Anna Allen, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the West Virginia University School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency Medicine and adjunct in the WVU School of Public Health Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, was recently named president of the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) Board of Directors. 
The AOEC is a nonprofit, international organization committed to improving the practice of occupational and environmental health through information sharing and collaborative research.
The WVU Occupational Medicine Clinic serves as one of 60 clinics in the AOEC network. The clinics offer referrals to the public for those who have been exposed to a toxic substance or those having symptoms from a possible exposure. In collaboration with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, AOEC is compiling a database for earlier identification of potential occupational risks.
“Although environmental and occupational safety and health in the United States has improved over the last 50 years, we need to advance through providing a network that gathers data so we can make sure we do everything possible to prevent health hazards and their effects,” Dr. Allen said.
Allen has been a WVU representative on the Board since 2012 and will serve as the Association’s president through 2015.