October 2022 NEWSLETTER

A Message From the Board

Hello everyone,

Can you believe 2022 is almost over – AAOHN has had a very exciting year! For anyone who was unable to attend the Town Hall here are some of the accomplishments we shared:

• Development of both online and in person COHN course
• Development of Core curriculum
• Development of respiratory protection online course
• Corporate membership growth
• If there are greater than 5 OHNs in your organization your company is eligible for a discount –
• Completion of salary survey – you can access on ---THE NEW WEBSITE

I have been a member of AAOHN for many years and this is a first for the organization – a totally new website. It will take a few moments to find everything.

• NEW sign on – your username is now the email address tied to your AAOHN account which means if your email has changed first order of business once on the site might be to update your account
• NEW password is needed – so click on that “Forgot my password” the first time you log in
• Take your time and explore - all the information is still on the website it just might look a little different
• And most important of all – if you have any issues, please contact info@aaohn.org

We now have the challenge to make 2023 even more exciting and you can help!

The ballot for the 2023 Board of Directors will be hitting your mailboxes soon – PLEASE vote – it is quick and easy. And think about maybe adding your name next year. We are always looking for members who would like to take a more active role in the organization – I personally am more than willing to mentor anyone. You may contact me via the email provided on the website.

The 2023 AAOHN National Conference WILL be in person in San Antonio, Texas, March 13-15. This will be our first in person conference in three years, so I am really excited to see everyone. We can top all of our achievements of 2022 but attending, networking, learning and enjoying each other’s company so please mark your calendars NOW. Registration opens in November!

Thank you and enjoy the fall – March will be here soon, and we will be enjoying each other’s company

Yolanda C. Lang, Dr.PH, MSN, CRNP, COHN, FAAOHN

President Elect, AAOHN

From the AAOHN Foundation

Happy Fall, AAOHN members! 

As we get into my favorite time of year – using the fireplace, decorating for the holidays, and breaking out the fleece jackets, I think back to the past few Octobers where COVID-19 dominated almost every conversation both at work and at home. Now that we have settled into the “new normal,” for the first time since 2019, I attended an in-person conference – the 3rd annual Total Worker Health™ Symposium at the National Institute of Health (NIH). I truly enjoyed hearing about the occupational health research that has been recently published and would strongly encourage each of you to consider all of the great work you are doing – and how you could share it with your peers by publishing! Here’s the list of the 2022 AAOHN Foundation grant winners! This could be you!

• Medique Products New Investigator Research Grant: Ashley Edgerly and Dania Abu-Alhaija
• UPS Foundation OHN Research Grant: Dawn Mopkins

There are several opportunities to get funding for your research through the AAOHN Foundation, which was created to enable occupational and environmental health professionals to improve worker health and safety by preventing workplace illnesses and injuries. Right now, we have research grants available!

When you make a donation or purchase a commemorative pin, the funds are invested in our peers that apply for these awards each year. 

In our efforts to fundraise for these grant and scholarship offerings, please check out the 2022 AAOHN Foundation pins! Cost is $15 for one pin, two for $25, or three for $40. 2020, 2021, and 2022 pins are available for purchase here. 

All of my best,

Lara G. Stahl, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, COHN-S

AAOHN Foundation Trustee

Episode 4

Dive In: The Occupational Health LPN Community

In the latest OHN Pulse episode, host Jennylynn Balmer, MPA, BSN, RN, CSP, COHN-S, FAAOHN, sits down with guest Candance Wilmoth, RN at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, to discuss her role in the LPN community. 

Candace's responsibilities as an LPN in the poultry manufacturing industry range from clinical care of lacerations or repetitive motion injuries, health promotion, injury and illness prevention, return to work protocols, employee pre-employment drug screens and post offer assessments. The day to day nursing care varies but, the setting allows for additional use of critical thinking skills and implementation of new processes. Being the nurse responsible for over 700 employees, her skill set and experiences constantly expand. One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is the ability to provide a safe environment while building trust with fellow employees. She is always on the lookout to update the best practices within her industry setting and credits the great support of her employer. 

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