Summer 2026 — Issue 1 — Volume 5
Welcome to the CSOEMA Connection, a quarterly e-newsletter for members, associates, and friends of the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association.
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President’s Insights
By Małgorzata Hasek, MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACPM
CSOEMA President, 2026–2027
Dear CSOEMA Colleagues,
Summer is in full swing across the ten CSOEMA states and throughout several areas of the world. In fact, Europe recently experienced a historic heat wave—I can attest to that firsthand, as my family and I were on vacation in Poland at the time. Whew, it was hot! I hope you are all enjoying a safe and relaxing summer and finding time to enjoy the sunshine with family and friends.
Looking Back: This past spring featured two outstanding opportunities for CSOEMA members to engage. Our 102nd Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar, Prevention Works: Advocating for Policy to Protect the Workforce, was held March 12–14, 2026, in Lisle, Illinois. Members participated both in person and virtually, and the seminar received overwhelmingly positive feedback. A special thank you to our seminar co-chairs—Drs. Isabel Pereira, Margaret Hasek, and Kristin Houseknecht—for their exceptional leadership in planning such a successful event. Also, this past spring, many CSOEMA members attended the American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC), Healthy Workers. Healthy World., held April 19–22, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk in Chicago, Illinois. It was wonderful to gather for the CSOEMA Luncheon at Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub near the conference hotel, where members enjoyed great food, fellowship, and the opportunity to reconnect.
I would also like to congratulate our CSOEMA members who were inducted as ACOEM Fellows during AOHC, or section scholarship recipients: Dr. Claudia Corwin, Dr. Erin J. Kennedy, Dr. Kim Hargis, Dr. Steven J. Rippentrop, Dr. Samuel Ko, Dr. Russell Tontz III, and Dr. Mustafijir Rhaman (scholarship recipient). Congratulations on this well-deserved professional achievement!
Looking Forward: As summer progresses, the CSOEMA Executive Committee (EC)—Drs. Margaret Hasek, Maria Starchook-Moore, Christopher Iverson, Kodjo Bassou, and Isabel Pereira are preparing for the annual Executive Committee Retreat, which will take place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. During the retreat, the Executive Committee will discuss strategic priorities for the Association and review the plans for the educational programs and member activities for the coming year. Unfortunately, our pilot “Summer Social,” planned for members on the day following the retreat, has been canceled due to limited registration. We appreciate everyone who expressed interest and hope to explore similar opportunities in the future.
Meanwhile, our seminar planning committees continue working diligently—often a full year in advance—to develop meaningful, high-quality CME/nursing credit opportunities for our members. Please save the following dates and continue to visit the CSOEMA website for agenda updates and registration information.
The 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
The 103rd Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar will be held on March 11–13, 2027, at The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club in Madison, Wisconsin. Co-Chairs: Drs. Margaret Hasek, Jui Haker, Maria Starchook-Moore, and Nick Blonien. The theme of the seminar is Great Lakes, Great Work: Advancing Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
I would like to sincerely thank all of our seminar co-chairs, along with Ms. Susan Rittenhouse, for their dedication, countless hours of work, and commitment to providing exceptional educational programming and networking opportunities for our members.
CSOEMA remains committed to engaging the next generation of occupational and environmental medicine physicians. We invite residents from the University of Illinois Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency, as well as the Public Health and General Preventive Medicine residency programs at Cook County Health/Northwestern and the University of Wisconsin, to participate in our activities. We welcome additional ideas on how CSOEMA can continue supporting physicians-in-training across the American Board of Preventive Medicine specialties.
Finally, for those following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it has been exciting to watch the tournament unfold as teams compete for a place in the semifinals in Dallas and Atlanta. This year’s competition marks the 23rd FIFA World Cup and the largest tournament in history, featuring 48 national teams and three host countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your CSOEMA President during the 2026–2027 year. I appreciate your continued support and engagement, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.
Warm regards,
Margaret
Małgorzata Hasek, MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACPM
CSOEMA President, 2026–2027
Regional briefing
Around the States
Selected occupational and environmental medicine developments from across the CSOEMA region and the nation.
National
- NPR (May 18, 2026): Thousands of U.S. countertop workers could have damaged lungs, safety expert says. Compared to granite or marble, manufactured quartz contains far more of the mineral silica — and silica dust can cause lung damage if you breathe it in. That danger has become dramatically clear in California, where officials have been grappling with an epidemic of silicosis, an irreversible lung disease. They’ve tracked over 550 sickened countertop workers, almost all Hispanic men, with most of the cases emerging over the last few years. Over 30 workers have died, and more than 50 have had lung transplants, according to a public dashboard where the numbers keep going up. On May 21, a workplace safety board in California will vote on whether the state should ban the cutting of high-silica quartz countertop material, as a group of doctors has petitioned the state to do.
- Healthcaredive.com (Jan 14th, 2026): HHC reverses layoffs at CDCs NIOSH. Workers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health affected by the layoffs last spring received emails yesterday that their reduction-in-force notices have been revoked.
- EHSleaders (May 20, 2026): Understanding NIOSH’s total worker health approach. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Total Worker Health® (TWH) approach is a holistic model that considers workers’ well-being alongside occupational safety and health. It maintains a focus on protecting worker safety and health while recognizing the role of work in their overall health. NIOSH describes the approach as a “mix of interventions, policy changes, and practices” for safety, health, and well-being.
- Oncology nursing (Dec 1, 2025): Should I still worry about hazardous drugs as an oncology nurse? With evolving standards for handling hazardous drugs, nurses must comply with safety and handling guidelines.
- CDC.gov (Apr 28, 2026): Firefighter cancer concerns. NFR for Cancer Newsletter. The NIOSH National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer is the largest effort ever undertaken to understand and reduce risk of cancer among U.S. firefighters. The newsletter delivers the latest news on the NIOSH NFR for Cancer.
- CDC.gov (April 23, 2026): CDC data show weekly ER visits for tick bites up. Visits to emergency rooms for tick bites are higher than normal in many parts of the country right now, according to CDC’s Tick Bite Tracker. In all regions except the South Central United States, weekly rates of ER visits for tick bites are the highest for this time of year since 2017. In advance of Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, CDC is urging the public to take steps to protect themselves and their families from tick bites, and the serious diseases they can cause, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome.
