CLINICAL AND  PRACTICUM ROTATIONS

NOTE:  The information on this web page is based on information maintained by Dr. Sue Ross, and questions regarding this information should be directed primarily to Dr. Ross.

A.  Required Clinical Rotations

 

Occupational Dermatology Clinic

Under the direction of Dr. C.G. Toby Mathias, residents achieve proficiency in understanding common occupational skin problems and the physical, chemical, and biological sources of these problems. The resident will develop skills in differentiation between occupational and non-occupational skin disease and in the treatment and prevention of common occupational skin problems. The clinic is held on Friday mornings and afternoons and is required for one quarter (or part of the quarter dependent on scheduling requirements). Grading is on a letter scale and the course is 2-4 graduate credits per quarter depending on if a whole or half-day per week is scheduled. Residents continue to staff this rotation over breaks to the beginning of the next academic term. Residents are asked to please call Dr. Mathias several weeks prior  to the start of their rotation in his clinic.  When registering, use course number  26-OCCM-888.  This rotation does not count for "industrial days".

C.G. Toby Mathias, MD

872-2063

 

 

General Occupational Medicine Clinic

This clinic is designed for physicians to achieve proficiency in general occupational medicine principles. The resident performs patient evaluations to recognize common occupational illnesses. This is taken for a total of 2 full days over at least 2 quarters. This clinic will be held at the Center for Occupational Health on Monday mornings, Wednesday mornings and afternoons. Dr. Andrew Freeman, Dr. Ann Middaugh and Dr. James Donovan staff the General Occupational Medicine clinic. Up to 2 residents can be scheduled for each half-day session.

Grading is on a letter scale and is counted as 2 or 4 graduate credits depending upon whether a ½ day or a full day is done that quarter. Residents continue to staff this rotation over breaks to the beginning of the next academic term. When registering, use course # 26-OCCM-899.  This rotation does not count for "industrial days".

James Donovan, MD (Mon. am and Wed. pm) 558-4970
Andrew Freeman, MD (Mon. am) 558-0037

D,. Ann Middaugh, MD (Wed. am)

558-0030

 

 

 

 

Occupational Pulmonary Clinic

Under the direction of Dr. James Lockey, this clinic is designed for physicians to achieve proficiency in completing an occupational history and examination. Special emphasis is placed on lung toxins. Residents are instructed on ordering and interpreting appropriate pulmonary and radiographic tests. The acquired information is used to develop a complete differential diagnosis for lung disorders and to form a clinically and legally appropriate opinion of work relatedness. The clinic is held on Thursdays and is taken either for one full quarter day (preferably), or may be split up over two half quarter days if needed because of schedule conflicts. Grading is on a letter scale and the course is 4 graduate credits. Residents continue to staff this rotation over breaks to the beginning of the next academic term. When registering, use course #26-OCCM-877.  This rotation does not count for "industrial days".

James Lockey, MD

558-0030

 

 

 

B.  Elective Clinical Experiences

A number of other clinical electives are available for residents to enhance their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas. Experiences other than the ones specifically listed are available in coordination with the program director.  These are not required but are recommended for residents. They do not count towards the minimum "80 Industrial days" requirement to sit for the boards.  When registering for these non-industrial rotations, use course number 26-OCCM-929 through -932 (depending on the academic quarter) as posted for the given academic quarter for Occ-Med Resident Non-Industrial Days/Clinical.

 

Allergy -

The Bernstein Allergy Group is an internationally recognized source of expertise in occupational allergies. The rotation is at the Group's private practice offices. Typically, it is done on a daily basis for a calendar month.

David Bernstein, MD

931-0775

 

 

Freiberg Spine Institute -

Dr. Swank is the medical director of the Freiberg Spine Institute in Cincinnati. The rotation focuses on back examination, diagnosis and treatment.

Michael L. Swank, MD

221-1917

 

 

Alternative/ Complimentary Medicine -

Dr. Hal Blatman, a graduate of U.C.’s Occupational Medicine Residency program, has a busy practice that includes many patients with myofascial pain and fibromyalgia. Residents on this rotation become familiar with a wide variety of trigger point injection techniques and alternative medicine approaches.

