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OccPod: the official ACOEM podcast

OccPod: the official ACOEM podcast

By ACOEM

Thank you for joining us for OccPod, 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 is delving into additional realms of worker health and safety, including our changing climate. As always, OccPod is grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine. We hope you enjoy!
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OccPod – Episode 44, Military Burn Pit Toxic Exposure

OccPod: the official ACOEM podcastApr 10, 2023

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OccPod – Episode 58, ACOEM's Presidential Line

OccPod – Episode 58, ACOEM's Presidential Line

On this episode of OccPod, Erin and Dr. Nabeel talk with the incoming Presidential Line of ACOEM. We welcome our guests, Drs. Tanisha Taylor, Laura Gillis, and Jill Rosenthal. 

Dr. Tanisha Taylor is Senior Medical Director for RWJBH Employee Health and Wellness, New Jersey. Dr. Taylor received her MD from New York Medical and her MPH from Yale University.

Dr. Taylor is the current President-Elect of ACOEM. She joined the College in 2005, and served as Young Physician Director from 2013 – 2016, after which she was a Director on the Board for several years. She has been active on the American Occupational Health Conference Planning Committees and currently serves on the Council on Governmental Affairs and chairs the Vaccine Workgroup.

Dr. Gillis is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Union Pacific Railroad.  Her previous positions include serving as a US Naval Flight Surgeon, a private practice physician and business owner, the US Federal Maritime Surgeon, and a Medical Director at BNSF Railway. Dr. Gillis is currently ACOEM’s Vice President.  She has held multiple roles in ACOEM, including Chair of the Council on Membership Engagement, Chair of the Transportation Section, and has been member of the ACOEM Board of Directors since 2019.

Dr. Jill Rosenthal is the Chief Medical Officer at Zenith Insurance, a Fairfax Financial Company.  She is also an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida Occupational Medicine Residency Program and the past Chairperson of the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Foundation Board. Dr. Rosenthal has served as the Medical Director for General Motors, Evanston-Northwestern Hospital’s Employee Health Department, and two Johnson and Johnson companies.  She is the current Treasurer and incoming Vice President of ACOEM and chairs ACOEM’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. 

In May, Dr. Taylor will be installed as ACOEM President, Dr. Gillis ascends to President Elect, and Dr. Rosenthal becomes ACOEM’s Vice President. 

Please join us at the 108th American Occupational Health Conference – AOHC – May 19-22, at Lowes Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, FL, where our incoming leaders take office! Learn more about the conference and register today at acoem.org/aohc. 

Mar 25, 202439:23
OccPod – Episode 57, Updates to Respiratory Virus Guidance

OccPod – Episode 57, Updates to Respiratory Virus Guidance

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, ACOEM's official podcast. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss updated guidance from the CDC for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. This coincides with the fourth anniversary of the pandemic's declaration around the globe.

Dr. Nabeel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Siani. He is a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, serves on the ACOEM Board of Directors, and chairs ACOEM's Council on OEM Science. 

Mar 14, 202418:02
OccPod – Episode 56, COVID-19 Updates and Measles Outbreaks

OccPod – Episode 56, COVID-19 Updates and Measles Outbreaks

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Amy Behrman for a conversation about COVID-19 and outbreaks of Measles, and how workers can protect themselves.

Dr. Behrman is the Medical Director of Occupational Medicine Services and Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Behrman serves on the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit which is dedicated to improving vaccine use as recommended by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Mar 07, 202427:02
OccPod – Episode 55, Flood Zone Workers

OccPod – Episode 55, Flood Zone Workers

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, ACOEM's official podcast. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Brett Perkison and Ms. Cynthia Hernandez for a conversation about flood zone workers who respond to climate-related natural disasters.

Ms. Hernandez is the National Training Director for the Resilience Force, an organization that serves as a voice for workers who respond to climate disasters in the United States, many of whom are immigrants. She began her career as a researcher and instructor at Florida International University’s Center for Labor Research & Studies, investigating the intersection of labor and immigration.