- Chicago Sun Times (Feb 12, 2026): Judge blocks trump cuts to HIV, lead poisoning prevention funds. U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah, who issued the order, said the attorneys general were “likely to succeed” in their argument because President Donald Trump administration’s cuts were based on “arbitrary, capricious or unconstitutional” reasons.
- SCtimes.com (May 14, 2026): Risk of Hantavirus spread low, CDC says as passengers are monitored. The CDC says the risk of hantavirus to the general public remains low despite an outbreak on a cruise ship. The monitoring period for hantavirus is 42 days due to its long incubation period. Officials are working with state and local partners to monitor anyone who may have been exposed.
- EEnews.com (Feb 20, 2026): Trump spares power plants from mercury emissions clampdown. The Trump administration is reopening a loophole to allow more mercury emissions from some coal-fired power plants, provoking swift denunciations from public health advocates who said the rollback will leave children at further risk of exposure to the brain-damaging element. As part of a repeal of Biden-era regulations unveiled Friday, EPA will continue to allow plants that burn lignite, a low-grade type of coal, to release mercury at a rate more than three times that of other coal-fueled generating operations. The reversal is part of President Donald Trump’s push to save the long-struggling coal industry, in part by peeling back regulatory pollution limits and propping up aging coal-fired power plants.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (June 26, 2026): CDC issues guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers treating patients with Ebola. Donning and Doffing PPE During Management of Patients with Selected VHF in U.S. Hospitals. For current 2026 Ebola outbreak information, visit: CDC Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation. OSHA’s PPE Selection Matrix for Occupational Exposure to Ebola Virus provides task-based guidance to help employers select appropriate PPE for workers who may be exposed to ebolavirus, including healthcare workers evaluating individuals with suspected EVD, caring for hospitalized patients, transporting individuals with suspected or confirmed EVD, and performing cleaning and waste handling tasks where ebolavirus contamination may be present. The World Health Organization issued Personal protective equipment for Ebola. Including infection prevention and control measures include, among other measures: hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and waste management materials.
- The Guardian (June 26, 2026): European heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists say. Study also finds high humidity means people in hundreds of cities are enduring their worst-ever heat stress
- BBC (July 16, 2026): Canada fires prompt US air quality alerts as smoke blankets major cities. More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, with air quality alerts now extending south into multiple US states. A thick blanket of smoke clouded skylines from Detroit and Toronto to New York and across New England, causing “hazardous” air quality alerts across much of the region. Many outdoor events were canceled as officials urged people to stay indoors, stressing the dangerous health ramifications of inhaling the fumes. Hazardous air quality alerts have been issued for cities including Chicago and Grand Rapids, Michigan; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Toledo, Ohio, according to the US Air Quality Index program.
Illinois
- Chicago Sun-Times (July 16, 2026): ‘Hazardous’ Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Chicago. Here’s what you should know. The hazy smoke, which also carries a strong smell, has moved in from Canada. The alert is in effect through midnight Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
- Chicago construction news (June 15th, 2026): Illinois construction fatalities on the rise 7.6% in 2024 as falls remain the leading cause of death. Construction fatality statistics rose in Illinois in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fact-finding agency recorded 156 deaths, which marked a 7.6% increase from the previous year’s 145 fatalities. The fatal work injury rate also escalated to 2.7 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers from 2023’s 2.5. Falls, slips, and trips accounted for 19% of the deaths.
- CBS News (May 22nd, 2026): OSHA investigating death of construction worker after fall from roof. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a worker at a construction site in northwest suburban Palatine, Illinois. Palatine police said officers and paramedics were called to the 400 block of W. Mahogany Ct. just after 3:45 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a construction worker who had fallen off a roof. The first responders found a man unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Findarticles.com (March 6th, 2026): OSHA investigates fatality at Rivian warehouse. Federal workplace-safety regulators have opened an investigation into a fatal incident at a Rivian-operated warehouse near the company’s vehicle assembly plant in Normal, Illinois. Local authorities identified the victim as 61-year-old Kevin Lancaster, who suffered fatal injuries after being pinned between a tractor-trailer and a loading dock. Police and the county coroner’s office are conducting parallel inquiries, and OSHA has launched its own inspection, a standard response to any workplace death.
- CDLLIFE (April 3rd, 2026): OSHA investigates death after attempt to load spool with crane. Federal authorities are investigating a fatal workplace accident that took place at a facility in Illinois this week. At noon on March 31, 2026, the Carol Stream Police Department (CSPD) responded to S & S International located in Carol Stream, Illinois, for a reported work place accident. Police said that a 55 year old male employee attempted to load a “large metal spool” onto a flatbed truck with an overhead crane.
- WGLT.org (February 25th, 2026): OSHA inspection found violations at grain bin led to injury.Alliance Grain Co., a Central Illinois owner and operator of grain bins and silos, was found to have violated safety standards, endangering workers and violating federal law. The company was issued several citations, with penalties totaling $276,407. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] opened in inspection into the grain company after reports of a seasonal laborer who suffered an injury. The worker stepped through an unguarded sump hole and onto a moving paddle style unloading conveyor. OSHA said Alliance failed to properly guard and lockout/tagout dangerous machinery during grain bin entry.
- AOL.com (June 25th, 2026): New testing rule to protect Illinois kids from lead poisoning. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced a new rule on Thursday to help protect children across Illinois from lead poisoning. Starting July 1, the Childhood Lead Program will enforce universal blood lead testing, according to an IDPH news release. Under the old rules, testing was required only for children in high-risk areas. Under the new rules, children in Illinois will automatically be tested at 12 and 24 months. Children who are six years old and younger will also be assessed for lead poisoning through a questionnaire.
Indiana
- IndyStar (July 9th, 2026): Stray bullets escape gun range at Indiana Law enforcement academy.
- Indianapolis Recorder (June 10th, 2026): EPA announces grant to reduce lead in water in Indiana. Funding will suppo rt lead pipe identification and replacement across the state. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $128,637,000 to Indiana to help reduce exposure to lead in drinking water through the identification, planning and replacement of lead service lines.
