Dr. Beth Baker has been a Director on the Board since 2016. Recently, she was elected as President of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). We talked to her about her background in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, her plans during her tenure as ACOEM President, and why she thinks board certification is important.

What do you hope to accomplish in your tenure as President of ACOEM?

As many of our diplomates know, occupational [and environmental] medicine has been underappreciated by the public and by the house of medicine.  The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for excellent occupational and environmental practices to protect workers and the general public.  I am incredibly proud of our diplomates and [Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM)] providers  who are working to keep our workers and the public safe and healthy in the wake of this novel virus.  ACOEM is striving to provide the OEM community with tools and resources to fight the pandemic and aid in safely returning America to work.  We will also continue to work on improving OEM training, increasing the number of OEM providers and increasing the visibility of OEM.

Although Occupational Medicine [was at the time of this interview] the official title of ABPM board certification, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and other organizations have expanded the field to include both Occupational and Environmental Medicine due to increasing awareness that OEM physicians can impact overall worker health, their families and the environment. OEM providers continue to strive to decrease health effects from a variety of both workplace and environmental hazardous exposures, including infectious and chemical hazards.

How did you get into the specialty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine?

After my residency, I became interested in Occupational [and Environmental] Medicine [(OEM)] while practicing general internal medicine. I was intrigued by using population-based approaches and prevention for a variety of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes instead of just treating one patient at a time. I also had a strong interest in toxicology and environmental medicine and loved my MPH coursework and further training in these areas. After completing the HealthPartners OEM residency program, I served as a faculty member and program director for 19 years.

Why did you choose to become board certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and what do you think the value of board certification is?

Board certification defines a specialty. It is universally recognized as the mark of a truly qualified physician who is trained and committed to their field. It is important for my patients and employers to know that they are cared for by an expert specialist. Not all OM physicians are board certified but ongoing board certification helps demonstrate that we stay up to date with the best medical evidence.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy skiing, biking and traveling to new places. I love spending time with my family including my husband, three children and five grandchildren. Having spent most of my life in Minnesota, I spend many cold winter days curled up with a good book.

Any other information you’d like to share about yourself with ABPM Diplomates?

One of the most exciting aspects of OEM is the rich diversity of practice opportunities.  I am continually amazed by the variety of practice settings of my OEM colleague and the breadth and depth of their expertise. While most of my internal medicine residency colleagues have continued to practice clinical medicine, OEM specialist can chose from a multitude of opportunities, practice settings or interest areas to improve worker health and the environment.  I have worked as Employee Health Director for several institutions, medical toxicologist, Chief Medical Officer of a railroad, Program director of an OEM residency program, Fellowship director of a Medical Toxicology fellowship, and as a consultant or medical director to multiple corporations in additional to my clinical practice. Other OEM physicians may work in private OEM clinics, multispecialty groups, academic institutions, governmental agencies, military medicine or  as a corporate medical director, employee health director, consultant, toxicologist, environmental medicine specialist or in other practice opportunities. Many OEM physicians work in multiple areas at the same time or sequentially which results in an amazing fund of knowledge and experience. OEM physicians can address working conditions, the environment, and chemical, biological, physical and psychosocial hazards through a multitude of roles.