Dr. Perkison is an assistant professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, TX, and is the program director for the Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency program in Houston.  He is board certified in both family medicine and occupational and environmental medicine and is a Fellow of ACOEM.  One of his main research interests is improving the health and safety of construction workers grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters.

Jan 08, 202427:40
OccPod – Episode 54, Blast Off! Space Travel and Supersonic Transport

OccPod – Episode 54, Blast Off! Space Travel and Supersonic Transport

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, ACOEM's official podcast. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Vincent Michaud for a conversation that is truly out of this world – aerospace medicine and supersonic transport.

Dr. Michaud is the Deputy Chief Health and Medical Officer at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. He is responsible for the oversight of all NASA health and medical activities including medical aspects of all national and international NASA missions. 

Dr. Michaud earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed residencies in Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Medicine at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. He is a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association and is certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

Don't forget to subscribe to OccPod so you never miss a new episode!

Oct 23, 202332:10
OccPod – Episode 53, Vaccinations in the Workplace

OccPod – Episode 53, Vaccinations in the Workplace

Thank you for joining for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Judith Green McKenzie for a discussion on vaccines, particularly her experiences with the rapid delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to employees.

Dr. McKenzie is a Medical Officer at the Occupational Safety &Health Administration and Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where she was Inaugural OEM Division Chief & OEM Residency Program Director. She also served as Professor of Medicine & OEM Division Director at Johns Hopkins Medicine and as Executive Director for Health, Safety and Environment for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System.

Sep 27, 202323:55
OccPod – Episode 52, Heat Stress and Worker Health

OccPod – Episode 52, Heat Stress and Worker Health

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by guests Drs. Robert Bourgeois and Brett Perkison to discuss the relationship between heat stress and worker health.

Dr. Bourgeois is the Medical Director of the Bourgeois Medical Clinic, an occupational medicine practice in Morgan City, Louisiana. He helped to design the Heat Stress plan for the Deepwater Horizon response.

Dr. Perkison is the Associate Medical Director at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Employee Health, and the Program Director of UT’s Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency. Dr. Perkison’s work measures the extent chronic diseases in employees affect workplace productivity, absenteeism, employer-covered healthcare costs, and other work-related indices of occupational health.

Sep 09, 202322:15
OccPod – Episode 51, A Summer Resurgence of COVID-19

OccPod – Episode 51, A Summer Resurgence of COVID-19

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss the latest variant of COVID-19, the summer surge, and the forthcoming updated vaccines.


Don't forget to subscribe to OccPod so you never miss a new episode!

Aug 25, 202313:60
OccPod – Episode 50, The Titan Implosion and Decompression Illness

OccPod – Episode 50, The Titan Implosion and Decompression Illness

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and guest Dr. Gary Toups discuss hyperbaric medicine, including the recent implosion of the Titan submersible. Dr. Toups also discusses decompression illnesses in divers and case-on workers.


Dr. Toups has practiced Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine since 2004, when he treated recreational divers and military aviators for decompression illness at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.  He is a former US Air Force officer, and served as a navigator, pilot, flight safety officer, and aircraft mishap investigator.  In 1995, he left aviation and attended the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, earning his MD in 1999.

Jul 17, 202327:30
OccPod – Episode 49, An Update on Mpox

OccPod – Episode 49, An Update on Mpox

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Michael Sauri to discuss Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, recent outbreaks, and the status of vaccines.   

Dr. Sauri is the Medical Director of Occupational Health Consultants, which services over 130 biomedical research laboratories. Dr. Sauri’s 12-year military career included residency training in General Preventive Medicine in the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, General Internal Medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center, and Infectious Diseases Fellowship training at Bethesda Navy Hospital.

Jul 03, 202323:38
OccPod – Episode 48, New York City Haze and Wildfire Smoke

OccPod – Episode 48, New York City Haze and Wildfire Smoke

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss air quality and the detrimental effects of climate change, highlighting the hundreds of active wildfires in eastern Canada and the consequential particulate haze over New York City and the American Northeast. 

