The annual PRP symposium was held on October 13-14 in the University of Cincinnati’s Proctor Hall, Nursing College. The first talk about Total Worker Health® was given by Dr. Anita Schill from NIOSH. This comprehensive approach to worker health seemed to resonate with attendees, but many challenges still need to be overcome as the program develops. Many people, including myself, went in with the common misunderstanding that it is a wellness program, but we all came away with a better understanding of its comprehensive nature by the end of Dr. Schill’s presentation.

Talks from the 2015-16 PRP awardees over the two day symposium covered a wide range of topics: bacteria in metal-working fluids, traffic-related air pollution, oral microbiome of firefighters, heaters in winter garments used for PPE, detecting/tracking wildfires with unmanned aerial vehicles, acceptance and commitment therapy, and work stressor-vulnerability models related to alcohol consumption.

Likewise, the posters that were presented by the 2016-17 PRP Awardees described project plans in a variety of areas: posture and spine loading on inclined surfaces, air sampling of cyanobacteria, factors affecting nursing assistant retention, traffic-related air pollution, monitoring firefighter health and hazards, capture of microbeads in water treatment, post-retirement employment of nurses, ergonomics in veterinary care, and N95 respirator performance in home health care.

The symposium gave many attendees the opportunity to interact with each other as well as learn about new research areas. This year seemed to be another successful event!

Thank you to AIHA and PRP Steering Committee members for your donations! Without them, the networking picnic would not be possible.
 

At the end of the symposium awards were presented; two for people’s choice favorite poster and podium presenters and two that a panel of judges selected for best podium and poster presenters. The award winners were:

Award for Distinguished Podium Presentation: Seyram Gbordzoe
Seyram Gbordzoe, winner for Distinguished Podium Presentation

Award for Distinguished Poster Presentation: Samuel Miller
Samuel Miller, winner for Distinguished Poster Presentation

People's Choice Award for Distinguished Podium Presentation: Jessica Borushok
Jessica Borushok receiving her award for People’s Choice Podium Presentation

People's Choice for Distinguished Poster Presentation: Jennie Cox
Jennie Cox receiving her award for People’s Choice Poster Presentation