- WSBT (March 28th, 2026): Volunteers work to prevent lead poisoning in South Bend. According to officials, deteriorating lead-based paint can contaminate soil, creating longterm environmental and health risks, especially for children. Mulching exposed soil helps reduce lead exposure.
- WFYI (April 29, 2026): Indiana embraces marijuana with more than $1B sales, study finds. Indiana has some of the most stringent laws on cannabis in the country, but despite that, use among adults has consistently increased over the past decade. That is according to a new report from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, which partnered with the think tank, the RAND Corporation for the analysis. It examines Indiana’s current landscape and potential policy considerations related to cannabis. Even though marijuana use is largely illegal in Indiana, Hoosiers likely spend anywhere between $1.2 and $2.6 billion annually on cannabis products, according to the report.
Iowa
- First Alert 6 (March 30, 2026): Man killed in fuel tank explosion at Iowa salvage yard. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has named the employee who died in an explosion at an Iowa salvage yard last Tuesday. In a release sent Monday, the man was identified as Blaine N. Schoening, age 66, of Council Bluffs. The explosion happened at J-Dog Salvage yard in Bartlett, Iowa at about noon on March 24.
- The Rock Island Argus (July 7, 2026): American water replacing lead service lines. Iowa American Water wants to know what your water service line is made of. The water utility, which serves the Iowa Quad-Cities and Clinton, is asking the public for help in identifying lead service lines to comply with federal rules to replace lead and unidentified service lines.
- The Gazette Iowa (April 11, 2026): 1/3 of Cedar Rapids water exceeds lead guidelines. But the city’s water meets federal requirements
- Des Moines Register (April 1, 2026): Iowa ammunition plant reopens with plan for managing hazards. The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant was temporarily closed in March due to safety concerns over stockpiled lead azide. This highly explosive material will now be stored in secure, earth-covered magazines at the facility. The plant has received an emergency permit from the EPA to manage the lead azide as hazardous waste.
- Inside Climate News (March 25, 2026): Iowa’s cancer crisis linked to pesticides, PFAS, fertilizer, Radon. The state is one of a handful where cancer diagnoses are on the rise.
- We are Iowa (February 9, 2026): Officer sues city alleging lead poisoning at police academy. Sgt. Jennifer Grose is suing the city of Des Moines and Kirk Robinson, the facilities operation manager, for negligence and violating the Iowa Code.
Kansas
- Fox4 KC (May 6th, 2026): OSHA says KC worker wrongfully suspended for reporting train crash. A U.S. Department of Labor whistleblower investigation has found that a railroad company wrongfully suspended an employee for reporting a train collision and safety concerns, in violation of the Federal Railroad Safety Act. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated a complaint filed by a Kansas City-based employee of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC). The employee reported to the Federal Railroad Administration a minor train collision that occurred at the railroad company’s Knoche Yard on Aug. 11, 2024.
- KSHB KC (March 3rd, 2026): OSHA fines company for death in trench collapse. Safety regulators fined a company for violations in a deadly trench collapse last year in Kansas City, Kansas. Around 2 p.m. on July 24, 2025, rescue crews from the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department raced to a worksite in the area of South 16th Street and Metropolitan Avenue. Reports indicated a worker was trapped in a trench being dug to lay fiber optic cables.
- Firerescue1.com (April 17th, 2026): NIOSH investigation on firefighter injury in abandoned structure fire. A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries
- KCUR NPR (March 5th, 2026): Buying water from kiosks may come with lead. Many Midwest residents distrust their tap water. Some purchase water and ice from standalone kiosks. University of Iowa researchers found at least trace levels of lead in most of these kiosks.
Minnesota
- Minnesota Public Radio (July 16, 2026): Dangerous wildfire smoke, record poor air quality choke Minnesota. Air quality alert continues through Friday. Wildfire smoke has once again become the dominant weather story across Minnesota, with air quality rapidly deteriorating to dangerous levels across much of the state. Smoke from large wildfires in northeastern Minnesota and southern Canada has settled in, sending fine particle concentrations soaring and pushing many locations into the highest categories on the air quality index.
- Southernminn.com (July 9th, 2026): Minnesota employers hit with 1,118 OSHA violations. Millions of U.S. workers handle, store, or work near hazardous chemicals every day—from cleaning solvents and industrial adhesives to flammable gases and corrosive substances. Without proper training, clear labeling, and accessible safety data sheets, employees may not fully understand the health risks they face, including respiratory illness, chemical burns, or fire and explosion hazards. Federal regulators and occupational health experts widely view hazard communication as a foundational component of workplace safety because it determines whether workers have the information needed to protect themselves.
- CBS News (May 20th, 2026): Minnesota to receive EPA grant for lead pipe replacement. Minnesota will receive more than $57 million in federal funds to protect the state’s drinking water from lead exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday. A total of $57,770,000 will go directly to Minnesota through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The money will go toward finding and replacing lead pipes that deliver water to homes, also known as service lines.
- MPR News (January 28th, 2026): Tear gas causes health concerns for Twin Cities residents. Clouds of smoke and gas billowed in south Minneapolis on Saturday, as federal and state law enforcement launched round after round of chemical irritants into a crowd of protesters and observers. They had gathered on Nicollet Avenue after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti. Most in the crowd were there to peacefully chant and stand watch, but all felt the effects of the irritants. The tear gas sent protesters running, many gasping for breath. Some collapsed and yelled for medics. It also seeped into nearby homes and businesses — meaning those residents, workers and customers were exposed to it, even if they weren’t protesting.
Missouri
- Harris Young Kayser (March 9th, 2026): Missouri Workers Compensation Update. There are currently 2 bills pending in the Missouri Legislature that would have a dramatic impact on how workers compensation claims is Missouri are defended: SB 1052 — Establishing a Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Schedule; HCS HB 2375 — Comprehensive Amendments to Chapter 287
- KOMU (July 7th, 2026): Nurses speak out on workplace violence. Nurses across Missouri are calling attention to a growing concern inside hospitals and health care facilities: workplace violence. Health care workers told KOMU 8 violence against nurses can happen during routine shifts, often while they are caring for patients or trying to de-escalate stressful situations. Many nurses said the issue is not just about safety, but also the emotional toll that comes with showing up to work when unsure of what could happen.