Jun 17, 202315:44
OccPod – Episode 47, What Interests OEM Residents?

OccPod – Episode 47, What Interests OEM Residents?

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod! On today’s episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel and guest Dr. Rivera Margarin discuss occupational and environmental residency programs and the topics that interest OEM students, particularly those related to climate change. 

Dr. Rivera Margarin is faculty at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health where serves as the program director for the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency, advises pre-med students in the masters in environmental health sciences program and teaches an environmental and occupational toxicology course. She is co-principal investigator for the Department of Energy funded Johns Hopkins Former Workers Program for Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories and is a medical advisor for health and safety to the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Jun 09, 202324:39
OccPod – Episode 46, Deployment Related Respiratory Diseases

OccPod – Episode 46, Deployment Related Respiratory Diseases

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel and guest Dr. Silpa Krefft discuss Deployment Related Respiratory Diseases, including burnpit exposure. 

Dr. Krefft is an occupational pulmonologist and critical care physician. She completed training in Internal Medicine at Boston University Medical Center and a Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship and Occupational Medicine training at the University of Colorado.

She joined the faculty in the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at National Jewish Health in Denver, CO in 2016 as well as the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado in 2017 where her practice includes evaluation and management of occupational and environmental lung diseases.

Jun 02, 202336:06
OccPod – Episode 45, The End of the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

OccPod – Episode 45, The End of the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, the official ACOEM podcast.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration. On May 11, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allowed the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire.

Over the last two years, the Biden Administration has implemented the largest adult vaccination program in U.S. history, with nearly 270 million Americans receiving at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. Because of this and other efforts, daily reported COVID-19 cases are down approximately 92 percent since the peak Omicron surge in January of 2022.

For information on COVID-19 vaccines and other immunizations, please visit acoemvaxinfo.org.

May 22, 202319:13
OccPod – Episode 44, Military Burn Pit Toxic Exposure

OccPod – Episode 44, Military Burn Pit Toxic Exposure

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Mr. Steve Jones and Dr. Eric Shuping to discuss toxic exposures resulting from burn pits in military personnel.


Mr. Steve Jones is the Director of Force Readiness and Health Assurance Policy for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy & Oversight of the U.S. Department of Defense. Mr. Jones is responsible for developing policy for force health protection, deployment health, occupational and environmental health, burn pits, individual medical readiness, comprehensive health surveillance, and biosurveillance. He is also responsible for advising on health issues related to garrison and deployment occupational and environmental exposures. Mr. Jones is a retired Army Environmental Science and Engineering Officer and senior consultant with over 41 years of medical, public health, and environmental health experience at all levels of the Department of Defense.

 

Dr. Eric Shuping is the Director of Operations for Health Outcomes of Military Exposures (HOME) within the Office of Patient Care Services/Public Health of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. HOME administers various programs related to environmental and occupational exposures of U.S. Veterans during military service. Dr. Shuping came to the Veterans Health Administration after retiring from 27 years of service in the Army, and is board certified in family practice, preventive medicine, and occupational medicine. He has significant experience in environmental health issues within the Army and Department of Defense in deployed and garrison settings, including a 2006-2007 deployment to Iraq as a Theater Preventive Medicine Consultant.

Apr 10, 202332:03
OccPod – Episode 43, Toxic Exposure in East Palestine, Ohio

OccPod – Episode 43, Toxic Exposure in East Palestine, Ohio

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. In this episode, which discusses the toxic chemical spill and train derailment that took place in East Palestine, Ohio in early February, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Paul Brandt-Rauf.

Dr. Brandt-Rauf is a Distinguished University Professor and the inaugural Dean of the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University.  He is also an Emeritus Dean of Public Health and an Emeritus Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago and an Emeritus Professor of Public Health, Medicine and Engineering at Columbia University. 

