From our visionary founders forward, women have always been essential to defining and pursuing Bassett Healthcare Network's mission to foster healthy rural communities. This Women's History Month, we are highlighting just a few of the many Bassett women carrying on that legacy today.
Spotlight on:
Dr. Julie Sorensen, PhD
Director of Bassett’s New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health (NYCAMH) and
Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety: Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
A Guiding Force in Occupational Health and Safety
Julie Sorensen, PhD, leads Bassett Healthcare Network’s New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) and Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC). The work of both organizations has had a significant impact on the health and safety of workers in agriculture, forestry, and fishing in our own region, nationally, and internationally.
Julie Sorensen, PhD
Of her role at NYCAMH & NEC, Dr. Sorensen says:
“Working with staff here at NYCAMH/NEC, I conduct research to identify the factors that increase injury and impact workers’ health, so that we can develop solutions that reduce traumatic injuries or occupational illness. Over the years, we have worked hard to improve work conditions for farmers, fishermen, and loggers and have demonstrated reductions in injuries and fatalities.”
An example of NYCAMH’S important work is its program to tackle tractor overturns, which are the most frequent cause of death on U.S. farms and are of particular concern in the Northeast, which has the highest rate of overturn fatalities in the country. NYCAMH developed a highly successful program to provide affordable rollover protective structures on unprotected tractors to prevent deaths and injuries from tractor overturns.
Dr. Sorensen plays a leading role in Bassett’s relationship with Umeå University in Sweden, working together to address rural health issues. She also helps orchestrate the International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference (IFISH), a global conference addressing the sustainability and welfare of fishermen, seafood processors, and aquaculture workers around the world.
“I’m not sure I’ve made history, but I am very lucky to work with terrific people who inspire me every day,” concluded Dr. Sorensen.
Dr. Sorensen has been with Bassett Healthcare Network for 23 years.