- Courthouse News Service (July 9th, 2026): Food plant worker wins appeal for exposure. A former food plant worker said he developed bronchiolitis obliterans, a debilitating condition that reduces lung function, after working with chemicals he said the company knew were dangerous.
- KSHB (March 6th, 2026): NIOSH says no increased cancer rate at elementary school. A federal agency has completed its review of cancer cases among staff and employees at an elementary school in Liberty, finding no evidence of an unusual pattern of cancer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released findings last month addressing cancer concerns among employees at Warren Hills Elementary School in Liberty, Missouri.
- KSHB (march 3rd, 2026): OSHA issues citation after building collapse. Family Dollar paid a fine of more than $11,000 to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration last month in connection with July 2025’s deadly building collapse at its Midtown Kansas City, Missouri, location.
- Ozarks First (March 24th, 2026): OSHA completes investigation after fatal water main break. OSHA has completed its investigation into a fatal water main break from August 2025. Last year, as Emery Sapp & Sons workers were doing construction work in downtown Branson, a water main broke.One worker was injured and another, Jacob Seiler III, died from injuries he sustained while trying to save others in the water break.
- Fox2Now St. Louis (February 4th, 2026): Perryville cereal plant fined $91K, cited for 10 violations after worker’s death. A Perryville, Missouri cereal plant has been fined $91,000 and cited for 10 workplace safety violations following the death of a worker inside an industrial oven last year, according to OSHA records. Authorities say a 38-year-old man, Nicolas Lopez Gomez, was found dead on June 26, 2025 at the Gilster-Mary Lee Cereal Plant at 615 Old St. Marys Road. First responders found him trapped inside an industrial oven that was not operating at the time.
- Reuters (June 24th, 2026): Billionaire Rennert-controlled company mine owner settles Peru lead poisoning case. A business controlled by the American billionaire Ira Rennert reached a $150 million settlement in the United States with 1,373 Peruvians who claimed they were poisoned by lead and other toxic substances while growing up near a Peruvian smelter, lawyers for the plaintiffs said on Wednesday. The settlement with Doe Run Resources, part of Rennert’s New York-based holding company Renco Group, was announced in St. Louis federal court on Tuesday, when the first of four so-called bellwether trials in the 19-year-old case was scheduled to begin.
- Fox4News (May 5th, 2026): Federal grant aids KC in lead hazard cleanup. Robin Humphrey lives a block away from a vacant lot in the Washington Wheatly neighborhood where a manufacturing factory stood for decades. It’s been decades since it closed down and demolished, but what remains is the lead in the soil.
- The Beacon News KC (February 16th, 2026): KCs hunt for lead pipes is on. The water department is preparing for in-person inspections of water lines, starting in two northeast neighborhoods this spring. Lead pipes and some galvanized pipes have to be replaced.
- KOMU (January 30th, 2026): Stephens College students concerned about carbon monoxide exposure. Stephens College is conducting proactive carbon monoxide readings in every campus building following the evacuation of two residence halls Wednesday night due to dangerous levels of the toxic gas, according to a Friday update from the college.
Nebraska
- Woodworking network (April 5th, 2026): OSHA reveals lack of safety controls in deadly saw dust explosion. Private employers and certain public employers in Nebraska are no longer required to have workplace safety committees, under a recently enacted law.
- Safety and Health (March 2nd, 2026): New Nebraska law ends safety committee mandate. Private employers and certain public employers in Nebraska are no longer required to have workplace safety committees, under a recently enacted law.
- The New York Times (December 19th, 2026): Mysterious death of teen at hog farm. A 17-year-old worker died at a pork producer in Nebraska run by the governor’s family. Two investigations later, the boy’s mother is still searching for answers.
- Propublica (April 16th, 2026): Lead contamination in Omaha. For more than a century, factories spewed toxic dust across the city, contaminating the soil and causing lead poisoning. We talked to experts about how to stay safe from lead exposure.
- KIII TV (June 1st, 2026): 8 taken to hospital after chlorine gas exposure at waterpark. The chlorine gas was caused by an “atypical” incident during routine maintenance, officials said.
- Nebraska Medicine (May 8th, 2026): UNMC asked to monitor cruise ship hantavirus outbreak. Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have been asked by federal partners to receive and monitor U.S. citizens from the cruise ship associated with a hantavirus outbreak. These individuals will be observed in the National Quarantine Unit, located on the campus of Nebraska Medical Center and UNMC. Nebraska Medicine and UNMC are working closely with the Douglas County Health Department, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and federal health partners to coordinate the effort. The National Quarantine Unit is the only federally funded quarantine unit in the United States, designed specifically to safely house and monitor people who may have been exposed to high-consequence infectious diseases.
- KMTV3 (May 4th, 2026): Drive thru gives out free radon, lead and water tests. Three Rivers Public Health Department in Fremont is offering free colon cancer screening, radon and well water testing kits to residents — and they are available every day, not just at special events.
- Flat water free press (April 15th, 2026): Omaha has massive superfund site, no testing for kids. For more than a century, a smelter and other factories spewed 400 million pounds of lead dust across the city’s east side. Faced with similar concerns, 13 states passed laws requiring all kids to get a blood test before kindergarten. But not Nebraska.
North Dakota
- Valley News Live (June 27th, 2026): ND to receive federal grants to upgrade drinking water infrastructure. North Dakota and Minnesota are set to receive federal grant funding to improve drinking water systems in small and rural communities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced.
- Insurance Business Mag (April 9th, 2026): 8th circuit rules pollution exclusion bars CO injury claims. A portable heater in a North Dakota farm shop just triggered one of insurance’s most debated clauses. The Eighth Circuit has sided with an insurer, ruling that a pollution exclusion clause bars coverage for carbon monoxide injuries from a portable heater.
- Valley News Live (March 5th, 2026): NDSU researchers discover method to combat forever chemicals. PFAS are widely used in products such as cookware.