Dr. Brandt-Rauf’s major research interest is environmental carcinogenesis, particularly the molecular biology and the molecular epidemiology of cancer-related proteins. If you would like to learn more about occupational and environmental medicine, consider attending the American Occupational Health Conference! This year's conference will take place in Philadelphia from April 16-19, 2023. To learn more, visit acoem.org/aohc

Mar 17, 202323:02
OccPod – Episode 42, The Minnesota RETAIN Program

OccPod – Episode 42, The Minnesota RETAIN Program

In this episode of OccPod, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by guest Dr. Laura Breeher for a discussion on the Minnesota Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury or Illness Network, or RETAIN.

Dr. Breeher is the Section Chief of Occupational Medicine and Medical Director of Employee Occupational Health Services at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Since 2018, she has also served as co-medical director and principal investigator of RETAIN. Minnesota RETAIN is funded and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration under a multi-year grant to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Implementation of the Minnesota RETAIN program is a collaboration among several core organizations including the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Mayo Clinic, Workforce Development Inc, and the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board. To learn more about Minnesota RETAIN, visit www.mnretain.com. Thank you for listening! 

Mar 07, 202319:16
OccPod – Episode 41, Vaccine Side Effects and Hesitancy

OccPod – Episode 41, Vaccine Side Effects and Hesitancy

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode serves as a continuation of a special series investigating vaccinations. Funding for this series was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss COVID-19 vaccine side effects and vaccine hesitancy.

Thanks for tuning in to OccPod. We hope to see you at the 2023 American Occupational Health Conference in Philadelphia, April 16-19! For more information on the conference and to register, visit acoem.org/aohc.

Feb 02, 202314:29
OccPod – Episode 40, The Future of OEM

OccPod – Episode 40, The Future of OEM

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod. Today's guest, Dr. Zeke McKinney, is the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program Director at HealthPartners and is an affiliate assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He is also the President of Advocates for Better Health, formerly known as the Twin Cities Medical Association.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. McKinney discuss the future of occupational and environmental medicine.

Jan 02, 202320:39
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 39, Tridemic

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 39, Tridemic

Thank you for joining us for episode 39 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, framing conversations through the lens of science with a focus on occupational and environmental medicine (OEM).  

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss the 'tridemic' of COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and RSV.  

Learn more at https://acoem.org/covid-19.

Nov 22, 202215:43
OccPod – Episode 38, Bivalent Boosters

OccPod – Episode 38, Bivalent Boosters

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode serves as a continuation of a special series investigating vaccinations. Funding for this series was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by guest Dr. Amy Behrman to discuss updates to COVID-19 vaccinations, including the latest bivalent boosters.

Dr. Behrman is the Medical Director of Occupational Medicine Services and Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She serves on the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit which is dedicated to improving vaccine use as recommended by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. 

As always, thank you for joining us for OccPod. Don't forget to subscribe so you can hear the latest information related to occupational and environmental medicine, vaccinations, and a host of other topics!

Oct 22, 202225:01
OccPod – Episode 37, Resident Conversations

OccPod – Episode 37, Resident Conversations

Thank you for joining us for episode 37 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest OEM news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, which is the first in a series of conversations with OEM resident physicians, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Drs. Alya Khan and Samatha Ayoub. Drs. Khan and Ayoub are from the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Khan is the Occupational Medicine Residency Program Director, and Dr. Ayoub is the chief resident.

Thank you for listening! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss new episodes of OccPod.

Oct 16, 202224:22
OccPod – Episode 36, Flu Season

OccPod – Episode 36, Flu Season

Thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode serves as a continuation of a special series investigating vaccinations. Funding for this series was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by guest Maria Lanzi to discuss the upcoming flu season – and the influenza vaccine.

Today's guest, Nurse Practitioner Maria Lanzi, serves as an educator and preceptor for physicians and advanced practice nurses in college and University programs including the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers University, and the College of New Jersey. Maria's expertise relates to adult preventative care practice, with a special focus on the prevention and management of vaccine-preventable diseases and public health preparedness. She is active in public health policy development and implementation, leading community-wide educational and coalition efforts.

