About AOCOPM

Purpose and Mission

The purpose of the AOCOPM is to promote the public health and the practice of preventive medicine with the ultimate goal being to create better understanding of the relationship of health and prevention in regard to the wellness of the population.

The Mission of AOCOPM is to provide education in occupational, environmental, and preventive medicine and too encourage member activity and leadership within the College and other prevention-oriented healthcare organizations.

History

The American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine (AOCOPM) was originally chartered by the AOA in 1979 as the American Osteopathic Academy of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. In 1984, the organization merged with the American Osteopathic Occupational Medicine Association to form the American Osteopathic College of Preventive Medicine. In February, 1995, the current name was adopted to better reflect the membership.

Structure and Current Activities

The AOCOPM includes the Division of: Aerospace Medicine (to include hyperbaric medicine), Occupational and Environmental Medicine (to include medical review officers), Disability and Impairment Evaluations, and Public Health/General Preventive Medicine.The AOCOPM is an affiliate society of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) located in Chicago, IL.

The AOCOPM provides a number of benefits to its membership and others. The primary benefit is continuing medical education in the fields of practice represented by the various Divisions. The AOCOPM is approved by the AOA as a provider of Category 1-A CME credits. The College provides two major conferences each year: one in the spring and one in the fall. The fall conference is usually part of the AOA Annual Convention.

The AOCOPM provides a three-part basic course in occupational/environmental medicine which meets on the prerequisite requirements by the AOA for Certification of Added Qualifications in Occupational/Environmental Medicine. For more information on the requirements, contact the AOBPM: E-mail: AOBPM@osteopathic.org

One part of the basic course is given at each of the two conferences held by the AOCOPM each year. They do not need to be taken in sequence. The purpose of a CAQ is to provide credentialing in the field of occupational/environmental medicine for those who practice in this field and are certified by the AOA in another primary specialty.

The AOCOPM also recognizes members who have contributed greatly to their profession and the College through Fellow and Faculty status. For more information and the requirements for both, contact the AOCOPM : E-mail : jeffrey@aocopm.org

There are a number of opportunities to get involved in the AOCOPM either by serving on a committee, as faculty to one of the conferences or basic course, or as a representative to the AOA or another organization.

For information on membership, e-mail : jeffrey@moma-net.org