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Session Evaluation

AOHC 2026 Concurrent Sessions

Public Health, Surveillance, and Disease Prevention

202 - Industrial Ills and Medical Minds: Chicago’s Role in Early 20th Century Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Monday, April 20, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM CT
Location: Sheraton Ballroom V
Claim 1.0 CME

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.


Disclosure(s):

Pamela L. Krahl, MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACP: Amgen: Stockholder/Ownership Interest (excluding diversified mutual funds) (Ongoing)
Verba A. Moore, MD, MPH, FACOEM: No financial relationships to disclose
Robert R. Orford, MD, CM, MS, MPH, FACOEM: No financial relationships to disclose
Tee L. Guidotti, MD, MPH, DBT, FRCPC: No financial relationships to disclose
Olga Emgushov, MD, MPH, FACOEM: No financial relationships to disclose
Session Description: A century ago, Chicago was the epicenter of our fledgling medical specialty in the United States. In this session, we will provide historical perspectives on the development of OEM during the early industrialization of Chicago and the development of the Progressive Movement, highlighting locations you may want to visit while you are in Chicago to learn even more. Our discussions will include Alice Hamilton and her work at Hull House in cataloging and investigating the afflictions of workers, the accomplishments of Harry Mock in the physical examination of workers and the rehabilitation to prevent disability, and the contributions of C.O. Sappington to the National Safety Council, Americal Public Health Association, and ACOEM's predecessor organization, the American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons at the time industrial hygiene developed as its own field.

Educational Gaps: - Lack of recognition of how study of the history of our specialty can better prepare us for the challenges of today and the future.
- Inadequate appreciation of the ethical underpinnings of OEM.
- Burnout when facing the difficult problems of workers today.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: History and Archives

Has this session previously been presented?: No

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: In reviewing several key historical figures in OEM and their accomplishments in improving the health and wellbeing of workers, our session will directly show how workplace health improves overall health.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize how study of the history of our specialty can better prepare us for the challenges of today and the future.
  • Reflect on the ethical underpinnings of OEM.
  • Feel inspired to tackle the difficult problems of workers today.