This conversation with Dr. Brett Perkison highlighted several interesting aspects of both Occupational Medicine and career development.

First, many medical students are simply not exposed to Occupational Medicine as a specialty choice. Learning about the different career choices within this specialty is interesting. Residents receive a Masters of Public Health during their training, and bring a preventive medicine and public health focus to their work. 

One of the themes I see in physicians who are energized at work is that they maintain a lifelong commitment to learning and development. As Dr. Perkison‘s career has developed, he has continued to nurture his interest in clinical care, leadership, and research. He currently serves as the Residency Program Director of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency at the University of Texas Houston. He also continues his research studies, including projects focused on the health of disaster response workers and diabetes prevention. 

About Dr. William “Brett” Perkison, M.D., MPH, FACOEM:

Dr. Perkison is an Assistant Professor on faculty at the University of Texas School of Public Health, where he is the program director for the UT Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency. Prior to joining the UT faculty, he has had extensive experience managing occupational health services in both the energy and health care industries. During his career he has also been involved in leading disaster response efforts in the Houston area for numerous flooding events, including for Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Harvey.

Occupational Medicine College Web Site: https://acoem.org/

American Board of Preventive Medicine: https://www.theabpm.org/

UT Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency website:

https://sph.uth.edu/research/centers/swcoeh/occupational-environmental-medicine/

Link to Dr. Perkison's publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1pa0ucD38iwAs/bibliography/public/