As always, thank you for joining us for OccPod. Don't forget to subscribe so you can hear the latest information related to occupational and environmental medicine, vaccinations, and a host of other topics.

Sep 07, 202224:45
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 35, The BA.5 Subvariant

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 35, The BA.5 Subvariant

Thank you for joining us for episode 35 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine. As conversations surrounding serious illness and the pandemic dissipate, OccPod will begin to shift to other topics and series, such as OccPod: Climate Conversations. Be sure to listen to the first episode of a new series addressing vaccines, a series made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention!

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss the BA.5 subvariant of COVID-19, which has quickly become the most prevalent variant of the virus. As of July 2, the subvariant BA.5 was responsible for nearly 54% of COVID cases in the U.S. BA.4, a similar subvariant, accounted for nearly 17% more, according to the latest data from the CDC. According to the University of California Davis Health, the reported symptoms of BA.5 are similar to previous COVID variants: fever, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headaches, and fatigue. As always, thank you for joining us for another episode of COVID Conversations!

Aug 02, 202215:33
OccPod – Episode 34, Monkeypox

OccPod – Episode 34, Monkeypox

Thank you for joining us for episode 34 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This is the first episode of a special series addressing vaccines and was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In this episode, which discusses Monkeypox and available vaccinations for the virus, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Dr. Michael Sauri. Dr. Sauri is the Medical Director of Occupational Health Consultants, which services over 130 biomedical research laboratories. He received board certification in Occupational Medicine and is certified in Tropical Medicine. He has authored numerous articles covering chemical and Biological Warfare, Refugee and Displaced Populations, Tropical Diseases, and AIDS.

Monkeypox was discovered around 1960 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named 'monkeypox,' the source of the disease remains unknown. The first human case of the virus was recorded in 1970. Prior to this year's outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several African countries.

Jul 18, 202234:54
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 33, Variants and Therapeutics

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 33, Variants and Therapeutics

Thank you for joining us for episode 33 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine. As conversations surrounding serious illness and the pandemic begin to dissipate, OccPod will begin to shift to other topics and series, such as OccPod: Climate Conversations.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss further variants of COVID-19 and therapeutics such as Paxlovid. This treatment, which is an oral antiviral pill that can be taken at home to help keep high-risk patients from becoming hospitalized, was granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December for anyone ages 12 and older. As always, thank you for joining us for another episode of COVID Conversations!

Jun 27, 202219:58
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 32, The Omicron Variant and Mask Mandates

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 32, The Omicron Variant and Mask Mandates

Thank you for joining us for episode 32 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine. As conversations surrounding serious illness and the pandemic begin to dissipate, OccPod will begin to shift to other topics and series, such as OccPod: Climate Conversations.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss the Omicron Variant of COVID-19, mitigating disease presence in wastewater, and the implications of lifting mask mandates. As emerging variants of the virus spread across the country, the OccPod hosts discuss the evolving nature of managing a public health crisis. As always, thank you for joining us for another episode of COVID Conversations!

Jun 14, 202217:40
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 31, The Return of Live Events

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 31, The Return of Live Events

Thank you for joining us for episode 31 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and two special guests – Dr. Rupali Das and ACOEM Education Manager Heather Hodge – discuss the return of live events in advance of AOHC 2022, which is the College's first live event since the beginning of the pandemic. Dr. Das is Senior Vice President and Medical Director at Zenith Insurance Company and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Previously, she served as the Executive Medical Director of the California Division of Workers’ Compensation. As always, thank you for joining us for another information of COVID Conversations!

Apr 03, 202226:53
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 30, Vaccine Myths and Facts

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 30, Vaccine Myths and Facts

Thank you for joining us for episode 30 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. The current U.S. vaccination rate (as of April 2nd, 2022) sits at 65.6 percent. Since the introduction of vaccines against the virus, misinformation and disinformation have infested social media and the public discourse; this episode aims to combat this as virus-related mandates dissipate. As always, thank you for joining us for another information of COVID Conversations!