South Dakota
- Dakota News Now (April 7th, 2026): Dept. of labor files suit over wrongfully fired injured employee. The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a South Dakota construction company contractor for the alleged wrongful termination of an employee who reported a “severe” work-related injury. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that a Valley Springs construction employee received second- and third-degree burns from scalding water in a pressurized pipe.
- Yahoonews (March 6th, 2026): OSHA confirms death at truck service in Sioux Falls. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has confirmed it is investigating a workplace death in Sioux Falls. The administration said it happened at Truck and Trailer on Cliff Avenue center on March 4.
Wisconsin
- TLI Magazine (June 23rd, 2026): Warehouses need proper storage solutions to prevent OSHA violations. OSHA penalized Wisconsin warehouses $516,000 for collectively committing hundreds of violations, reflecting the federal agency’s intensified enforcement focus on industrial facilities. The escalating risk requires warehouse operators to address common citation patterns and adopt proper storage solutions that prevent both financial losses and reputational damage. As OSHA continues to prioritize these high-risk environments, proactive facility design has become essential to avoid costly penalties.
- Fox11news (June 3rd, 2026): OSHA fines TYCO fire products over death investigation. OSHA issued a $16,550 fine to Tyco Fire Products for a safety violation related to the October death of a worker.
- Fox11news (April 28th, 2026): Workers memorial day, pressing for safer jobs.The Green Bay community commemorated Workers Memorial Day Tuesday by honoring lives lost and demanding safer job conditions.
- 620WTMJ (April 27th, 2026): Jury awards $5.5M in forklift injury lawsuit. In one of the largest known forklift-injury verdicts in Wisconsin, a jury awarded $5.5 million to a truck driver who was injured at a Menards distribution center in 2019.
- Fox6Milwaukee (April 13th, 2026): Barn roof collapse, 3 rescued, 7 injured. Three people had to be rescued from a Mequon barn after its roof collapsed on Monday. The incident happened on County Line Road near Columbia Drive. In total, seven people were taken to the hospital.
- Petfoodindustry.com (March 23rd, 2026): OSHA investigates 2nd explosion at NaturPak pet food plant. OSHA is investigating two equipment-related explosions at a Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S., co-manufacturing facility after managers provided “minimal cooperation” with local authorities.
- MilwaukeeNNS (June 24th, 2026): Wisconsins lead pipe count is falling. In one of the largest known forklift-injury verdicts in Wisconsin, a jury awarded $5.5 million to a truck driver who was injured at a Menards distribution center in 2019.
- WPR.org (March 27th, 2026): Wisonsin gas plants could lead to premature deaths, air pollution. Air pollution from two proposed natural gas plants in southeast Wisconsin could contribute to more than 100 premature deaths over the projects’ estimated 30-year lifespan and lead to higher air pollution exposure across the Upper Midwest. That’s according to a recent whitepaper from researchers with the Climate Solutions for Health Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Visual briefing
OEM Images of the Month
Tuapse Oil Spill and Refinery Fires: Beginning in April 2026, a prolonged environmental disaster unfolded in the Russian port city of Tuapse. Ukrainian drone strikes severely damaged a major Russian oil refinery, leading to massive fires, black rain, and a significant oil spill in the Black Sea. The attack caused at least one confirmed death and multiple injuries. Significant damage was reported to port infrastructure, oil storage facilities, and nearby civilian buildings. The refinery suspended operations indefinitely, disrupting oil exports and logistics in the region. The fires released hazardous substances into the atmosphere, including benzene and xylene, leading to severe air pollution around Tuapse. Authorities advised residents to remain indoors due to toxic conditions. Rainfall mixed with combustion byproducts created a phenomenon described as “black rain,” depositing oily residue and soot across the city and surrounding areas. Satellite and environmental monitoring indicated the formation of an oil slick in the Black Sea near Tuapse, raising concerns about marine pollution and ecological damage. Source: Wikipedia
Extreme Heat Waves and Wildfire Season: A series of unprecedented heat domes smothered the Northern Hemisphere, bringing temperatures over 40° C to Southern Europe and shattering records in the U.S.. These heatwaves fueled massive, early-season wildfires that destroyed millions of hectares globally by mid-year. In a U.S. city like Phoenix, Arizona, those same numbers are nothing extraordinary. So why is the impact and potential danger so much higher in Europe? It’s estimated that 175,000 people die from heat-related causes in Europe, the highest of any region, according to a 2024 report from the World Health Organization, and it essentially comes down to how Europeans live, build and cool down – or can’t cool down. Almost no air-conditioning. “We don’t have anywhere near as much air conditioning (as the U.S.), certainly in homes,” explained Chris Almond, a Weather Company senior meteorologist in the UK. It’s estimated that 90% of homes in the United States have AC, compared to about 19% across Europe. Almond notes that in the UK, AC becomes a need around 24-25°C (75-76°F) and Europe’s average summer highs have historically stayed just below that line, but climate change is now pushing temperatures over that threshold. Adapted from: The Weather Channel (July 8, 2026): Same heat, different danger: Heat Americans barely notice can be deadly in Europe.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is seen in downtown Chicago. ABC News Chicago (July 16, 2026): Chicago ranks as worst air quality for major cities worldwide, wildfire smoke impacts outdoor events. Air Quality Index map shows hazardous levels in parts of Chicago area. Chicago Tribune (July 16, 2026): Cook County shatters air quality record, EPA data shows, as dangerous wildfire smoke envelops region. As wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota settled over northern Illinois on Thursday, the presence of a major pollutant quadrupled the previous record set for air quality in Cook County, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By late afternoon, hazardous concentrations of PM2.5 in the North Shore suburbs reached an index above 900 on a scale that tops out at 500, according to AirNow, a website that combines data from county, state and federal air quality agencies nationwide. In Chicago, levels of PM2.5 jumped to 669 on Thursday night. Cook County’s previous record for PM2.5 was 223 on June 27, 2023, according to data from the EPA. Representatives from the EPA could not be reached to explain the health repercussions of numbers that exceed the scale.
Long-form reading
Special Articles
Analysis
Occupational and Environmental Medicine in 2026: Five Hot Topics Reshaping OEM Practice
By William Wong, MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM
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.
