Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency
We are pleased that you are interested in learning about The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine's Occupational Medicine Residency Program!
Our program was founded in 1994, with the main purpose of increasing the number of occupational medicine physicians who have broad experiences and sufficient competence to enter the workforce without direct supervision, thus helping in alleviating the shortage of occupational medicine physicians nationwide
In addition to training our residents in the six general competency domains established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and those outlined in the Preventive Medicine/Occupational Medicine program requirements, our program is unique in adding a special dimension of training that emphasizes the occupational health needs of the rural workforce with special emphasis on agriculture. This focus is achieved through innovative and multi-faceted training opportunities including:
- A rich didactic schedule where residents understand basic elements of recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of occupational illnesses and injuries which occur in rural and agricultural environments and communities.
- A one-month rotation focusing on rural and agricultural health.
- Active participation in the activities of the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education Center (funded by NIOSH); which is also located at The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center.
- Participation in structured field experiences and workplace walkthroughs.
Our program is designed around monthly rotations set throughout East Texas with some electives available in the major cities of Texas, while some are out of state. Our required rotations address the occupational medicine basics through our on-site employee health/occupational medicine clinic, other urgent/occupational care clinics, a chemical plant clinic, as well as in the academic arena. We have electives that cover various categories such as industry specific, insurance and case management, government, etc. Over the course of the program, residents also complete courses that culminate in a Master of Public Health degree from the university.
HSC is a founding partner of the UT Health East Texas integrated healthcare system. The system includes ten hospitals and 52 clinic locations within the 25,000 square mile region of Northeast Texas. Health outcomes in our region are some of the worst in the state and physician shortages exist in many specialties. Our residency programs are focused on turning these statistics around, by providing better access to healthcare.
This area of East Texas is known as the Piney Woods, where visitors to our area are taken aback by the scenery. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors will find plenty of activities to do in and around Tyler, which has a population of just over 100,000 and is a desirable location for the next generation of professionals, as it is the advanced manufacturing, healthcare and retail center of East Texas. Local residents will tell you that Tyler has almost all the amenities of a metropolitan area, without the headaches of big-city hustle and bustle. However, Dallas is merely an hour and a half away if you wish to attend concerts, sporting events, etc. In addition, a 90-minute drive east will take you to Shreveport, Louisiana, where you can experience Cajun lifestyle and cuisine. Unique to Shreveport are the casinos on the Red River and live horse racing at Louisiana Downs.
We look forward to hearing from interested applicants and showing you how you can benefit from this program!
Dalia Nessim, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Residency Program Director / Interim Department Chair
Sarah Lang, MHA
Residency and Education Program Manager