The Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM), located at ECMC, provides care to workers who are injured, impaired, or who develop an illness as a result of workplace factors. These factors may include exposure issues, physical injuries, or any other job hazard. COEM also offers services for any worker with other job-related medical needs, such as physicals required for employment or licensure. They assist with completion of paper work for worker compensation claims. They can also provide you with a referral network of specialists throughout WNY.
Although the center is located at ECMC, it is available to workers across WNY with such needs. With state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and highly skilled and caring staff, COEM has specialized healthcare services that meet OSHA, EPA, DOH and other safety standards. Additionally, the COEM takes a different approach to the treatment of injured workers through prevention. The COEM offers education including early diagnosis and treatment. If you think something in your work environment is affecting your health, they may be able to help identify such issues before a debilitating injury occurs.
COEM, which opened in 2015, was developed with great support from Labor leadership. “This Center would not have happened without the involvement of Labor,” explained Richard Lipsitz, President, Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF). “This (Center) establishes us at the center of progressive medicine. There’s nothing like this in Western New York and it was a collaborative effort,” said Lipsitz. “This is yet another example of the good that’s going on here in Western New York. Workers need to take advantage of what this center offers.”
CWA encourages members to use COEM for all occupational and environmental health problems or concerns. CWA reminds all members that you SHOULD NOT use employee health as your Worker’s Compensation Physician. While some employers suggest using their practitioners as an option, this has proven to be problematic in many cases. COEM is a terrific neutral, third party option! It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00AM – 5:00 PM and can be reached by phone at 716-898-5858.
