Total Worker Health® in Action: Strategies for Organizational Success in Alaska

Katia Costa-Black, PhD, PT: Katia is the Senior Manager for Education and Partnerships at the Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, at the Oregon Health & Science University. She also co-leads the Outreach activities of the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center, a Total Worker Health center of excellence. In these roles, she has developed several professional education trainings and she supports the many R2P activities of the Institute, including building strategic partnerships with the practice and academic communities in the Pacific Northwest region.   She holds a B.Sc, in Physical Therapy, a M.Sc. in Ergonomics and Biomechanics and a PhD Industrial Engineering with an Ergonomics focus. Her research and teaching activities are focused on system-level preventive strategies, applied program implementation methods and risk management. Prior to joining the Institute, Katia served as a consultant and scientific adviser to a number of organizations and provided occupational safety and health services to several major corporations in the US and abroad.

Nancy Simcox, MS: Nancy Simcox is an Associate Teaching Professor and the Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Continuing Education Program (OSHCE) at the University of Washington. She develops and delivers research-based education programs for professionals in the environmental, health, and safety fields, including industrial hygienists, physicians, nurses, and safety engineers. She oversees the creation of new educational programs that address emerging issues identified by workers, employers, and the practice community. Recent programs have covered topics such as forestry and agricultural risks, reproductive health hazards, workplace violence, leadership development, Total Worker Health, and infectious disease prevention.  She has 25 years of experience in the field of occupational health and safety. 

Naomi DuCharme is the Executive Director of Alaska Safety Alliance. She is a Certified Health and Safety Technician (CHST) with expertise in Total Worker Health. She is a dedicated professional with a deep passion for promoting the health, safety, and well-being of workers in Alaska. With extensive experience in management and occupational health and safety, she is committed to fostering environments that prioritize worker safety and overall well-being. Naomi actively contributes to advancing worker safety initiatives through her roles on the Region 10 Young Worker Safety Committee, the Associated Builders and Contractors Safety Committee, and the Anchorage Suicide Prevention Coalition. She serves as Vice President of the Alaska Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and is an advocate for all industries in Alaska, integrating health and safety into their overarching business strategies.