FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Release No. SPR-08-220-01 
   
Carol Tobin, AIHA Meetings and Education        
(703) 846-0745; ctobin@aiha.org

Melissa Hurley, AIHA Communications
(703) 846-0740; mhurley@aiha.org

AIHA Recognizes AIHce 2008 Keynote Speakers

Jeremy Rifkin, President, Foundation for Economic Trends

Following the weekend educational program, Jeremy Rifkin will officially commence the conference Monday morning, June 2, and discuss “The Future of Work.” Attendees do not want to miss this fascinating presentation by renowned economic futurist and a frequent guest on numerous television programs, including Face the Nation, Nightline, 20/20, Larry King Live, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. Anticipate future challenges through Rifkin’s insight on the scientific and technological changes impacting tomorrow’s economy, work force, and environment.

• Uncover the bold changes ahead in the nature of employment
• Gain powerful insight into what these global changes may mean to IH and to business in general
• Think proactively about how energy resources could greatly impact employees, students, workers, and clients

Capture the vision and foresight to anticipate the issues of tomorrow through Rifkin’s provocative presentation.

Jeffrey Pino, President, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

The Tuesday, June 3, general session keynote introduces “The IH Value Proposition.” Join Tom Grumbles, manager, product safety and occupational health for Sasol North America Inc., and Dave Eherts, vice president, environmental health and safety for Sikorsky Helicopters, for a lively, informative, and thought-provoking discussion about the value industrial hygienists add to an organization’s bottom line and the important role IH professionals have in communicating this value throughout the organization. Joining Grumbles and Eherts on stage will be Jeffrey Pino and several other prominent IH and business leaders who will share their thoughts, ideas, success stories, and failures. Three IH value proposition case studies will also be presented in a lively multimedia format.

In this first time ever presentation, attendees will hear about specific ways in which they can communicate with their organizations – up and down the management chain – the value of IH programs not only for worker health and safety but also for positive bottom-line impact. Conference-goers will walk away from this session with information that will help them become a catalyst for promoting the value of IH programs and change within their companies or organizations.
Several breakout sessions are scheduled throughout the week where individuals can learn more about the framework, tools, methodology, and conclusions of the Value of the Profession Study.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) gratefully acknowledge:

• ORC Worldwide for development of the framework and tools for the study
• EG&G as the general contractor
• The Value of the Profession Member Advisory Group

Robin Herbert, MD, Director, World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program Data and Coordination Center, Mount Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine

The keynote address for Wednesday, June 4, will be given by Robin Herbert, MD, on the “Occupational Health Impact of the World Trade Center Disaster: Lessons Learned.” This session is all about using experiences, tools, input, and expertise to forge new pathways toward a greater impact on occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS).

The World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring Program provides free, periodic, standardized medical assessments; mental health assessments; clinical referrals; benefits counseling; and occupational general health education to patients who were involved in the rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero. As director of the Data and Coordination Center, Herbert is leading the analysis of data from more than 19,000 patient examinations, and she continues to work with city, state, and federal officials, labor unions, employers, and others to ensure that WTC responders receive long-term evaluation and care. Herbert will share the lessons learned in diagnosing and treating the WTC responders, and the broader implications for ensuring the occupational health of emergency response workers in the future.

Three small words that have significant meaning for OEHS professionals today and in the future mark the theme for AIHce 2008: Vision. Value. Impact. AIHce is co-sponsored by AIHA and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). AIHce has added a host of new, innovative programming to the 2008 conference schedule.

These top-notch programs are being offered against the backdrop of Minneapolis, the land of 10,000 things to do. Minneapolis will be alive in June 2008 with outdoor street festivals against a backdrop of spectacular natural surroundings along the Mississippi River. Frommer’s named Minneapolis to its list of “Top Travel Destinations for 2007.” With the beautiful layout of the city, its new buildings designed by celebrity architects, and a profusion of urban energy, the city made the list alongside top-tier international cities. Many hotels, restaurants, and attractions are within short walking distance to the Minneapolis Convention Center, making it easy for attendees to experience and enjoy the city while at AIHce 2008.

For more information, including a schedule of planned professional development courses and education sessions and registration information, visit www.aihce2008.org. The site now lets you search sessions by day, type, and topic. If you have not heard the buzz about AIHce 2008, you soon will. Don’t miss the best education program of 2008!

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NOTE: Qualified editorial representatives are invited to attend AIHce free of charge. Please fill out the press registration form   or visit http://www.aihce2008.org/press.htm to pre-register for the conference. Please fill out and return the press registration form, and provide me with one of the attachments that we request to verify your credentials.

Founded in 1939, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is the premier association of industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. AIHA’s 10,600 members play a crucial role on the front line of worker health and safety every day. Members represent a cross-section of industry, private business, labor, government, and academia. For more information on AIHA, visit www.aiha.org.