish a specific initiative or task that has and/or will provide significant benefit to the Association.
• The Dr. Alice Hamilton Award was established in 2024 to encourage and celebrate physicians with exemplary contributions to the fields of occupational medicine research, education, clinical occupational medicine, or occupational/environmental toxicology. Look for the inauguration of the Alice Hamilton Award to be given in Spring 2025.

Recognize a deserving member for a CSOEMA award by following this nomination link.

Residents Corner

The ten states represented by the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association are home to one Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency program at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. This program aims to develop and train preventive medicine physicians in Public Health and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Please contact the residency program director for more information or visit the website below.

With great sadness, the HealthPartners Occupational Medicine Residency in Minnesota closed due to federal funding issues, specifically stemming from reductions to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) grants. Because most of these training programs rely heavily on federal support, NIOSH budget cuts severely impacted the program’s ability to fund accredited positions, forcing its closure.

Jeffery Weisman, MD, MPH
Program Director, Occupational Medicine Residency Program
University of Illinois at Chicago
835 S. Wolcott, MC 684
Chicago, Illinois 60612
jweisman@uic.edu
Phone: 312-996-1277 | Fax: 312-413-8485
https://glcohs.uic.edu/residency/.

Milestones

Do you have a Milestone announcement to share? Let us know about your birth, marriage, anniversary, promotion, or other life milestone by sending an email to: editor@csoema.org.

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!

Get Engaged!

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. In addition to these roles, there are so many more ways to get involved. Check out our new webpage highlighting the numerous opportunities to get further involved. 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 susan@csoema.org.

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.

Job Postings

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: admin@csoema.org.

For members or sponsors:

• One 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