Marshfield Veterinary Clinic

Marshfield Clinic - News Releases

The National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) has established an advisory committee to identify emerging safety and health priorities of dairy owners and their employees, and to guide overall NFMC research and program initiatives.

The committee convened May 4 in Marshfield, Wisconsin, under the direction of Barbara Lee, Ph.D., NFMC director, and Matthew Keifer, M.D., M.P.H., Dean Emanuel endowed chair. Morning field trips were followed by afternoon meetings at the NFMC’s offices within Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.

“This is an outstanding group, and we feel fortunate that they’re lending us their time and expertise,” Keifer said. “We had a very productive first meeting, and we’re excited to be working together in addressing the safety and health needs of the dairy industry and other sectors of agriculture.”

The 14-member committee includes Dean Emanuel, M.D., medical director emeritus and one of the founders of the NFMC in 1981. He was joined by committee members representing dairy producers, Hispanic workers, insurers, and the State and University of Wisconsin. They include farmers, physicians, safety specialists, an industrial hygienist, a veterinarian and others.

The committee toured two farms in the Stratford area that are known for innovation and industry leadership -- Maple Ridge Dairy and Greenberg Farms.

Committee member Stephen Reynolds, Ph.D., director, High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, Colorado State University, gave a noon presentation on his center’s collaborative experiences with the western dairy industry. Reynolds’ presentation was part of an event at Marshfield Clinic’s Robert F. Froehlke Auditorium marking the 30th anniversary of NFMC.

Members of the advisory committee:

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