Occupational Medicine

Introduction
Occupational PictureOccupational and Environmental Medicine is a rapidly expanding field which incorporates the principles and practice of clinical and preventive medicine, industrial hygiene, safety engineering, epidemiology and toxicology. Residency-trained occupational medicine physicians have diverse career opportunities in government, academic, industrial and clinical settings.

This program in Occupational and Environmental Medicine has offered an exceptional Resident and Fellowship training opportunity since 1977. Trainees acquire proficiency in clinical occupational medicine, epidemiology, research methods, toxicology, industrial hygiene, injury prevention and management skills. Completion of the residency leads to board eligibility in Occupational Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

The Occupational Medicine training program is based at HealthPartners St. Paul Clinic and is part of the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety, in partnership with the division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. The Midwest Center is an Educational Resource Center (ERC) sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The Midwest Center provides training in occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, industrial hygiene, and injury prevention, as well as having a large Continuing Education program in occupational safety and health for both professionals and workers.

The goal of the residency program is to prepare graduates to fill leadership roles as occupational medicine physicians in industry, government, university and other practice settings. Residents become acquainted during their training with the role of the occupational medicine physician in each of these varied settings and with the roles of other occupational health professionals as well. They learn to work in cooperation with other professionals as part of a team approach to improved worker health and safety.

This unique two year training program offers an integrated academic and practicum experience, which includes protected research time throughout. Completion of the program academic requirements leads to a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree. Each resident is required to complete a research project in order to become fully acquainted with current scientific methodologies that may be of use in future practice or academic endeavors.

Residency/Fellowship Opportunities
In order to be eligible for consideration of admission to the Occupational Medicine Residency/Fellowship Program, candidates must have successfully completed an ACGME approved PGY-1 year (e.g. transitional or internship year) and have successfully completed each of the USMLE or equivalent (Board Part I, II and III) examinations within three attempts and pass Parts I, II, and III examinations within seven years.

Applicants must be either a U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States. Applicants may have already successfully completed advanced training in another medical or surgical specialty; although this is not a prerequisite.

For applicants taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), verification is required that Steps I, II, and III have been passed within a seven-year period which begins when the applicant first passes either step one or two, as applicable. Each of the steps must be passed within three attempts. Applicants from accredited MD/PhD or MD/MPH dual degree programs must have passed each of Steps I, II, and III within three attempts in seven years plus the time taken to obtain the non-MD degree or ten years, whichever occurs first.

For otherwise qualified applicants who provide documentation of a completed MPH degree with appropriate academic focus, we may consider a one year practicum experience in Occupational Medicine. The program may require additional academic coursework or clinical training experience depending on the individual trainee's level of experience and educational needs. In conjunction with the MPH degree, the practicum experience makes the resident board eligible.

For further information on this Residency Program, please contact Paula Geiger, Program Assistant via email at Paula.A.Geiger@HealthPartners.com
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