30 Year Anniversary l 25 Year Anniversary
National Farm Medicine Center: Celebrating 30 years of agricultural medicine, safety and health!
Health issues unique to farmers, their families and employees provided the impetus for establishment of the National Farm Medicine Center in 1981.
A group of physicians and other professional staff of Marshfield Clinic began discussing the establishment of an agricultural medicine center that would focus on health issues unique to farmers and their families who made up a large segment of the population in central Wisconsin, and who were also patients of Marshfield Clinic. This concept appeared to be a natural outgrowth of the ongoing research and clinical expertise that already existed at Marshfield Clinic, starting with the Clinic’s acquisition of Dean Emanuel, M.D., a cardiologist who joined the staff in 1958. Dr. Emanuel had a deep interest in respiratory illnesses and farmer’s lung disease, and the Foundation began a series of research projects and investigations of unique maladies occurring in dairy farmers. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Looking ahead, we will enhance our many initiatives addressing agricultural health and safety for adults and children,” said Barbara Lee, director, National Farm Medicine Center. “Our emphasis on underserved populations will expand via the talents and interests of new staff. The strong partnerships we have developed with leaders in agribusiness and producer organizations, safety advocates, researchers and health care providers will facilitate identification and management of issues affecting agricultural populations at the local, regional and national level. Further, with an emphasis on translating knowledge into practice, you will likely ‘see’ us more often as we expand our communication delivery via social media to reach broad audiences.”