Occupational and Environmental Health Overview

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Health is dedicated to providing its customers with excellence in clinical and preventive medicine.  Other endeavors include educational and research programs directed at understanding the relationships between human health and hazards in the environment and the workplace.  To meet these goals, a team of highly experienced and professionally trained personnel are available to work with employers, individuals, professional organizations, and labor unions.

Staff and faculty members of the Center are available to meet with you at your site or offices to discuss how we can meet the needs of your organization.  To contact us please phone 913.588.6512 to reach the clinic and/or 913.588.7188 to reach research and laboratory personnel.

Key Strengths

• Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinic's certification (AOEC)
• Organization devoted to occupational and environmental health and risk assessment
• Demonstrated ability to develop interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and inter-organizational teams
• Ability to deliver on-site medical services to corporate clients in the Kansas City area
• Established cooperative relationship with labor, industry, government, and the community
• Bilingual services, materials, and interpreters
• Members dedicated to applied workplace and community research

Areas of Services

To fulfill its mission, the department draws on the expertise of a full-time staff that includes environmental and occupational medicine physicians nurses, and an industrial hygienist. 

Expertise for regular services ranges from annual exams for DOT, asbestos and hazardous waste exposures to consultations on a variety of environmental issues, illness outbreaks, design of a comprehensive health and safety program, to workers' compensation injury and case management.

Included among those that draw upon our services:  

Decision Makers

• Human resource directors
• Corporate medical directors
• Health & safety administrators
• Loss prevention managers                                

Insurers

• Managed Care Organizations
• Disability insurers
• Compensation insurers
• Workers' compensation case managers

Private Employers

• Manufacturers
• Transportation Firms
• Hazardous waste companies
• Oil refineries

Public Employers

• Federal, state, and local agencies
• Municipal governments
• School districts
• State and federal judges

Health Care Providers

• Community physicians
• Hospitals
• Health maintenance organizations
• Rehabilitation specialists

Individuals

Labor Unions and Attorneys

Judicial System/Arbitrators

Comprehensive Range of Services

Clinical Care and Problem Solving 

• Diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation related to workplace exposures and injuries
• Independent medical evaluations
• Assessment and solution of ergonomic problems
• Routine occupational medical services, such as pre/post offer physicals and return to work exams
• DOT and FAA medical examinations
• Evaluating sick building syndrome and indoor air quality
• Continuum of service from prevention to rehabilitation and return-to-work

Program Development and Evaluation 

• Design of new occupational health programs or evaluation of current programs
• Case management of workers' compensation claims
• Health and safety program development and management
• Development of hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs
• Evaluation and audit of medical services, including chart reviews
• Development of wellness programs to reflect needs of the employee population (i.e. Smoking cessation programs, Health screenings)
• Development of Medical Emergency Response Teams including CPR and First Aid Training for First Responders

Surveillance

• Periodic evaluation of workers to detect workplace hazards or excessive exposure levels       
• Management of medical surveillance programs and compliance with OSHA standards
• Hazardous waste worker and firefighter surveillance examinations
• Pulmonary function testing
• Respirator medical certifications
• Respirator fit testing
• Drug testing site
• Medical Review Officer

Industrial Hygiene Evaluation 

• Ergonomic evaluation
• Personnel and workplace air monitoring and sampling per NIOSH and OSHA methodology
• Industrial ventilation surveys
• Noise survey monitoring and dosimetry

Consultative Services 

• Industrial Hygiene
• Independent medical evaluations
• Health and wellness
• Coordination of care for complex workers compensation claims
• Safety training
• Exposure assessment

Distinguished Staff

H. William Barkman, M.D., MSPH

• Director, Center for Environmental and Occupational Health
• Chief of Staff, University of Kansas Hospital
• Board certified in Pulmonary Medicine
• Associate Professor, KU Medical School, Pulmonary & Critical Care

Gregory L. Bono, M.D., M.P.H.

• Medical Director, Occupational Health Clinic
• Certified by American Board of Preventive Medicine-Occupational Medicine
• Medical Review Officer
• SAMI Certified Specimen Collector
• Assistant Professor, KU Medical School

Pam Foerster, R.N., M.S.