The occupational medicine team at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota focuses on treating and preventing work-related illnesses, injuries and long-term conditions. They understand how an employee's health can affect their work — and how work can affect their health.
Mayo Clinic's goal is to help employees stay safe, healthy and productive. The team also works with employers to adapt the workplace to meet the changing needs of employees.
Occupational medicine specialists care for people who experience illness or injury at work. When an employee is ready to return, the team helps plan a safe, well-supported transition back to the workplace.
Mayo Clinic specialists are experts in identifying and managing physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial hazards in the workplace. They also understand the laws and regulations that protect employee health and safety.
The occupational medicine team works closely with employers to provide the following services:
Occupational medicine specialists care for people who have work-related injuries or illnesses covered under workers' compensation insurance.
Mayo Clinic offers the following services:
- Care from specialists who understand Minnesota's workers' compensation system.
- Testing, counseling and treatment for employees exposed to blood or body fluids at work.
- Help coordinating care and communicating with employers, qualified rehabilitation consultants and disability case managers.
- Evaluations to determine when recovery is complete or when a condition is stable, also called maximum medical improvement.
- Assessment of work restrictions and planning for a safe return to work.
- Coordination with other Mayo Clinic experts for additional tests or specialty care.
- Impairment ratings and permanent partial disability evaluations to measure any lasting loss of function from a work-related injury.
Specialists in the Comprehensive Occupational and Rehabilitation Care Clinic (CORCC) treat people with work-related injuries that are covered by workers' compensation insurance. The clinic specializes in complex care and coordinates treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for people from across the U.S.
The CORCC team works closely with:
The CORCC accepts patients with eligible work-related injuries or illnesses who are new to Mayo Clinic. It also provides care for current Mayo Clinic patients with work restrictions. The clinic's goal is to support recovery and help each person return to work safely.
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Mayo Clinic's occupational medicine team offers Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals and preventive care for commercial drivers. They understand the importance of the transportation industry and focus on keeping drivers healthy, safe and on the road.
Occupational medicine specialists also train healthcare professionals across the U.S. to perform DOT physical exams. This training helps them meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards and qualify for the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Doctors and advanced practice providers
- Laura E. Breeher, M.D., M.P.H
- Gregory (Greg) P. Couser, M.D., M.P.H.
- Clayton T. Cowl, M.D., M.S.
- Robert Haddon, M.D., M.S.
- Philip T. Hagen, M.D.
- Richard D. Newcomb, M.D., M.P.H.
- Lawrence W. Steinkraus, M.D., M.P.H.
- Melanie D. Swift, M.D.
- Gary N. Toups, M.D., M.P.H.
- Erika L. Beetcher, APRN, C.N.P., M.S.
- Caitlin M. Hainy, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P.
- Barbara J. Timm, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P.
Mayo Clinic's occupational medicine team offers a range of required medical exams to help keep workers healthy and safe on the job. These exams also help companies meet state and federal regulations.
Services offered include:
- Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals for commercial drivers.
- Annual public safety exams for law enforcement and firefighters.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) evaluations.
- Respirator medical evaluations.
- Asbestos medical surveillance exams with B-read chest X-rays.
- Silica medical surveillance exams with B-read chest X-rays.
- Bloodborne pathogen exposure management.
- Medical surveillance exams for hazardous material exposures.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical exams for commercial and private pilots.
- Merchant Mariner Credential exams.
Regulatory and surveillance exams are performed for employees of corporate clients.
To discuss your needs for regulatory and surveillance exams, contact Occupational Medicine and ask for the program manager.
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Mayo Clinic occupational medicine specialists work with employers to keep workers healthy and safe. One important way to do this is by offering flu immunization clinics. The flu vaccine helps protect employees from getting the flu, also called influenza, and can cut down on sick days.
The occupational medicine team can provide flu vaccines at Mayo Clinic sites or other convenient locations, such as at your workplace.
To discuss your needs and whether an on-site workplace flu immunization clinic is right for your organization, contact Occupational Medicine.
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The occupational medicine team offers toxicology evaluations for employers or Mayo Clinic patients who are concerned about a work-related chemical exposure causing illness or injury.
Mayo Clinic specialists assess employees for health effects related to environmental exposures — such as lead, carbon monoxide or radon — as well as chemical exposures. To complete an assessment, Mayo Clinic needs Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals used at work and any workplace testing information, such as air quality results.
To discuss the need for a toxicology evaluation, contact Occupational Medicine.
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The occupational medicine team at Mayo Clinic offers fitness for duty exams done by doctors trained in workplace health and safety. These exams may be requested before an employee returns to work after an illness. Or they may be requested if there are safety concerns related to a medical condition. The goal of the exam is to determine if the employee can safely do all the parts of their job.
To request a fitness for duty exam, contact Occupational Medicine and ask to speak to the program manager. The program manager can explain the process and give you the paperwork to complete before the appointment.
Fitness for duty exams for doctors are offered through the Physician Health Center at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota.
Fitness for duty exams for professional pilots are available through Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.
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Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery.
Find doctors and medical staff:
Occupational medicine doctors also are involved in research on many important workplace health topics, including:
- Preventing work-related disability.
- Monitoring the effects of hazardous medicines in healthcare workers.
- Testing and treatment for tuberculosis.
- Preparing for disasters.
- Managing bloodborne pathogen exposures.
- Vaccination and immunity requirements for healthcare workers.
- How mental health and social factors impact work.
Publications
See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic physicians on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.