Five topics stand out: 1) AI-enabled worker surveillance, 2) climate-related heat stress, 3) new toxicants associated with lithium-ion battery systems, 4) psychosocial strain from long and irregular work hours, and 5) the growing occupational health needs of gig and other precarious workers.
First, AI is moving from theory into operations. Recent conference proceedings and journal discussions describe AI-based surveillance systems that analyze fatigue, ergonomic risk, and other workplace indicators to identify hazards earlier than traditional reporting systems can. For OEM clinicians, this raises a dual challenge. Predictive analytics may improve prevention and fitness-for-duty assessments, but they also introduce concerns about worker privacy, informed consent, data ownership, and algorithmic bias. The central question is no longer whether AI will enter occupational health, but how clinicians will ensure that these tools remain clinically valid, ethical, and worker-centered.
Second, climate change is now an OEM issue in practical, not abstract, terms. Technical guidance from the World Health Organization and related reports emphasizes that rising global temperatures and more frequent heat events are already affecting worker health and productivity. Heat stress has been linked to dehydration, cardiovascular strain, kidney injury, and reduced work capacity, especially among outdoor workers and those in poorly ventilated indoor settings. As a result, heat action planning, acclimatization protocols, hydration strategies, and environmental monitoring are becoming core elements of occupational health programs rather than seasonal add-ons.
Third, the green economy is generating new toxicologic questions. Lithium-ion battery manufacturing, storage, transport, and recycling create exposure scenarios involving lithium hydroxide dust, cathode materials, and decomposition products released during battery failure. Recent reports describe respiratory and dermatologic disease in workers handling these materials, underscoring the need for updated hazard communication, respiratory protection, and emergency decontamination planning. OEM clinicians should recognize that decarbonization does not eliminate chemical risk; it redistributes it into new industrial contexts.
Fourth, psychosocial risk remains a defining clinical and organizational issue. Current literature continues to associate long work hours, shift work, and work intrusions into off-duty time with sleep disturbance, metabolic dysfunction, burnout, and reduced satisfaction with the work environment. These are not simply wellness concerns. They are occupational exposures that can be measured, managed, and prevented through scheduling reform, fatigue risk management, and better integration of mental health into worker surveillance.
Finally, OEM is being challenged to reach workers outside traditional employer-based systems. Conference materials in 2026 emphasize that gig workers, informal workers, and others in precarious employment frequently experience heat exposure, long hours, traffic risk, and limited access to occupational health protections. This shift calls for broader models of surveillance, prevention, and policy engagement. For OEM clinicians, the future of practice may depend as much on adaptability across employment structures as on expertise in any single hazard domain.
References
1. OEMJI Editorial Office. Occupational medicine without borders: emerging risks, evolving workforces, and inclusive collaboration. Occup Environ Med J Indones. 2026;4(1)(suppl issue). Accessed July 13, 2026. https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/oemji/vol4/iss1/1/
2. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Journal homepage. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://aoemj.org/
3. University of California, Berkeley Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. New and old hazards on-the-job. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/oecm
4. University of California, San Francisco Occupational, Environmental and Climate Medicine. Continuing medical education. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://oecm.ucsf.edu/grand-rounds-and-other-education/continuing-medical-education
5. National Association for Environmental Management. Trends in EHS and sustainability to watch in 2026. Published 2026. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.naem.org/docs/default-source/research/naem-2026-research-2026-trends-in-environmental-health-safety-and-sustainability.pdf
6. World Meteorological Organization, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization. Climate change and workplace heat stress. Published 2025. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://wmo.int/resources/publication-series/climate-change-and-workplace-heat-stress/climate-change-and-workplace-heat-stress
7. World Health Organization. Climate change and workplace heat stress: technical report. Published 2025. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240099814
8. Kjellstrom T, Lemke B, Otto M. Climate change and workplace heat stress. Ind Health. Published online December 23, 2025. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12804399/
9. The impacts of climate change on occupational health and work productivity: a systematic literature review. Published online February 5, 2026. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12880655/
10. Georgia Manufacturing Systems Training Center. Lithium ion battery fact sheet. Published January 2025. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.gmstc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Li-ion_Battery_Fact_Sheet_rev_2a.pdf
11. Prevor. Lithium-ion batteries: why and when do they pose a risk of chemical hazards? Published February 12, 2023. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.prevor.com/en/li-ion-batteries-chemical-hazard-inside-our-cars/
Perspective
Why Med Students Should Consider This Little-Known Specialty
By Ted Kim, MD; Doximity Op-Med Fellow 2025-2026
When I first learned I would be matriculating to a medical school, I envisioned myself becoming an excellent clinician who would catch details like no other. I looked forward to the day I would be recognized as a master diagnostician.
Yet as I began my studies, I found a clear limitation in what one doctor can accomplish. Seeing patients and attending to their chief concerns had a profound impact on me and felt rewarding. However, much of what I faced in the clinical environment was repetitive and redundant — dealing with the aftermath of issues or conditions that should have been prevented long ago. Many patients visited our clinic due to avoidable chronic illnesses, and I could not help but ruminate on early screening and lifestyle modifications that should have started years prior.
As I thought more about how to expand the impact of my work, I realized that revamping the healthcare system was the ultimate answer. The clinical environment needed to change, protocols and practices that should have been formalized and updated needed to change, and insurance and laws needed to change. In other words, every level of our healthcare system seemed to need some fixing. These frustrations ultimately shifted my focus away from my initial goal of becoming a “master diagnostician” and toward a career in prevention and systemic interventions.
Lo and behold, in my third year of medical school, I came across a specialty I had never heard of: occupational and environmental medicine (OEM). I happened to attend the Suffolk Medical Society Symposium at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on Long Island, and Dr. John Clarke, then Occupational Medicine Director and CMO of BNL, gave an hour-long talk about his job and introduced the specialty to the audience.