Apr 03, 202219:55
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 29, Vaccine Developments

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 29, Vaccine Developments

Thank you for joining us for episode 29 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss recent developments in vaccine technology, developments that could make COVID-19 inoculations more widely acesable across the world. Since the introduction of vaccinations against COVID-19, many countries have not been offered the same access to the life-saving medical technology. Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss how these developments could increase vaccine equity. We hope you enjoy! 

Feb 13, 202216:50
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 28, Masking

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 28, Masking

Thank you for joining us for episode 28 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss a topic that has remained in the public and medical discourse since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, masking. As different variants of concern spread across the country, an ever-revolving array of mask mandates have been put into place with the hope of mitigating the spread of the virus. In this episode of COVID Conversations, the OccPod hosts discuss the effectiveness of cloth, surgical, and N95 masks. We hope you enjoy!

Feb 02, 202217:44
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 27, Rapid vs. PCR Testing (Part 2)

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 27, Rapid vs. PCR Testing (Part 2)

Thank you for joining us for episode 27 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

This episode continues the conversation surrounding the differences between rapid and PCR testing for COVID-19. Terms like PCR, rapid testing, and antibody testing are splashed across websites discussing COVID-19, and it can be hard to make sense of what they mean for home and clinical settings.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel are joined by Ross A. Mullinax, MD, MPH. Dr. Mullinax has served on active duty in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps since 2010. He completed residency training in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He currently serves as Head of Occupational Medicine and Director for Public Health at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. He also leads the COVID-19 response as Public Health Emergency Officer for Navy Region Japan. We hope you enjoy!

Jan 28, 202216:48
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 26, Rapid vs. PCR Testing

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 26, Rapid vs. PCR Testing

Thank you for joining us for episode 26 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss a question that has perplexed medical professionals and the public since the start of the pandemic – what are the differences between rapid and PCR tests for COVID-19? Terms like PCR, rapid testing, and antibody testing are splashed across websites discussing COVID-19, and it can be hard to make sense of what they mean for home and clinical settings. Be sure to listen to part two of this timely conversation – and as always, we hope you enjoy!

Jan 26, 202218:41
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 25, Drug Treatments for COVID-19

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 25, Drug Treatments for COVID-19

Thank you for joining us for episode 25 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode, which is the first of 2022, continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this conversation, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss updates to the Omicron variant and therapeutic treatments for non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The FDA has approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for adults and certain pediatric patients with COVID-19. The FDA has also issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for several monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 for the treatment, and in some cases prevention (prophylaxis), of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made molecules that act as substitute antibodies. As always, thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod: COVID Conversations – we hope you enjoy.

Jan 22, 202225:32
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 24, The Omicron Variant

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 24, The Omicron Variant

Thank you for joining us for episode 24 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss the Omicron variant. On November 24, South Africa reported the identification of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, B.1.1.529, to the World Health Organization (WHO). B.1.1.529 was first detected in specimens collected on November 11 in Botswana and on November 14 in South Africa. As millions of Americans plan to travel across the country to celebrate the holiday season, the COVID Conversations team discusses the likelihood of transmission, current protection offered by vaccination, and other salient information related to variants of the virus. As always, thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod: COVID Conversations. We hope you enjoy! 

Dec 24, 202128:39
OccPod: Climate Conversations – Episode 23, Hurricanes and Floods

OccPod: Climate Conversations – Episode 23, Hurricanes and Floods

Welcome to the third episode of Climate Conversations, a new series of the OccPod podcast. Join Drs. Ismail Nabeel and Mani Berenji, along with ACOEM’s Erin Ransford, for these insightful conversations into the impact climate change has on worker health. In this episode, which was recorded in early December 2021, the Climate Conversations team is joined by Dr. William “Brett” Perkison for an in-depth look at the impact of hurricanes and floods on worker health.

