7:30 - 9:00 am
Breakfast with the Board — Evolving Leadership
Come share your leadership challenges and connect with peers in the industry! Join the AAOHN Board of Directors for an energizing morning. This is your chance to:
- 🍳 Enjoy breakfast while engaging in meaningful conversation
- 🤝 Network with fellow leaders and professionals in occupational health nursing
- 💡 Share your leadership challenges and gain fresh perspectives
- 📈 Build connections that strengthen our community and advance the profession
Additional registration is required to attend.
9:00 - 10:30 am
Practice Exchanges
- Advanced Practice RN Exchange
- Safety & Environmental Health Exchange
- New OHN Exchange
- Case Management Exchange
- Legislative Affairs Advocacy Update Exchange
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Session
Details forthcoming.
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch and Networking With Partners
Partner Pavillion
1:30 - 3:00 pm
Concurrent Session 1
207 | Navigating Legislation: Key Insights for Occupational Health Nurses on Federal and State Policies
Ann Marie Loiseau, DNP, MS, BSN, RN, CSN, CCM
This session provides occupational health nurses with essential knowledge and tools to effectively engage with the legislative process at both federal and state levels. Attendees will explore the differences between how laws are created in Congress versus state legislatures, gaining a clear understanding of the pathways a bill takes to become law. The presentation will also highlight trusted resources — such as government websites and databases — for tracking legislation, researching policymakers, and staying informed on policies that impact nursing and population health. Participants will learn how to interpret language and markings in statutes and bills, with a focus on those related to nursing, occupational and community health. Finally, the session will outline key considerations for advocacy, equipping nurses to confidently support or oppose legislation that affects their practice and employee outcomes. Through practical examples and real-time tools, this session empowers nurses to become informed and influential voices in health policy.
208 A | Integrating Occupational Health, Primary Care, and Total Worker Health: A Strategic Approach to Workforce Well-Being
Kyla Frank, MSN, NP-C, COHN/CM
Despite increasing awareness of the connection between employee health, workplace safety, and healthcare outcomes, many nursing professionals lack formal training in integrating occupational health services with primary care and acute care delivery. This gap limits their ability to proactively address workplace risks, manage work-related injuries within the broader context of individual health, and contribute to strategic workforce health initiatives.
208 B | Improving Employees’ Utilization of EAP using the Iowa Model: An Evidence-Based Practice Project
Kera Studer, BSN, RN
Carolyn Smith, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAOHN
Amy Thornberry, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, COHN-S
Occupational health nurses (OHNs) can play a key role in promoting employee health including use of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). However, occupational health nurses need to know why employees do or do not make use of employer provided benefits such as EAPs. In addition to sharing current scientific literature about EAP utilization, strategies for healthcare professionals to enhance employee utilization of EAPs will be shared.
209 | Preparing for a Recovery-Friendly Workplace: A Comprehensive Approach from Prevention through Crisis Management and Return-to-Duty
Shanna S. Dunbar, BSN, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Mindy Guillory BSN, RN, COHN-S/CM, CEAP, SAP
More organizations are embracing the Recovery Friendly Workplace model, and Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) often play a key role in developing and implementing Substance Misuse Programs. Traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are not always meeting the needs of today’s workforce — most employees require 12–15 sessions to resolve issues, rather than the typical three or four. By exploring a comprehensive new program, OHNs can address mental health in a more accessible and effective way, helping to prevent future problems and manage underlying root causes. This session will also examine the worker’s journey after a positive drug test, including participation in a Substance Abuse Program (SAP) and the Return-to-Duty process.
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Concurrent Session 2
210 | Empowering Occupational Health Nurse Leaders: Embracing Emotional Intelligence in Diverse Settings
Stephen R. Kalb, RN, MSN-ED, DNP
Empowering OHN leaders with strong emotional intelligence enables them to navigate the complexity of the modern workplace while enhancing well-being and productivity. This presents a clear opportunity for innovation, as OHNs increasingly navigate complex and varied environments — including industrial sites, healthcare facilities, and corporate offices — each with distinct emotional and interpersonal dynamics. These roles demand flexible, emotionally intelligent leadership.
211 | Interdisciplinary Health: Providing Exceptional Occupational Health Nursing Care in the Entertainment Industry
Gladys Happer, MSN, RN, FNP-C, COHN-S
Pei Gan, BSN, RN, COHN
Mimi Goss, MSN, RN, CNL
Join this session to learn more about occupational health nursing in the unique setting of the entertainment industry, and the roles an interdisciplinary team play in care management.
