FALL ASSEMBLY: CURRENT TOPICS IN OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

SATURDAY, October 10, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Chicago - Meeting Venue:  Uncommon Ground | Wrigleyville
3800 N. Clark Street  
Chicago, IL 60613

Program Description: The Chicago Occupational and Environmental Medical Society presents these lectures on current topics in occupational and environmental health. The curriculum is designed for occupational and environmental health professionals, including occupational physicians and nurses, advanced practice nurses and other nursing professionals, physician assistants, and industrial hygienists. It also meets the needs of primary care providers and others engaged in practice and research, including other physicians (family medicine practitioners, internists, emergency medicine specialists), policymakers, and medical-legal practitioners.  This event is co-sponsored by the Central States Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association and the UIC Great Lakes Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

OBJECTIVES

Attendees completing this course will be able to: 

• Describe the current evidence on cannabis-related impairment relevant to occupational fitness for duty, including psychomotor effects, driving risk, and safety-sensitive work.

• Describe common AI-enabled surveillance use cases in occupational health, including fatigue detection, ergonomic risk prediction, and early hazard identification, and explain where they may fit into routine OEM practice.

• Summarize the physiologic and clinical effects of workplace heat stress, including dehydration, heat illness, kidney injury, cardiovascular strain, and productivity loss.

• Identify exposure scenarios in lithium-ion battery manufacturing, storage, transport, use, and recycling, including chemical release during thermal runaway or battery failure.

• Explain the association between long work hours, shift work, job insecurity, and adverse outcomes such as sleep disturbance, burnout, depression, cardiovascular disease, and reduced satisfaction.

• Describe the occupational health risks common to gig, informal, and precarious workers, including heat exposure, traffic risk, long hours, injury risk, and limited access to surveillance and protections.

• Summarize the current WADA Prohibited List framework and recognize substance classes and methods that are especially relevant to occupational and preplacement evaluations of athletes and physically active workers.

9AM-9:30AM   Registration

9:30-10:30AM Weed, Work and Wreckage

Jerrold B. Leikin, MD, DFACMT, FACP, FACEP, FAACT, FACOEM, FASAM

10:30-11:30AM Hot Topics Reshaping OEM Practice in 2026

 William Wong, MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM

11:30-12:30PM Athletic/Ergogenic Drug Testing

 Jerrold B. Leikin, MD, DFACMT, FACP, FACEP, FAACT, FACOEM, FASAM

Extend your conference experience with an optional networking luncheon at Uncommon Ground, 3800 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60613.  Connect with colleagues over a good meal and continue the day's professional conversations in a cool, relaxed setting.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Meeting Registration Fee:       $100.00 for program and CME Credit.

    $  60.00 for program only.

Meeting registration includes: 

• Contemporary Medical Education Content

• Interactive Professional Networking Opportunities

• Culinary Amenities:

  • Continental Breakfast

  • Continuous Coffee Service

  • Refreshments

Advance registration closes one (1) business day before the start of the course.

Current graduate trainees (medical students/residents/fellows) should inquire regarding special registration options. 

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME):  This program has been designated to award AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (3 hours), American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) CE Credits (3 hours), and Non-Physician Attendance (3 hours) through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois

Refund Policy: Cancellations received in writing before the first day of the course will be refunded. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after that date.

CONFERENCE LOCATION

• Nestled along Lake Michigan just four miles north of downtown, Lakeview perfectly captures Chicago's energetic charm. This vibrant, walkable community blends distinct cultural pockets with premier entertainment. Sports fans flock to Wrigleyville for historic Wrigley Field, while Northalsted offers an exceptionally welcoming epicenter for LGBTQ+ culture and nightlife. Visitors can explore the tree-lined Southport Corridor’s upscale boutiques or sample Lakeview East’s diverse international dining. Culture thrives at the Belmont Theater District, while the 18-mile Lakefront Trail provides stunning skyline views. Accessible via the "L" train, Lakeview delivers an unforgettable, authentic Chicago experience.

• Chicago is the third most populated city in the United States and the largest city in Illinois. It's known for its many attractions, including parks, beaches, and cultural institutions, as well as its diverse neighborhoods and vibrant arts scene. Chicago is home to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Museum Campus. Chicago has a thriving arts scene, with over 200 professional dance companies and a hip-hop scene. Chicago also has Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, the Willis (Sears) Tower, and the Chicago Riverwalk. Chicago has a diverse and balanced economy and is home to over 30 Fortune 500 companies.

For questions, send an email to ChicagoOEMSociety@gmail.com.