Originally from Texarkana, Texas, Dr. Perkison earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Texas A&M University and a medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed residencies in Family Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine followed by a residency in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. Dr. Perkison is board certified in both specialties and an ACOEM Fellow. Thank you for joining us again for this new, thought-provoking series. 

Dec 20, 202139:10
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 22, Infection vs. Vaccine Immunity

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 22, Infection vs. Vaccine Immunity

Thank you for joining us for episode 22 of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This episode continues the COVID Conversations series, which is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and frame conversations through the lens of science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss the differences in protection from SARS-CoV-2 that come from infection and immunization. This also includes the benefits associated with vaccination following infection. As of December 7, 2021, the United States has seen 49.2 million cases of the virus and 788,000 deaths, many of which, healthcare providers say, could have been avoided with widespread vaccination. As always, thank you for joining us for another episode of OccPod: COVID Conversations. We hope you enjoy!

Dec 07, 202127:10
OccPod: Climate Conversations – Episode 21, Wildfires and Environmental Hazards

OccPod: Climate Conversations – Episode 21, Wildfires and Environmental Hazards

Welcome to the second episode of Climate Conversations, a new series of the OccPod podcast. Join Drs. Ismail Nabeel and Mani Berenji, along with ACOEM’s Erin Ransford, for these insightful conversations into the impact climate change has on worker health. In this episode, which was recored in advance of ACOEM's Virtual Fall Summit (more information can be found here,) the OccPod crew is joined by Dr. Robert Harrison for a discussion surrounding wildfires and the health of firefighters and communities. 

Dr. Harrison founded and has directed UCSF Occupational Health Services for more than 15 years, and now is a senior attending physician. He received his B.A. from the University of Rochester and his M.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and is board certified in both internal medicine and occupational medicine. Thank you for joining us again for this new series!

Nov 11, 202125:22
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 20, Mixing and Matching the Vaccine

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 20, Mixing and Matching the Vaccine

Thank you for joining us for episode 20 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss the mixing and matching of COVID-19 inoculations. This topic continues to be at the forefront of the COVID-19 conversation, and although current guidance recommends additional doses for immunocompromised and older patients, their use is becoming more widespread. Thank you for listening!

Nov 10, 202119:04
OccPod: Climate Conversations – Episode 19, Climate and Worker Health

OccPod: Climate Conversations – Episode 19, Climate and Worker Health

Welcome to the first episode of Climate Conversations, a new series of the OccPod podcast. Join Drs. Ismail Nabeel and Mani Berenji, along with ACOEM’s Erin Ransford, for these insightful conversations into the impact that climate change has on worker health.

In this episode, which was recorded on October 20th, Drs. Nabeel and Berenji outline key challenges that have presented due to a changing climate. This includes heat stress, flooding, and the lasting ramifications of natural disasters. Thank you for joining us for this new series!

Nov 02, 202132:02
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 18, Vaccine Boosters

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 18, Vaccine Boosters

Thank you for joining us for episode 18 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss current guidance – and the future implications – of COVID-19 booster shots. Although current guidance recommends additional doses for immunocompromised and older patients, their use could become widespread. Since December 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). EUAs are used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during public health emergencies to provide access to medical products that may be effective, provided that the FDA determines that the known and potential benefits of a product outweigh the known and potential risks. On August 23, 2021, the FDA issued a full approval for the vaccine, now marketed as Comirnaty, for use in individuals in ages 16 years of age and older. Thank you for listening!

Oct 20, 202133:06
OccPod – Episode 17, 9/11 and Public Health, 20 Years On

OccPod – Episode 17, 9/11 and Public Health, 20 Years On

“I remember it being a bright morning. We came to work like it was any other day.”

Thank you for joining us for the 17th episode of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss the significant long-term health consequences seen in first responders and survivors of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 people. Dr. Nabeel, who was a second year resident at the time of the attack, discusses his personal connection to the day that changed everything, recalling the treatment of patients near Ground Zero. The anecdotes discussed in this episode may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive ears.

