Chirag A. Patel, University of Illinois at
Chicago, Jerry Lynch Scholarship and
Chicago Local Section Scholarship
Brian T. Pavilonis, University of Iowa,
Clyde M. Berry Memorial Scholarship
Namhee Shin, Wayne State University,
Michigan Industrial Hygiene Society
Merit Scholarship
Pearl Siganporia, University of British
Columbia, Kyle B. Dotson Scholarship
[From: 26]
Donna Vosburgh, University of Iowa,
Clyde M. Berry Memorial Scholarship
Since 1982, AIHF has distributed more
than $1,077,000 to 397 students at more
than 46 different schools and universities.
These scholarships have enabled talented
students to complete their education and
encouraged the most promising scholars
to enter or remain in the industrial hygiene profession.
[Continued: 29]
People
AIHA Volunteer to Help Set NIOSH Agenda for Health Care
As a team leader on AIHA’s Health Care Working Group and a
member of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Committee, Lisa Iverson-Leirmo has demonstrated her willingness to
volunteer on behalf of the industrial hygiene profession. This
year, Iverson-Leirmo accepted a new assignment: serving on the
NIOSH Health Care and Social Assistance (HCSA) Sector Council.
HCSA is one of eight sectors in the NIOSH National Occupa-
tional Research Agenda (NORA), a partnership program for stimu-
lating research and improved workplace practices. The HCSA
As an industrial hygienist and physician assistant, Iverson-Leirmo brings a unique
perspective to the council: she has experience in both preventing and treating occupa-
tional illnesses. In February, she participated in her first HCSA sector council meeting
in Silver Spring, Md. Although she is still acclimating herself to the council, she rel-
ishes the opportunity to work with leaders in health and safety.
“[They are] tremendous resources,” Iverson-Leirmo says of her fellow council
members. “They are very well educated, and they have wonderful work experience
and life experience. They represent government, private industry, academia, even re-
search. It’s just a really strong mix of folks to set the [research] agenda.”
For the past two years, Iverson-Leirmo explains, the council reviewed sector-specific
injury statistics and identified gaps in knowledge. This work resulted in a 350-page
document that summarizes the state of the HCSA sector and provides justification for
recommended research opportunities in health care and social assistance.
Thus far, the council has identified six areas of opportunity for research: occupational safety and health programs, work overload, musculoskeletal disorders, hazardous drugs and other chemicals, sharps injuries and infectious disease. Working
groups have formed to identify goals in each area. Iverson-Leirmo is a member of
the hazardous drugs working group.
“[Our] goals at this point relate to implementing existing guidance on hazardous
drugs,” she says. “But I certainly feel that the working group is missing a couple of
opportunities. One, of course, is to talk about exposure limits, and also exposure
monitoring—two things near and dear to hygienists’ hearts.”
Her many volunteer and professional responsibilities are guaranteed to keep her
busy, but Iverson-Leirmo is fully committed to helping the council facilitate research
that will help protect workers. “[The council] suggests that members have a two-year
term,” she says. “I would be glad to be a member for as long as I’m asked to be there.”
For more information about NORA, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/default.html.
Additional information about HCSA can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/
programs/hcsa.
