For more than 30 years, the Duke Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) has been committed to improving the health of working populations. Duke OEM offers a variety of services including clinical evaluations, corporate consulting, toxicological assessments, and injury prevention.

As one of the top academic OEM groups in the country, the division is also dedicated to training physicians through its residency program. Residents are trained to serve as leaders in academia, public health, the military, and corporations.

The Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine:

  • Is a founding member of the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics committed to improving the practice of occupational and environmental medicine through clinical excellence, information sharing, and collaborative research
  • In partnership with the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and NC State University is one of only sixteen National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOSH) regional centers established by NIOSH to assure an ample supply of well-trained professionals in the area of occupational safety and health
  • Is one of the top comprehensive academic OEM groups in the United States
  • Is composed of a multi-disciplinary team with over 30 years of experience in almost all aspects of occupational and environmental health
  • Provides corporate consulting ranging from development, management, and evaluation of entire occupational health programs to problem-specific, short-term assistance
  • Trains highly skilled physicians through the OEM residency program to serve as leaders in academia, public health agencies, military occupational medicine and as corporate medical directors
  • Works with the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment to provide a master’s degree in environmental management
  • Conducts multi-disciplinary clinical and epidemiological research involving occupational diseases, toxicology, indoor air quality, and biohazard sciences
  • Toxicological assessments
  • Work-related injury and illness treatment
  • Substance abuse awareness
  • Health risk appraisals
  • Injury prevention programs
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Health maintenance exams
  • Disability assessments
  • Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) examinations
  • Worker’s compensation evaluations
  • 24-hour blood and body fluid exposure services
  • Drug testing
  • Medical Review Officers services
  • Job-related immunizations
  • Corporate consulting

Consulting Services

Duke OEM provides comprehensive occupational health services ranging from pre-placement exams, medical surveillance, workers compensation injury care, Occupational Safety and Health Administration-mandated respirator clearance, audiometry, vaccinations, and travel consults. These services also include management and oversight of state, local, and nationally-mandated regulatory programs that impact employee health and safety. Full spectrum industrial hygiene, biologic safety, toxicology risk assessments, ergonomic and employee assistance services are also available. These high quality services have been well received by employees and employers and have been successful in managing risk and reducing costs.

Corporate Consulting

Development, management, and evaluation of entire occupational health programs to problem-specific, short-term assistance.

Ergonomics and Occupational Pain

Recommending appropriate cost-effective changes to jobs and workstations to reduce the risk of injury.

Toxicology Program

Providing toxicological assessments of consumer and commercial products necessary to comply with federal and state laws concerning labeling and worker hazard communication.

Work Ability/Disability

Helping workplaces answer questions regarding the junction between work and health.

Clinical Services

Duke OEM provides evaluations and treatment consistent with applicable regulations, protecting confidentiality appropriately, and providing carefully considered work restrictions and job accommodation advice. Duke OEM offers clinical services at two locations: Duke Employee Occupational Health and Wellness and Duke Occupational Health at RTP.

Duke Employee Occupational Health and Wellness

Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW) serves the entire Duke University and Health System workforce with three closely aligned programs — Employee Occupational Health ClinicsHealthy Duke/LIVE FOR LIFE and the Personal Assistance Service — which emphasize a proactive approach to improving health and productivity and preventing disease. 

Duke Occupational Health at RTP

Providing occupational and environmental services to contracted employers throughout the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park (RTP) area. Services include employment and preventive health exams, work-related injury and illness treatment, drug testing, travel medicine, specialty medical evaluations and more.

Education & Training

Residency Program in Occupational and Environmental Medicine

The major goal of the Residency Program in Occupational and Environmental Medicine is to train ethical, board-certified, occupational physicians who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide occupational and environmental health professional services in a wide variety of settings, including academia, public health agencies, corporate occupational health, and community based clinical occupational medicine. The knowledge and skills necessary to practice preventive medicine and occupational medicine are acquired over the course of a career and lifelong learning skills are emphasized.