Deep South Center for OH&S

We're proud to partner with OHD in support of Safe + Sound Week! This free three-part webinar series is a great opportunity for safety and health professionals to strengthen their workplace safety programs, stay current on best practices, and earn continuing education credits.

The Deep South Center is pleased to provide CEUs for all Safe + Sound Week webinar sessions. We hope you'll join us!

In recognition of Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide event celebrating workplace safety and health programs, OHD is offering a free three-part webinar series designed to help safety professionals strengthen their programs and stay compliant.

CEUs are offered for all OHD Safe + Sound events!

🔹 August 11 – Respirator Fit Testing 101
Register Here: info.ohdusa.com/respirator-fit-testing-101-safe-sound-week-2026
Led by Stephanie Lynch, PhD, CIH, CSP

🔹 August 12 – Clear the Air: Air Sampling and Dust Monitoring Basics
Register Here: info.ohdusa.com/ohd-air-sampling-webinar-safesound
Led by Dylan Staack

🔹 August 13 – Sound Advice: Noise Monitoring Fundamentals
Register Here: info.ohdusa.com/ohd-noise-monitoring-webinar-safesound-week
Led by Stephanie Lynch, PhD, CIH, CSP

🕐 1:00 PM CT Daily

Whether you're managing a clinic, construction site, or manufacturing facility, these sessions will provide valuable insights to help you protect your workforce and build a stronger safety culture.

All webinars are free to attend. Registration is required.

Congratulations to Seunghyeon Yang on successfully defending his Ph.D. dissertation today!🥳🎉

His dissertation, "Occupational Exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) and Heat and Associated Effects on Vascular Health," represents an important contribution to occupational health research and our understanding of workplace exposures and worker health.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Yang on this outstanding achievement. We wish him continued success as he begins this exciting new chapter!

One of the highlights of this year's William Weems Summer Institute for Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health was our visit to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama!

Our students had the opportunity to see firsthand how occupational safety and health principles are applied in a large-scale manufacturing environment. From learning about workplace safety practices to gaining insight into careers that help protect worker health and well-being, the visit provided an invaluable real-world perspective on the field.

A sincere thank you to the Hyundai team for welcoming our students and sharing your knowledge and expertise. Experiences like these help inspire the next generation of environmental and occupational safety and health professionals.

Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of hosting another successful Summer Institute in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health!

Throughout the week, students explored educational and career opportunities in occupational and environmental safety and health through hands-on activities, industry tours, and interactions with professionals across the field.

Participants completed an Industrial Hygiene noise case study and visited Auburn University's Cognitive Engineering & Context Lab, Integrated Sensorimotor & Performance Lab, and Applied Ergonomics & Work Systems Lab. They also gained valuable insight into the profession through our "A Day in the Life" sessions featuring Industrial Hygiene practitioners.

Additional highlights included a tour of the Hyundai Manufacturing plant, a behind-the-scenes look at UAB Hospital from an Industrial Hygiene perspective, an introduction to Occupational Health Nursing, and Stop the Bleed training.

Beyond the educational experiences, the week provided opportunities for students to build lasting connections, develop new friendships, and discover potential pathways for their future careers.

Thank you to all of our speakers, hosts, faculty, staff, and students who helped make this year's Summer Institute such a success. We look forward to seeing how Summer Institute may influence our participants future studies, career goals, or professional interests.

During this year's Summer Institute, the Deep South Center hosted a special luncheon celebrating the renaming of our Environmental and Occupational Summer Institute to The William Weems Summer Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

The luncheon brought together members of the Weems family, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to recognize and honor the life and legacy of William Weems. Through his dedication to protecting worker health and safety, William made a lasting impact on the field and inspired generations of occupational and environmental health professionals.

As we move forward under the Institute's new name, we are proud to continue his legacy by providing students with opportunities to learn, grow, and explore careers dedicated to improving the health and safety of workers and communities.

May his dedication to health and safety continue to inspire learning, leadership, and service for years to come.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in commemorating this meaningful occasion.

We’re excited to share that the Deep South Center for Occupational Health & Safety will be attending the AIHA Connect Conference in New Orleans, June 1–3!

Stop by Booth 1604 to learn more about our training programs, continuing education opportunities, outreach initiatives, and the work we are doing to advance worker health and safety across the region.

We look forward to connecting with students, professionals, alumni, and industry partners throughout the conference. See you in New Orleans!

Learn how we can help you address your OEHS challenges. Register now and visit us at the AIHA Connect Expo!

DSC alumni and friends,

If you will be in New Orleans for AIHA Connect, we would love for you to join us for a special evening together.

Please make plans to join us at Mulate’s (Acadia Room) on Monday, June 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for an evening of connection, culture, and community. We will enjoy Cajun favorites, decadent desserts, and a drink ticket.

This event is hosted by UAB’s National Alumni Society, and Deep South Center alumni and friends are invited to attend for free (and bring a guest) using promo code "NOLASOPH".

You can RSVP here:
http://alumni.uab.edu/neworleans

We hope to see you there!

New Orleans Regional Event Gather with New Orleans‑area Blazers for an evening that blends culture, delicious flavors, and strong UAB connections at our New Orleans Regional Event on Monday, June 1, at 5:30 p.m.

Congratulations to our 5 MSPH-IH students who successfully defended their master’s theses this past week.

Kabe Fetner: Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Noise and Respirable Particulate Matter in Dentistry

Chrisopher White: Investigation of Air Emissions Associated with a Local Composites Company

Makayla Baker: Potential Noise Exposure During Post-Trip Inspection Among Commercial Freight Truck Operators

Eli O’Connor: Investigation of the Noise Reduction Performance of a Commercial Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Device

Neha Alwani: Evaluating the Service Life of a Respirator Cartridge When Exposed to Various Volatile Organic Compounds

Claudiu T. Lungu, Director of the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and Anita Dillon, wife of the late Associate Professor and Director of the Industrial Hygiene Program at UAB's School of Public Health, are pictured at an annual luncheon honoring donors and scholarship recipients.

Dr. Dillon was a respected educator, researcher, and advocate in the field of industrial hygiene and his work and leadership helped shape generations of health and safety professionals.