Sep 30, 202131:01
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 16, What Comes After FDA Approval?

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 16, What Comes After FDA Approval?

Thank you for joining us for episode 16 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss implications of the FDA's Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine approval. Drs. Nabeel and Berenji are joined for this episode by special guest Dr. Tanisha Taylor. Since December 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). EUAs are used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during public health emergencies to provide access to medical products that may be effective, provided that the FDA determines that the known and potential benefits of a product outweigh the known and potential risks. On August 23, 2021, the FDA issued a full approval for the vaccine, now marketed as Comirnaty, for use in individuals in ages 16 years of age and older. Thank you for listening!

Sep 04, 202127:39
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 15, Vaccination Mandates

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 15, Vaccination Mandates

Thank you for joining us for episode 15 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and Dr. Berenji discuss the impact of vaccination mandates. With a rapidly-changing vaccination landscape, many companies, school systems, and municipalities have begun requiring inoculation against COVID-19. Drs. Nabeel and Berenji discuss these ever-evolving mandates, drawing from their own experiences in occupational and environmental medicine. Thank you for listening!

Aug 21, 202124:13
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 14, The Delta Variant

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 14, The Delta Variant

COVID Conversations is back! Thank you for joining us for episode 14 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin, Dr. Nabeel, and special co-host Dr. Mani Berenji, MD, MPH, FACOEM discuss the Delta Variant – and other emerging strains – of COVID-19. As vaccination efforts continue across the country, what will these emerging variants of concern mean for masking mandates and other mitigation efforts, not to mention rates of infection and hospitalization?

Aug 13, 202129:27
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 13, To Mask, or Not to Mask

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 13, To Mask, or Not to Mask

Thank you for joining us again for episode 13 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss the recently-announced mask wearing updates for fully vaccinated individuals. This is paired with a discussion on the mandate's implications on the workplace. These recordings aim to educate a general audience on SARS CoV2 and COVID-19. Be sure to check back soon for a new episode!

May 22, 202125:07
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 12, Mental Health

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 12, Mental Health

Thank you for joining us again for episode 12 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

Dr. Nabeel and Erin are joined for this episode by special guest Dr. Gaurava Agarwal for a timely discussion on stress, exhaustion, and mental health in workers, with an emphasis on physicians and other healthcare providers. Dr. Agarwal is a psychiatrist at Northwestern University in Chicago, and is Associate Professor in both the Departments of Medical Education and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.  He serves as the Director of Physician Well-Being for Northwestern Medicine's Medical Groups and as Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry at Northwestern. Dr. Agarwal specializes in occupational and organizational psychiatry with an emphasis on workplace mental health.  He’s the chair of ACOEM’s Behavioral Health Section, and is also the  Vice-President of the Academy of Organizational and Occupational Psychiatry, member of the American Hospital Association’s Committee on Clinical Leadership, Chair of the Well-Being and Professional Development Committee for the American College of Physicians Northern Illinois chapter, and is on the Advisory Council of the Center for Workplace Mental Health.

These recordings aim to educate a general audience on SARS CoV2 and COVID-19. Be sure to check back soon for a new episode!

May 15, 202131:15
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 11, Long COVID

OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 11, Long COVID

Thank you for joining us again for episode 11 of COVID Conversations. This series is a special presentation of OccPod, the official podcast of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ACOEM is dedicated to sharing the latest COVID-19 news, and host conversations grounded in science with a focus on OEM, or occupational and environmental medicine.

In this week's episode, Erin and Dr. Nabeel discuss 'Long COVID,' or Post-COVID Syndrome. Ingrained in this conversation is the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to combatting the lingering symptoms of COVID-19. These recordings aim to educate a general audience on SARS CoV2 and COVID-19. Be sure to check back soon for a new episode!

Apr 02, 202117:40
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 10, Viral Vector Vaccines
Mar 25, 202120:39
OccPod: COVID Conversations – Episode 9, Return to Work
Mar 15, 202120:45