212 | Managing Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures at an Academic Medical Center
Andrew Gottlieb, MSN/MPH, FNP-BC
Healthcare worker (HCW) exposures to infectious blood and body fluids are common and can have a significant impact on their physical and psychological wellbeing. In addition, to the direct impact on the worker, there are potential impacts to their other family members (e.g. family planning considerations), impact to coworkers and operations (e.g. time away from work for self-care), and impacts to the patient (additional bloodwork for the benefit of the injured employee). This presentation will provide the learner with up-to-date information regarding the medical management of both routine and complex exposures.
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Poster Session
PS1 | Hair Nicotine Uptake Levels & Worker Well-Being Among Long-Haul Truck Drivers: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study
Cara Harris, PhD candidate, BSN, RN
PS2 | Bending, Not Breaking: Revolutionizing Injury Prevention at Rady Children's Hospital
Jennifer Mortimer, MSN, RN
PS3 | Advancing Occupational Health Nursing Through Evidence-Based Nursing Protocols
April Loeffler, MSN, RN
PS4 | Carpet Installers’ Voices on Their Occupational Health and Safety Issues
Sandra Domeracki, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, COHN-S, FAAOHN, PhD candidate
PS5 | A Prospective Analysis of Associations Between Sleep Behaviors and Reported Quality of Care in Public Sector Healthcare Workers
Yuan Zhang, PhD, RN, FAAOHN
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Partner Pavilion Welcome Reception
8:00 - 9:00 am
Concurrent Session 3
300 | Beyond the Usual Suspects: Could MCAS Be Behind Your Worker’s Mysterious Symptoms and Absenteeism?
Ann Zaia, PhD, CNP, ScM, MSN, MHA, CHE, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Nicole M. Zaia, PhD(c), MHA, BS
Occupational health nurses and nurse practitioners are frequently the first clinical contact for workers who present with vague, multisystem complaints such as fatigue, flushing, dizziness, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, gastrointestinal upset, shortness of breath, and unexplained skin rashes. These symptoms are often dismissed as anxiety, viral syndromes, or idiopathic—yet in a growing number of cases, they may represent Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a poorly understood but increasingly recognized medical condition which may be affecting up to 17% of the global population.
301 | Medical Tourism at the Workplace: Supporting Your Employee Traveling Internationally for Medical or Dental Care
Gail Rosselot, MS, MPH, APRN- BC, COHN-S, FFTM, RCPS (Glasg), FAANP, FISTM, FATHNA
As medical tourism hubs expand worldwide, global facility accreditation increases, and US health care costs rise, more employees are predicted to seek overseas medical and dental care. Occupational health nurses will want to educate themselves and their employees about the medical tourism process and risks to best ensure quality care outcomes, employees returning fit to work, and no transfer of international post-op pathogens into the workplace. Learners will be able to cite important pretravel steps to ensure best care for their employees as well as identify recognized post- encounter infection risks of medical tourism.
302 | Ethical Decision-making in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety: A Comparative Case Study Approach
Elizabeth Anne Thomas, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAOHN
Mark Katchen, MBA, MS, CIH-CP, FAIHA
A discussion of the nursing and AAOHN code of ethics, and the professional challenges
9:15 - 10:45 am
Concurrent Session 4
303 | Musculoskeletal Micro Sessions
303 A | Head….Shoulders, Knees and Toes: A Holistic Approach to Musculoskeletal Assessment in the Occupational Health Setting
Kim Olszewski, DNP, CRNP, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN, FAANP, FAAN
Erin Bucher, DNP, CRNP, COHN-S
Attend this session for an informative presentation on MSK disorders, and the interprofessional collaboration needed to manage employee assessment and treatment.
303 B | An OHN's Guide to Strength and Mobility to Reduce Risk of Occupational Injury
Julia Tolosa, BSN, RN, COHN, CCM, COHC
Move beyond traditional injury management by taking a proactive approach. Improving strength and mobility in the workplace can not only decrease risk of occupational injury but also improve mental well-being and the overall health and longevity of the workforce.
304 | Safety and Total Worker Health Micro Sessions
304 A | Safety Dance – Improving Interprofessional Collaboration between Occupational Health and Industrial Safety
Michael J. Potosky, APRN, MSN, FNP-BC
This session will enhance participants’ understanding of the Safety Department’s roles, priorities, and areas of focus. Attendees will also learn practical strategies and communication techniques to more effectively convey occupational health topics and materials to Safety Team members, strengthening collaboration and shared decision-making.