Hal Blatman, MD

956-3200

 

 

Orthopedics -

Dr. Peter Stern and his group are recognized authorities in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the hand and upper extremities. Residents see a high volume of patients.

Peter Stern, MD

961-4263

 

 

Pain Management -

The UC Dept. of Anesthesia Pain Management program is available to Occ Med residents.

Please see Connie Thasher for current contact name.

 

 

 

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation -

This rotation includes musculoskeletal and cumulative trauma disorder evaluations and EMG/NCV experience.  The resident gains experience in the evaluation and treatment of  neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, mostly non-occupational.

Mark Goddard, MD

558-2919

 

 

Radiology -

Dr. Wiot and his group are authorities in the radiological diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. Chest radiology is a uniquely valuable experience here given the historic development of the ILO classification system for pneumoconiosis at U.C. and the number of certified "B" readers. This experience covers the complete spectrum of radiological imaging in occupational and environmental medicine.

Jerome Wiot, MD

584-4396

 

 

Sports Medicine-

Dr. Ken  Stephens, director of athletic  Medicine provide health services for UC student athletes, including acute injury care and illness.

Ken Stephens, MD

558-4457

 

 

Veteran’s Administration Disability Clinic

Dr. Donovan and Dr. Freeman spend about one day per week at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Cincinnati. Residents rotating through this clinic gain experience with disability evaluations and with coordinating the care of patients with a wide variety of health conditions.

James Donovan, MD

558-4970
Andrew Freeman, MD 558-0037

 

 

 

C.  Practicum Rotations

Practicum experiences are offered widely both years, but they are usually taken more frequently during the summer and in the second year. The settings of the industrial rotations vary from to heavy industry. There are opportunities that are more clinically oriented for less experienced residents, and those that are more administrative and project oriented as residents progress in their academic training. Rotations, other that those listed, may be done with approval of the program director. For example, residents have rotated at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and other local industries.  Grading is usually "pass" or "fail" and course credits vary according to time spent per quarter. Generally, ½ day per week per quarter is equivalent to 2 graduate credits and 1 full day per week per quarter is equivalent to 4 graduate credits. A quarter is usually 10 to 11 weeks long. The resident and the rotation preceptor determine the length and timing of the rotation. A minimum of 4 months (80 days) of industrial time is required for graduation by the division and in order to sit for the Occupational Medicine Boards. Residents are strongly encouraged to do 5 months or more of Industrial days.  When registering for industrial rotations, use course number 26-OCCM-925 through 928 (depending on the academic quarter)  for Occ-Med Residents’ In-Plant Industrial Days).

 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) -

Located in Atlanta, Georgia. The mission of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is to prevent or mitigate the adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life that result from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. The  ATSDR works closely with state, local, and other federal agencies to reduce or eliminate illness, disability, and death that result from exposure of the public and workers to toxic substances at spill and waste disposal sites. 

Sue Ross, MD, JD

 558-0687

 

 

Bethesda Care - Blue Ash, (Other sites may also be available) -

Residents gain experience in acute injury care,  routine preplacement  and surveillance examinations, and drug testing. They can also participate in consultative visits to client companies, perform walk-through evaluations and services relevant to the American with Disability Act (ADA) and the blood borne pathogen standard. This is a pure clinical rotation.

Jeffrey Davin, MD

791-4040

 

 

Brush-Wellman

This is an away rotation in Ohio. Please contact Dr. Ross for details.

Sue Ross, MD, JD 558-0687

 

 

Department of Energy -

Rotations are available in the Occupational Medicine Office at the Department of Energy in Washington DC. This office is responsible for the medical programs in the approximately 50 sites nationwide where radioactive material processing and manufacturing have occurred over the years. This preceptorship is centered primarily at the Washington DC office, but also involves fieldwork at one or more facilities. The resident spends one workweek participating in the training program designed for physicians in the Department of Energy. The next week is spent at a designated field location. The final two weeks are largely administrative occupational medicine experiences, accompanying Dr. Gebus in his daily meetings. This rotation is a one-month full-time rotation. Residents have little or no patient contact.

