The University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) has been a center for training in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) since 1977. Graduates of our program are leaders in environmental and occupational medicine in academics, government agencies, NGOs, and corporations. The UCSF OEM training program is accredited by ACGME and provides the knowledge and qualifications required for Board Certification in Occupational Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.
Description of Training
The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program typically entails two years of training. In the first year, Fellows obtain a Masters in Public Health (MPH) at the University of California at Berkeley. The year at Berkeley provides excellent training in occupational and environmental epidemiology, public policy, environmental health sciences, health behavior, health education, biostatistics, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and toxicology. Trainees attend classes and begin a research project during the first year, while participating in clinical activities in occupational and environmental medicine at UCSF. Physicians who already have an MPH degree can apply for entry directly into the second year of the training program.
The second year focuses on supervised practical training. The practicum year involves training time in clinics; local, state, federal or international governmental agencies; NGOs; academic; consulting; and industry settings. Trainees participate in patient care activities in university and community-based clinics for occupational or environmental injuries and illnesses, infectious disease prevention services, toxicology consultations, and placement and surveillance examinations of workers. The training includes site visits to various workplace and community settings to evaluate occupational and environmental health risks.
The rotations and site visits are supplemented by weekly clinical case conferences, biweekly grand rounds, research seminars and journal clubs. Trainees also design and complete a 1-2 year research project investigating a topic of interest to them in environmental or occupational medicine. Research opportunities in occupational and environmental lung injury, ergonomics/cumulative trauma injury, neurotoxicology, injury epidemiology, heavy metal toxicity, and environmental health are available.
Our program has part-time training opportunities for physicians who already have an MPH degree. The program is individually tailored to meet the requirements of board certification while also working within the schedule of a part-time practice. Individuals who are interested in this track are encouraged to contact us directly to inquire whether they may qualify for part-time training. Part-time trainees are expected to provide their own salary support and contribute toward the costs of their training.
Depending on the interests of the resident or fellow, the training program can be tailored toward any of the following career directions: (1) Academic occupational/environmental medicine with a focus on developing a research and teaching career; (2) Clinical occupational medicine focused on developing and managing a full-time clinical practice; or (3) Public health policy focused on understanding regulatory policy in environmental or occupational health and implementing or influencing these policies. In addition, we are actively developing opportunities in international environmental and occupational health through partners throughout the world who offer month-long rotations for our trainees.
Faculty and Resources for Training
Faculty of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine provide services in the UCSF/Mt. Zion Occupational Medicine Faculty Practice and Multidisciplinary Clinic, at Kaiser Permanente, and at the Northern California Poison Control Center. Our faculty has affiliations with pulmonary medicine, orthopedic surgery, toxicology, dermatology, industrial hygiene, bioengineering and occupational health nursing. Close ties are maintained with the State of California Department of Public Health, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the World Health Organization.
The OEM residency and fellowship program is directed by Gina Solomon, MD, MPH, and Sarah Jewell, MD, MPH.
Our OEM training program is multidisciplinary, including extensive interactions with students in occupational and environmental health nursing, industrial hygiene, and ergonomics. An industrial hygienist and occupational health nurse practitioners are an integral part of the multidisciplinary staff at the UCSF Mt. Zion Occupational Health Clinic, with a shared responsibility for training industrial hygiene and occupational health nursing students. Information resources include libraries with extensive holdings and the latest in information technology.
Salary and Benefits
Competitive with similar residency and fellowship programs in the U.S.
Who Should Apply
Physicians who have had primary care training (usually internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine) and are interested in opportunities for academic, government, or community careers in occupational and environmental medicine. Physicians who have only completed a clinical postgraduate year (PGY 1), but who have a demonstrated strong commitment to occupational or environmental medicine will also be considered. Combined training programs with pulmonary medicine and with medical toxicology are also available.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted in either a paper format, or via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Application materials must be received (or posted on ERAS) by October 1st to receive full consideration. A complete application consists of the following:
- A completed paper or ERAS application; including a 1-2 page essay statement describing your interest and experience in Occupational and/or Environmental Medicine
- A certified original copy of your medical school transcript
- A Dean's letter and three letters of recommendation
The same review process will be applied to applications received directly in paper form or obtained via the ERAS. Qualified candidates will be invited to visit UCSF at their own expense for interviews.
1. Paper Application: Click on this link to access the UCSF OEM application form and instructions. Application materials should be mailed to the Program Coordinator or attached as a PDF document and emailed to: rattleym@medsfgh.ucsf.edu.
2. Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) : This year, some Occupational Medicine and other Preventive Medicine residency programs are transitioning to the ERAS system. ERAS permits applicants to compile their application materials in a central secure web location such that each of their selected training programs can access the documents directly, starting in early September. There is a fee to applicants for this service. For more general information about ERAS visit: http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm. Our program is listed under Preventive Medicine residencies.
Additional Applications Needed:
- All applicants to the two-year training program must also complete a separate application to the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health MPH or MS degree program. The deadline for application to UC Berkeley is December 1st .
- All full-time training applicants must also apply to the Occupational Physicians Scholarship Fund (OPSF) . The deadline for application for the OPSF is the first week of November.
Additional questions may be answered at our Frequently Asked Questions page. Other questions may be addressed to:
Mary Rattley, Program Coordinator
Occupational Medicine Residency and Fellowship Program
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital
1001 Potrero Ave, Bldg 30, Suite 3500
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tel: 415-206-5427
Fax: 415-206-8949
E-mail: rattleym@medsfgh.ucsf.edu
Applications are complete when we have: (1) a completed application form; with a one-page essay statement describing your interest in Occupational and/or Environmental Medicine (2) a certified original copy of your medical school transcript (3) a Dean's letter; and three letters of recommendation.
Application Materials for Download:
Letter to Prospective Applicants from the Residency Directors
Application Form