The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) today updated its strapline – changing from the Society of Occupational Medicine to Supporting occupational health and wellbeing professionals. This change reflects the SOM’s strong multidisciplinary focus, the wide range of occupational health (OH) professions in its membership base, and its commitment to supporting occupational health and wellbeing professionals in their career.
The SOM logo remains the same along with its status as the largest nationally recognised professional organisation for individuals with an interest in health and work. SOM is a registered charity, founded in 1935 as the Association of Industrial Medical Officers, and changed its name to become the Society of Occupational Medicine in 1965. In 2012, the Society opened its membership to health professionals working in occupational health. Since then, SOM's membership has grown to include occupational health nurses, technicians, physiotherapists, psychologists and other allied occupational health professionals.
Dr Will Ponsonby, SOM President, said: “This change reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the SOM and the growing number of alliances with other organisations working in the sphere of occupational health.”
SOM President Elect, Professor Anne Harriss: “Supporting occupational health and wellbeing practitioners is definitely the way ahead. Occupational health is no longer the preserve of doctors or even doctors and nurses. It is a much broader church. Professions including physical and psychological and rehabilitation specialists have a lot to bring to the OH table.”
SOM CEO Nick Pahl said of the change: “The Board wished to continue the strong heritage and values of SOM but wanted to have a strapline that welcomes a broad range of occupational health professionals and encouraging workplace wellbeing professionals to join the occupational health professional community.”