George R. Gebus, MD, MPH

301-903-7385

 

 

Hillenbrand Industries-

Residents gain experience in day to day employee health activities at this site which makes caskets and hospital beds.  It can be done on a variety of schedules (day per week or month long).

Sue Ross, MD, JD 558-0687

 

 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) -

-Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch (HETAB) (Cincinnati)

Residents are generally assigned to the medical section of the Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance branch (HETAB) where they actively participate in ongoing HHEs. The resident becomes involved in all phases of the project. Residents participate in 3-4 HHE’s per month of experience. This is an excellent rotation to understand the interactions of NIOSH with unions and industry, along with the issues and the needs of each. This rotation involves blocks of travel time and is recommended to be taken during light academic quarters.  It is generally taken for 4 weeks.  Resident must contact Dr.Trout at least several months prior to the desired rotation time in order to complete the required paperwork and to ensure rotation availability at the time sought.

Doug Trout, MD, MS

841-4558 dyt1@cdc.gov

 

 

-Other (Cincinnati and Morgantown, WV)

In addition to the HETAB experience at NIOSH, many other rotations in specific divisions or in specific areas (such as pesticides, firefighter issues, occupational pulmonary, healthcare worker issues, toxicology, ergonomics, etc.) at NIOSH are available and are flexible in terms of time/day commitments.

Sue Ross, MD, JD

 

558-0687 

 

 

ORISE/ Oak Ridge

This rotation in Oak Ridge Tennessee allows residents to participate in medical continuing education programs and projects related to radiation exposures.

Sue Ross, MD, JD

 

558-0687 

 

 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) -

Local Office -

This rotation is specifically designed to provide the resident with direct training in industrial hygiene and safety methods. It will also expose them to the day to day activities of one the of country’s most highly regarded OSHA offices. Residents gain access to industrial facilities with known or suspected occupational health and safety problems and will have an opportunity to learn about industrial processes specify to various industries. Residents can also attend area director settlement conferences with company and employee representatives following the issuance of OSHA citations.

Richard Gilgrist, CIH

841-4132

 

 

National Office -

The Washington DC rotation offers a one or two month rotation at OSHA where residents are able to participate in all aspects of the Office of Occupational Medicine (OOM) activities. Supervision is by staff occupational medicine physicians. The resident actively participates in OOM staff meetings, discussing office issues and priorities. They work with OOM staff on health and safety standards, compliance directives and guidelines. Residents meet with personnel from various OSHA directorates and gain an understanding of OSHA’s organizational structure and function. They participate in answering inquiries form professional and the public concerning OSHA field personnel and OSHA inspections, where they gain experience in the OSHA inspection process. This rotation requires at least a one month commitment.

Sue Ross, MD, MS

558-0687

 

 

Procter and Gamble Company (P&G)

P&G employees approximately 100,000 workers, 50,000 in the United States and 50,000 internationally. The occupational health section has offices at the Ivorydale Technical Center in Cincinnati, and the medical director’s office is in downtown Cincinnati.  This is primarily a research and project oriented corporate rotation.

Contact: Andrew Freeman, MD

558-0037 or Email: andrew.freeman@uc.edu

 

 

University Health Services -

Residents provide a spectrum of occupational health services to employees of the University of Cincinnati. The clinic is located on the first floor of Holmes Hospital (584-4570). The purpose of the rotation is to acquaint the resident with the unique aspects of occupational medicine practice within a university setting. The resident gains experience in the evaluation and treatment of acute occupational injuries and illnesses of employees. Residents perform preplacement examinations and periodic surveillance programs. Walkthrough inspections of problem work area are performed as needed. This rotation exposes residents to the administrative processes involved in policy formation and evaluation of chronically disabled workers.

John Andrews, MD

584-4480

 

 

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