Newswise — Chicago, May 5, 2015) The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ACOEM), an international medical society, presented its highest honor, the Knudsen Lifetime Achievement in Occupational and Environmental Medicine Award, to Paul W. Brandt-Rauf, MD, DrPH, ScD, FACOEM, at the Opening Session of the 2015 American Occupational Health Conference in Baltimore, Md., on May 3.

Dr. Brandt-Rauf, Dean at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health, was recognized for his leadership in the field of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) exemplified by outstanding research and excellence in teaching, lecturing, and development of superior educational programs first at Columbia University’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences and as Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Medicine and, since 2008, as Dean at UIC’s School of Public Health. Dr. Brandt-Rauf’s research has focused on environmental carcinogenesis, molecular epidemiology, protein structure-function, gene-environment interactions, cancer prevention, environmental health policy, and environmental health ethics. His teaching interests include environmental health, toxicology, occupational medicine, environmental health ethics, and sustainable development.

He was also lauded for his distinguished service as Editor of ACOEM’s Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM). As editor for the last 23 years, Dr. Brandt-Rauf has brought new emphases to the Journal including a focus on international health as well as health and productivity. Under his leadership, JOEM is internationally recognized as a leading publication in the field of OEM. In addition, he is also honored for his numerous contributions to the scientific literature.

Dr. Brandt-Rauf received his MD, ScD, and DrPH degrees from Columbia University. He is certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in occupational medicine and by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Brandt-Rauf has been a member of ACOEM since 1985 and was elevated to Fellow status in 1988. He is a member of the Council of Scientific Advisors and member and former chair of the Committee on Ethical Practice in OEM. He was the recipient of the College’s 1999 Meritorious Service Award and received the Kehoe Award of Merit in 2001. Dr. Brandt-Rauf is a member of ACOEM’s Central States component and former member and officer of the New York component where he served terms as its president, vice president, and secretary.

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About ACOEM — The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine represents nearly 4,500 physicians specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. Founded in 1916, ACOEM is the nation’s largest medical society dedicated to promoting the health of workers through preventive medicine, clinical care, disability management, research, and education. For more information, visit www.acoem.org.

About the Knudsen Award — The Knudsen Lifetime Achievement in OEM Award, presented annually to an individual who has had a distinguished career in one or more disciplines of occupational medicine, environmental medicine, and/or environmental health, was created in 1938 by William S. Knudsen, President of General Motors (1937-1940), an advocate for worker health and safety who established the award to recognize the value of OEM.