BIO

In 1975, I was hired by the Federal Government -- Center for Disease Control and Research, specifically at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC / NIOSH).  As a Criteria Manager, I wrote Criteria Documents on Hazardous Substances used in the Industrial Sector. Also reviewed Documents from within NIOSH; conducted Surveys in various industries upon their request for assistance to help resolve the cause of illnesses / diseases that the workers were experiencing in their workplace.

 

During the AIDS Crisis in 1980, I mapped the first 4 cases of AIDS in the USA.

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During my 30 years of service at CDC/NIOSH, I published many articles in Journals and Books, including the revision of articles from foreign scientists to adhere to our American style of writing in Medical Journals. I also gave numerous presentations at various Conferences. One presentation entitled "Two NIOSH Resources for Implementing Workplace Safety and Health Surveillance" was very highly acclaimed and I was asked to present it to new Medical graduates who were starting their internship at various Medical colleges including Harvard, Wright State University, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, etc., every two years.

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One of my NIOSH publications was entitled “Occupational Sentinel Health Events: An Up-Dated List for Physician Recognition and Public Health Surveillance.” This article was translated into Spanish by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); it was also translated by me into Chinese with the help of a medical Intern from Taiwan, and published in the Taiwan Medical Journal. A few of my bosses mentioned that this article published in English, Spanish and Chinese, has captured almost 75% of the literate population in the world.

 

The above two publications formed the basis of future presentations in the USA, as well as around the world in the years to come. 

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The next NIOSH publication "Medical Screening and Biological Monitoring: A Guide to the Literature for Physicians" was published in 1995.
 

The highlight of my career in the Federal Government was the creation of the Specific Medical Tests Poster entitled: “Specific Medical Tests and Examinations Published in the Literature for OSHA-Regulated Substances.” More than 20,000 requests were received; each time I updated this Medical Tests Poster, again the requests were received and also in 2005, when I retired following the final update of the Medical Tests Poster. 

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My presentation entitled "Two NIOSH Resources for Implementing Workplace Safety and Health Surveillance" was given at the Symposium in honor of Irving J. Selikoff, and sponsored by the Collegium Ramazzini in Washington, D.C., in November, 1995, which was chaired by the then NIOSH Director, Dr. Linda Rosenstock. She was not aware of my work and later complimented me on a job well done.

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During my tenure at NIOSH, I was the only delegate from the USA appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop "Safety Cards of Hazardous Chemical Substances" for the WHO. I had the unique opportunity to discuss with delegates from other countries, and also gave presentations of my work in countries like Finland, England, the Netherlands, and some states in India.

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A delegate from the Netherlands requested my help in providing Health and Safety information in detail for certain chemicals for his Book in Dutch called "Chemikaarten", 14th Edition, 1995. This book is similar to "NIOSH's Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards", wherein I have provided a lot of information over the years to the Pocket Guide, and I was also nominated for a NIOSH Award in 2005, the year I retired.

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In June, 2005, the year I retired, I received a letter dated June 22, 2005, from Dr. John Howard, the Director of NIOSH, who wrote: "Dear Leela, Congratulations on your nomination for the 2005 Charles C. Shepard Science Award for an Outstanding Scientific Contribution to Public Health. Your contribution to the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards has helped to make this publication a vital source of general chemical hazard and control information for workers, employers and occupational safety and health professionals. The magnitude of the contribution made by the Pocket Guide is made evident by the fact it remains the Government Printing office's best-selling workplace safety and health publication. Nomination for this prestigious award recognizes your outstanding contribution to occupational safety and health, as well as your dedication and commitment to the NIOSH mission. I am confident that the Pocket Guide significantly improves our ability to protect America's workforce. Thank you for your excellent work."

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Another letter, this time from the CDC Director, citing my accomplishments of the "Specific Medical Tests of Examinations Published in the Literature for OSHA Regulated Substances" that has greatly benefitted occupational physicians and general practitioners confronting occupational diseases in their practice. In addition, the CDC Director cited my collaboration in developing "International Chemical Safety Cards" for WHO program as well as assisting OSHA in developing "Material Safety Data Information Sheets", and in my efforts on behalf of the CDC Bioterrorism program, is an example to all CDC employees. 

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My involvement with other NIOSH professionals, specifically epidemiologists, and our publications can be seen in the Resources Section of this website. 

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In addition to presentations and publications, I have taken numerous Training Courses at CDC/NIOSH on subjects ranging from Industrial Hygiene Measurements; Industrial Ventilation; Safety in the Workplace; Occupational Health, Occupational Medicine, etc. 

Also took a Spanish Course and had the opportunity to give talks to the class.

One talk was on taking a vacation to 3 Hawaiian Islands.

Another talk: acting as an air hostess and providing Safety instructions to passengers on an airplane including the use of seat belts and oxygen masks when needed, and following the necessary evacuation procedures.