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 Dean Paul W. Brandt-Rauf, at the Opening Session of the 2015 American Occupational Health Conference in Baltimore, MD, on May 3.  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 Mr. 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 occupational and environmental medicine (OEM).

“This award is the highest honor granted by the professional organization in my area of medical specialty so it humbling and gratifying that my colleagues feel that I am deserving of this,” said Dean Brandt-Rauf.

Dean Brandt-Rauf, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, was recognized for his leadership in the field of 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.