Occupational medicine includes the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of work-related diseases and injuries.
The University of Iowa is one of about 29 medical programs in the United States to offer a residency in occupational medicine, a specialty that is growing in scope and demand. The Occupational Medicine Residency features a large and diverse faculty, broad opportunities for clinical experience, and a vigorous research program. Residents can earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree as part of the academic year program via the Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety.
Program Requirements
Application Information
Financial Support
Occupational medicine residents receive full tuition and stipend coverage at the appropriate house staff level based on their previous training.
An Interdisciplinary Setting
The Occupational Medicine Residency emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of occupational health, and the importance of the team approach to solving occupational health problems. Residents have the opportunity to work with graduate students and professionals in industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, ergonomics, toxicology and more.
A Strong Clinical Component
Residents can choose from a broad variety of clinical settings to complete the 12-month practicum year requirement, including local work sites and occupational health clinics and group practices. In addition, residents regularly participate in the Occupational Medicine Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a tertiary referral clinic staffed by faculty physicians certified in occupational, internal and pulmonary medicine.
An In-Depth Research Program
If you choose to do research as part of your residency, you will have the opportunity to work with faculty holding national reputations for achievement in occupational, environmental and agricultural medicine. The four major research areas are:
- Occupational and environmental lung diseases, including agricultural lung diseases
- The health effects of occupational environmental exposures
- Occupational and agricultural injury epidemiology, surveillance and prevention
- International occupational and environmental health
Most of this research is conducted at the Institute for Rural and Environmental Health, the primary facility for the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health. In addition, there are several federally funded research centers at the Institute, including the Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, and the Injury Prevention Research Center.
A Diverse Faculty
The faculty of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health includes not only occupational physicians, but also ergonomics specialists, environmental toxicologists, industrial hygienists, environmental engineers and agricultural health specialists. Residents also have contact with faculty in biostatistics and epidemiology, behavioral medicine, health management and policy, and public health practice, as well as clinical faculty in orthopedics, internal and pulmonary medicine and other specialties.
For more information contact:
Fredric Gerr, Director
319.338.4212
fred-gerr@uiowa.edu
OR
Marlene Thompson, Project Assistant
319.335.4416
marlene-thompson@uiowa.edu