I was captivated as soon as I heard about the unique aspects of OEM. Physicians in OEM specifically worked in the public health domain within companies, institutions, and governmental agencies, and focused on establishing safe working environments for those at risk. For example, Dr. Clarke managed BNL, which is a federal research facility that included a nuclear reactor, a particle accelerator, multiple sources of hazardous chemicals, and radiation exposure. His job as a clinician was to treat injured researchers and staff on-site and to prevent foreseeable medical issues arising from the nature of the work being done in the laboratories.
What Dr. Clarke described was exactly what I wanted. The unique work environments and the population he served stirred something in me, as I kept thinking about how powerful it is to enable those who want to be productive at work and to ensure their safety. My mission to maximize the influence of my work and bring about the greatest benefits to the masses aligned well with OEM. Thus, the direction of serving the American workforce was going to be an answer to my long quandary of my best fit in medicine.
With my interest piqued, I looked for more information and followed updates to see if medical students would be able to apply directly into the specialty. Historically, preventive medicine (PM) and its subspecialties, including OEM and aerospace medicine, were not part of the NRMP and required applicants to be at least PGY1. However, the situation has changed as the specialties under the PM umbrella began participating in the Match starting in 2025.
The difficulty I faced as a medical student in deciding whether to apply for the specialty was accentuated by an overall lack of Match data, rotations offered, and depth of information on residency programs. I realized most of the attending physicians I have worked with have not heard of the specialty, and the few that did know about OEM only did because they had a rare opportunity to either refer patients to or work with occupational doctors within a limited scope. Finding the information I needed realistically could only be done by interacting with individual programs, as few details were readily available online.
Yet I realized I was more fortunate because my school at least offered an outpatient elective rotation in occupational medicine, and I could find a mentor who was board-certified in OEM. Since most academic institutions lack residency programs and physicians are boarded in OEM, I realized many applicants will not have the same opportunities or resources as I do. I later learned that seeking away rotations would involve either applying through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) process or contacting individual programs directly.
Despite the barrier to entry to the field, I have enjoyed the process of discovering what a gem OEM is. Learning more about the field and the people by attending the American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC) last year gave me a clearer sense of how I fit into it. Of note, the residents I encountered at the conference were the happiest and most relaxed bunch I have interacted with.
The only concern I have about the field is that it faces a major funding crisis. Most residency programs are funded by CMS, yet OEM programs are not. Traditionally, OEM residency has been funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and supported by local and private organizations. With that said, programs have had difficulty securing sufficient funding to support new residents. In fact, during the first Match in 2025, many OEM programs withdrew from the Match, and only five spots were open to medical students for “advanced position.”
So what is the verdict? The funding situation and limited residency spots may not be ideal for most medical students, as options are extremely limited. However, OEM remains a relatively unknown field that offers aspects of medicine that most clinicians and medical students are not familiar with. As it also boasts the lowest burnout rates among specialties, OEM is worth considering for those interested in public health, policy, and outpatient clinical work.
As for me, I hope OEM programs remain in the Match and preserve their advanced positions. Finding a career path that aligns with my passion has not been easy, and it will only get harder for future applicants if the field continues to shrink.
What is your familiarity with OEM? Have you engaged with this specialty in your work?
Ted Kim was a fourth-year medical student at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, looking forward to pursuing residency in occupational and environmental medicine. He is an ardent coffee enthusiast, community builder, and massive fan of systems and design thinking. Ted was a 2025–2026 Doximity Op-Med Fellow.
Reprinted with permission of the author from Doximity. Op-Med is a collection of original essays contributed by Doximity members. The link to the original article by Dr. Ted Kim is found here.
Save the date
Seminars & Events
September 11, 2026 · Online
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 for this event.
March 11–13, 2027 · Madison, Wisconsin
103rd Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar
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
| CSOEMA 2026 Fall Virtual Seminar (Register Here) | Online | September 11, 2026 |
| Chicago Occupational & Environmental Medical Society (COEMS) (Save the Date) | Chicago, IL | October 10, 2026 |
| ACOEM 2026 Virtual Fall Summit (Register Here) | Online | November 4-6, 2026 |
| 103rd Annual CSOEMA Spring Seminar (Register Here) | Madison, WI | March 11-13, 2027 |
Conference recap
AOHC 2026
This April, we had a fantastic time attending the American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC) in Chicago. It was a great opportunity to step away from our day-to-day work and reconnect with the broader occupational health community.
Throughout the conference, we participated in engaging continuing education sessions and explored current topics shaping our field. Just as meaningful were the conversations in between—catching up with familiar colleagues, meeting new faces, and exchanging ideas that will continue to influence our work moving forward.
A highlight of the conference was the chance to attend local work-site visits. Work site visits provide a valuable chance to see occupational health in practice. They help deepen our understanding of workplace hazards, safety measures, and real-world challenges, while strengthening risk assessment skills. These experiences also encouraged meaningful conversations with peers and professionals, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in protecting worker health.
The photos below captured some of these moments—time spent learning, connecting, and strengthening professional relationships. We’re grateful for the experience and look forward to carrying these insights and connections into our continued work in occupational medicine.
Policy and clinical work
Advocacy & Practice
OEM Advocacy Spotlight
ACOEM Leaders Educate and Advocate in Capitol Hill Meetings
On March 5, ACOEM leadership, including President Dr. Laura Gillis, President-elect Dr. Jill Rosenthal, ACOEM Past President and current Chair of the Council on Government Affairs (COGA) Dr. Bob Bourgeois, and COGA Vice Chair Dr. Judith McKenzie, participated in Capitol Hill meetings to share the importance of maintaining stable funding for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) programs that support Occupational & Environmental Medicine (OEM) Residency programs. Read the ACOEM press release here.
Dr. Jill Rosenthal installed as 2026-2027 ACOEM President
Jill Rosenthal, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., FACOEM, is the newly appointed president of ACOEM for 2026-2027. She serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at The Zenith Insurance Company and holds extensive experience in occupational medicine across corporate, clinical, and public sector roles. She trained at Duke University and the University of Illinois, is board certified in Occupational Medicine, and has held leadership and advisory positions with organizations including General Motors, Concentra, Johnson & Johnson, and Federal Occupational Health. In addition to serving on ACOEM’s Board and teaching as an affiliate faculty member, she is currently pursuing a business degree at Duke and is a mother of four. Read Dr. Rosenthal’s 2026-7 Incoming Presidential Speech delivered in April 2026 at AOHC here.