304 B | Total Worker Health® Participatory Initiatives to Address Stress and Burnout: Perceptions of Correctional Health Services Unit
Mazen El Ghaziri, PhD, MPH, RN
Leslie Bumpus, DDS, MPH, MA
Shelby Taylor, RDH
Caitlyn O'Hara, LCSW
Theresa (Tess) Parker, M.S.
Healthcare workers, including nurses, in correctional settings experience high stress and burnout driven by the unique challenges of these environments. This presentation highlights findings from the Health Improvement through Employee Control (HITEC) program, a participatory initiative utilizing the Total Worker Health (TWH) approach. Led by correctional healthcare staff, including union representation, the program employed the Intervention Design and Analysis Scorecard (IDEAS) tool to develop interventions addressing stress and burnout. Solutions included streamlined patient care processes, rotating nursing schedules, decompression spaces, and staff recognition activities like monthly celebrations. Survey results from 47 participants revealed significant workplace stress and high burnout levels. While HITEC initiatives showed varying impacts, findings suggest that surface-level interventions alone may not fully address these challenges. This study underscores the need for systemic changes to enhance well-being and reduce stress for correctional healthcare workers.
304 C | Hazard Communication Standard Update
Mary Gene Ryan, MPH, RN, COHN-S (ret), CSP (ret), FAAOHN
On May 20, 2024, OSHA published the updated the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7. On October 9, 2024, the Hazard Communication Standard was corrected based on errors noted. The updated standard's implementation for the various changes begins 1/19/26. Is your business prepared for these changes? How will the changes affect your employees? How do you know what to comply with until all changes are implemented? Come get this update and understand how the changes will affect your employees.
305 | Mental Health Micro Sessions
305 A | Enhancing Psychological Safety in Academia: The Role of Mental Health First Aid Training for University Faculty
Ilknur Mizrahi, Asist. Prof. in Public Health Nursing
In high-stress academic workplaces, mental health challenges are often underreported and overlooked. This engaging session explores how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can equip university faculty with the skills to recognize mental distress and create psychologically safe work environments. Learn how occupational health nurses can champion MHFA as a proactive strategy to promote well-being, reduce stigma, and influence institutional culture—far beyond clinical settings. Ideal for OHNs seeking innovative approaches to mental health education and workplace safety.
305 B | Mental Wellness at Work: Practical Tips and Strategies for OHNs
Sandra Cinque, RN, BA, COHN-s/CM, FAAOHN
Kristen Young, RN, COHN, COHC
Rising stress, burnout and mental health claims are all on the rise no matter where you are working. This course will help address some of the mental health situations that occupational health nurses may encounter. As well as highlighting the importance of prevention and education.
10:45 am - 12:45 pm
Lunch and Networking With Partners
Partner Pavilion
12:45 - 1:45 pm
Poster Session 2
PS5 | Global Trend of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Truck Drivers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Wan-chin Kuo, PhD, RN
PS6 | When the Nurse Coach Becomes the Client: How I Restored Balance and Set Goals on a Healing Journey
Ellen Dermody, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN, CG, NC, BC
PS7 | Legacy Lead Dust from Pipe Dope: A Hidden Occupational Hazard
Cheryl Rook RN, COHN(C), COHN-S, CRSP, DOHS, Dip. (McMaster) Env. Health
PS8 | Defining Occupational Stress in Emergency Nursing: A Conceptual Approach
Jennifer Ware, DNP, FNP-BC, RN
PS9 | The Changing Landscape: A 30-Year Analysis of Return-to-Work Durations
Gage Koeller, MPH
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Concurrent Session 5
315 | Vaping in the Workplace: From Evidence to Action in Occupational Health Policy
Sheila Quinn, PhD, RN
Kim Olszewski DNP, CRNP, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN, FAANP, FAAN
This session will discuss the findings from 2024 study on vaping and address gaps in occupational health nurses knowledge and attitudes as well as barriers to workplace policies. In addition, attendees will learn strategies and change frameworks to advance support of smoke and vape free workplaces.
316 | Obesity and GLP-1 Medications
Steven Marks, DNP, RN, APN, COHN-S, FAAOHN
This session explores the implement a GLP-1 program in the workplace with Pharmacology content offered during the discussion.
