Occupational & Environmental Services

Healthcare services and education for a safer workplace environment

The Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) at ECMC is ground zero for all your occupational and environmental health concerns. While our main objective is to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries, COEM provides a diverse range of clinical services, including diagnostic programs, early detection, treatment, workers’ compensation and disability management, referral, social work, and wellness in the workplace.

Our specialized team provides necessary medical care to workers who are injured, impaired, or ill as a result of workplace factors, such as exposure to asbestos, radiation, noise, smoke, or toxic chemicals, as well as physical injuries caused by any other job hazard. The center manages the broad spectrum of diseases that may result from work exposures, including:

• Chronic lung diseases, such as COPD and asthma
• Cancer of the lung, bladder, or liver
• Skin conditions
• Neurological illnesses
• Musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and spine disease
• Chemical sensitization and allergies
• Hearing loss 
• Reproductive complications

A leader in occupational and environmental medicine

COEM was established with the mission of providing a state-of-the-art medical resource center for occupational and environmental health serving Western New York counties. The Center is located within ECMC, one of the most respected comprehensive healthcare providers in the region.

The COEM medical director is a highly experienced clinician who is certified by the American Board in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The director is assisted by well-trained healthcare providers, certified social workers, uniquely trained nursing staff, and other specialized support staff and is backed by an advisory board representing the community at large.

Work and environmental health services for all

The center is open for all working women and men of Western New York. Services are provided to active workers, retirees, disabled individuals, agricultural workers, refugees, immigrants, and the unemployed. The COEM works with individual patients, employers, unions, attorneys, community physicians, and other health providers to improve worker health and safety and reduce exposure to dangerous conditions and environmental threats.

COEM at ECMC offers the most comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and management of work and environmental disorders

• Easily accessible, spacious, modern facility located on the ECMC Health Campus
• State-of-the-art diagnostic and testing equipment for breathing, hearing, vision, and the cardiovascular system
• Caring and highly trained staff
• Wide range of ancillary and support services
• Referral network of specialists within and outside ECMC
• Processing and support for workers’ compensation claims
• Certification for required exams such as DOT, abatement work, and use of personal protective equipment
• Focused training and education programs
• Industrial hygiene support for exposure assessment
• Social and mental health counseling and intervention
• Multiple language capabilities through multinational interpreters
• Coverage under most WNY insurance carriers and financial counseling and support for the uninsured