Each year, The Synergist asks candidates for the AIHA Board of Directors to participate in a candidates’ forum. This year’s candidates were asked to respond to the following question:
AIHA recently launched four initiatives to advance OEHS science and practice to better protect workers and communities: Defining the Science, Standards of Care, State of the Art vs. State of the Practice, and Improving Exposure Judgment Accuracy. Which of those four initiatives excites you the most? Why? How would you use your time on the Board to advance that initiative?
The candidates’ responses to this question appear on the following pages. For more information on the initiatives to advance OEHS science and practice, visit AIHA's website.
This year’s ballot includes two candidates for vice president, two for treasurer-elect, and four for director. Instructions on how to vote in the election will be emailed to members this month. For more information, please contact Thursa Pecoraro.
VICE PRESIDENT
Ernest P. Chiodo, MD, JD, MPH, MS, MBA, CIH
Physician/Attorney/Toxicologist/
Biomedical Engineer/
Certified Industrial Hygienist
Clinton Township, Michigan
I am most excited about the AIHA initiative “Defining the Science.” Industrial hygiene is a profession defined by data-driven judgment, not unlike a physician. Industrial hygiene plays a central role in protecting the health of persons potentially exposed to hazards in the workplace and in the environment. I have during my career heard of the industrial hygienist as being the “exposure doctor.” Industrial hygienists have specialized skills needed in assessing and controlling exposures to occupational and environmental hazards. It is my vision to communicate the central role of industrial hygienists concerning exposure to other professional groups including physicians, nurses, engineers, toxicologists, and business managers. In addition to improving the health of potentially exposed persons, this will also enhance the reputation of industrial hygienists and AIHA. Since I have a multi-disciplinary background, I will be able to bridge the gap between the various professions benefiting from industrial hygiene services. Educating physicians and other professionals that industrial hygienists have specialized expertise concerning exposure requires a multi-disciplinary background. It takes a physician-industrial hygienist to educate physicians that industrial hygienists are the “exposure doctors.” My multi-disciplinary background is at the service of AIHA.
VICE PRESIDENT
Bradley King, PhD, MPH, CIH
CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service
Senior Industrial Hygienist, NIOSH Western
States Division
Denver, Colorado
The four initiatives constitute a forward-looking approach to raise the bar in our practice of industrial hygiene. Of these, “Improving Exposure Judgment Accuracy” (IEJA) excites me the most. It is the one initiative that every member can engage in today to immediately improve how we make and defend worker protection decisions. Changing our culture to one where IEJA tools and techniques are the expectation rather than the exception is needed. In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear writes that changing a habit requires “creating an environment where doing the right thing is as easy as possible.” What’s wonderful is that AIHA has developed and freely offers all the necessary IEJA training and tools that can be used today to make this change as easy as possible. I recently arranged and attended at my work an in-person PDC taught by John Mulhausen on IEJA, like the one AIHA offers online. Since then, I sat for the Exposure Decision Analysis Registry exam, and I will challenge others to do the same. I would use my time on the Board to be an outspoken advocate for others to learn and use these tools. I plan to work with and support AIHA’s IEJ Advisory Group in creating opportunities to help members, from long-term practitioners to students learning our profession, embrace these important skills.