317 | Workers’ Compensation- How to optimize Workers’ Compensation outcomes. Model: Self-Insured, Employer-based Occupation Health Service and a Third Party Claims Adjuster team
Carin Bennett-Rizzo, RN, MS, COHN-S
Leslie Giroux, BA
Workers’ Compensation claims and outcomes can have significant cost and workforce implications for the employee and employer. It is essential to find the right strategies between OHS clinicians and the Claims Adjusters, as it relates to communication, case management, claims decisions, and leadership engagement. These strategies can make a significant impact on clinical and cost outcomes. We will discuss the different models of workers’ compensation insurance and further discuss the relationship between an employer based OHS clinician team and the claims adjuster team, in a self-insured model.
3:15 - 5:15 pm
AAOHN Foundation and ABOHN General Session and Awards Ceremony
318 | Strengthening Our Profession: A Panel on OHN Certification and Review Course Success
Catherine Pepler, RN, MBA, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN
Kathleen Golden, DNP, ANP-BS, COHN-S, CCM, FAAOHN, FAANP
Betty Sanisidro, DNP, MSN, COHN-S, APHN-BC, FAAOHN
Michele Willis, BSN, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Join this session for a panel discussion on the professional and organizational benefits of national board certification for occupational health nurses, and learn about the partnership of the AAOHN Foundation and the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses.
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Networking Foundation Event Together with ABOHN | Advancing Together: Comedy, Connection, and a Cause
Join the AAOHN Foundation and ABOHN for a lively evening of celebration, connection, comedy, and giving back! This special event brings together occupational health nurses for networking, laughter, and fun—all while supporting the future of our profession. Enjoy an evening filled with comedy, games, raffles, and awards recognizing outstanding contributions from both ABOHN and the Foundation. Together, we’ll invest in our future, laugh and energize each other, and advance occupational health nursing. Come laugh, connect, and invest in a brighter future for OHN — because advancing together makes us stronger. This event is free for all conference attendees, but pre-registration is required.
8:30 - 9:30 am
Catherine Dempsey Lecture
AI, Automation, and the Human Mind: Navigating Cognitive Risk and Mental Strain in the Modern Workplace
Sheila Quinn, PhD, RN
Kim Olszewski, DNP, CRNP, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN, FAANP, FAAN
The Catherine Dempsey Lecture explores emerging psychosocial risks in today’s AI-driven work environments, focusing on the growing challenges of mental strain and cognitive fatigue associated with technology-enabled work.
9:45 - 10:45 am
Concurrent Session 6
401 | Every Minute Counts: Preparing for and Responding to Workplace Injuries with Risk of Major Bleeding
Allison Jones, PhD, RN, CNS, CNE
Stephanie Hammond, DNP, CRNP, ANP-BC, COHN-S, FAAOHN
Karen Heaton, PhD, COHN-S, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAAOHN
Workplace injuries commonly occur, the most severe of which may lead to death within 5 minutes due to bleeding if effective intervention is not immediately provided. Despite the frequency of workplace injuries, training and materials for bleeding control intervention are not standard across occupational settings. The purpose of this presentation is twofold: to highlight the frequency of people injured in workplace settings that may have benefitted from early bleeding control intervention based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Severe Injury Report database, and to provide Stop the Bleed training with recommendations for placement of bleeding control supplies in workplace settings.
402 | Mind the Gaps: Closing Loops in Occupational Health Case Management
Melissa Johnson, MSN, RN, CCM
Bridget Zipp
Susan L Zarzycki, RN, COHN, CM
Understanding the case management process from initial and ongoing communication with the injured worker, to establishing yourself as the gate keeper of the claim and in the community. As well as identifying key players and being aware of the cost savings you can accomplish i.e. ability to schedule diagnostics and adjuster contracts.
403 | The Physiology of Calm: Integrating Breathwork and Mindfulness into Occupational Health Clinical Practice
Lynn Camera, RNC, CNRN, HC
Explore the science and practice of breathwork in this interactive, evidence-based session designed specifically for occupational health nurses. Learn how simple breathing techniques can help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, improve focus, reduce injury, and support faster recovery for your patients. Through guided practice and real-world clinical applications, you’ll gain practical skills to confidently integrate breathwork into occupational health visits. Whether you're managing return-to-work cases or supporting employees coping with anxiety and chronic conditions, this session offers a powerful, low-cost tool to enhance care, build resilience, and improve outcomes in the workplace.
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
AAOHN General Session: CSI: Occupational Health
Stacey Mitchell, DNP, MBA, MEd, RN, AFN-C, FAAN
In this session, the presenter will walk attendees through a unique nursing role, that of the Occupational Health Nurse in a death investigation at the workplace.
12:00 - 12:15 pm
AAOHN Closing Ceremony