ACOEM Names Andrew J. Prazuch, CAE, as New Executive Director
05/18/2026 – An accomplished association executive with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare, legal, and higher education sectors, Andrew J. Prazuch, CAE will lead ACOEM’s strategic initiatives, membership growth, and operational excellence as Executive Director. Read more about Andrew’s background and vision for ACOEM here.
Learn more about what ACOEM is doing for YOU and OUR PROFESSION. Check out the following ACOEM websites for more information:
Clinical Practice Highlights
New guidance and practical resources
- ACOEM and ACLM Release New Guide to Bring Lifestyle Medicine into the Workplace (06/15/2026). The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) today 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. Read more about this project here.
- 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.
Evidence watch
OEM Research Rounds
Artificial intelligence and regional unemployment risk
- How will artificial intelligence (AI) affect unemployment rates? The answer will vary depending on regional differences in occupation and industry—with urban technology hubs likely to see the greatest impact, reports a study from Taiwan in the June issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Chen Y-C, Liu Y-H, Li VC-S, et al. Artificial Intelligence and Heterogeneous Unemployment Risk Across Regions: Scenario-Based Projections of Alternative Policy Responses in Taiwan Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 2026;68(6):455-464. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003681
Chemical exposures after the East Palestine train derailment
- A 2023 freight train derailment in Ohio caused exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and physical and mental health symptoms in a large majority of residents, according to a community assessment in the April issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Madera-Garcia V, Watkins SM, Dewart CM, et al. Community Assessment of Chemical Exposures After a Train Derailment—East Palestine, Ohio, and Darlington Township, Pennsylvania, February–March 2023 Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 2025;68(4):291-298. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003632
Climate change and occupational asthma
- Climate Change Linked to Rising Impact of Occupational Asthma. A report in the March 2026 JOEM calls for ‘planetary health’ focus on asthma risks. “Asthma is a growing global health challenge, exacerbated by the multifaceted impacts of climate change,” according to the report by J.P.M. van der Valk, MD, PhD, of Franciscus Gasthuis and Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues. They analyze climate-related factors contributing to the rising impact of asthma in occupational and other settings.
van der Valk JPM, Jurgens JE, Veen JCCMI‘, Braunstahl GJ, Bonnema J, Chin-See-Chong TC. Climate Change and Asthma: Work-Related Risks and Planetary Implications Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 2025;68(3):198-202. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003615
People and profession
Members & ACOEM
Member Highlights
- Laura Gillis, MD, MPH, FACOEM, 2025-2026 ACOEM President and CSOEMA Member, concluded her term as President this Spring. Read her 2025-2026 Outgoing Presidential Speech here. Congratulations and Thank You, Laura!
- Many CSOEMA members are profiled on the OEM Profile page of the Association of Occupational Medicine Clinics (AOEC) website including: Zeke McKinney, MD, MPH, MHI, FACOEM; William Buchta, MD, MPH, FACOEM; Laura Gillis, MD, MPH, FACOEM; Melanie Swift, MD, MPH, FACOEM; Romero Santiago, MD, MPH, FACOEM; and Robert Bourgeois, MD, MPH FACOEM and many more! Visit the AOEC website and browse the profiles to learn more about the many different career paths taken that lead towards successful OEM careers.
- New ACOEM Fellows: Congratulations to the CSOEMA members who were inducted as part of the 2026 Class of ACOEM Fellows at AOHC this Spring in Chicago
- Claudia L. Corwin, MD, MPH, FACOEM
- Kim Hargis, MD, MPH, FACOEM
- Erin J Kennedy, MD, MPH, MRO, CIME, FACOEM
- Samuel Ko, MD, MPH, FACOEM
- Steven J. Rippentrop, MD, MPH, MA, MHA, FACOEM
- Russell Tontz III, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Professional Recognition
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.
Preserving our history
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.
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.
Recognition
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 link HERE.
Next generation
Residents & Milestones
Resident’s 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.
Participate and support
Community & Support
CSOEMA Store
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/
Volunteer
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 here. 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.
Give back
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.
Opportunities
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
Organization
Leadership & Editorial Staff
CSOEMA Executive Committee
Malgorzata B. Hasek, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACOEM, President
Maria Starchook-Moore, MD, FACOEM, President-Elect
Christopher Iverson, MD, MBA, MPH, FACOEM, Vice President
Kodjo M. Bossou, MD, MPH, Secretary-Treasurer
Isabel Pereira, DO, MPH, MSA, FACOEM, Immediate Past President
CSOEMA Governors
| Erin Kennedy, MD, MPH, MRO, CIME Kodjo Bossou, MD, MPH | Governors at Large: 2023-2026 |
| John Petrisko, MD Kim Hargis, MD, MPH, FACOEM | Governors at Large: 2024-2027 |
| Rachel Thies, MD, MPH, MHA, FACOEM Jeffrey Westpheling, MD, MPH | Governors at Large: 2025-2028 |
| Kristin Houseknecht, MD (IL) Christopher Smelser, DO, MPH, FACOEM (IN) | State Governors: 2023-2026 |
| Matthew Klick, DO, MPH (MO) Jui Haker, MD (WI) | State Governors: 2024-2027 |
| Sarah Bronner, MD, MPH (MN) Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH, FACOEM (IA) | State Governors: 2025-2028 |
| Prapti Kuber, MD, MBA (Health Partners) Ivy Obonyo, MD (UIC) | Resident Governors: 2025-2026 |
CSOEMA Connection Editorial Staff
William Wong, MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM, Editor-in-Chief
Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Editor
Christopher Iverson, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Editor
Matthew Klick, DO, MPH, Editor
The CSOEMA Connection newsletter is the collaborative effort of CSOEMA members. It is a way for us to celebrate our members’ 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 editor@csoema.org, or contact Susan Rittenhouse, CSOEMA Executive Director, at susan@csoema.org.
CSOEMA Connection is a collaborative publication of CSOEMA members.
Contributions, questions, and comments: editor@csoema.org · Executive Director: susan@csoema.org
