When June Spector was training to become a doctor, she saw a wide range of patients who had injuries or illnesses related to their work.
“From janitors to instrumental musicians, they took pride in their work. Not being able to do the work in the way they wanted was a huge hit to their self-confidence and well-being,” she said. “That really drew me in to wonder, how are the environment and work related to health? And what can I do to support healing, and to prevent these things from happening?”
Spector, a physician and scientist, is the new chair of the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS), where she has served as a faculty member for the past 13 years. Her deep, varied experience spans occupational and environmental medicine, research, teaching and policy.
A former director of the UW Occupational & Environmental Medicine (OEM) Program, which includes the OEM Clinic at Harborview Medical Center, she also recently served as occupational research physician and occupational disease prevention lead in the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries’ Safety and Health Assessment and Research Prevention Program, known as SHARP.
“I am confident that June’s calm and compassionate leadership style, deep expertise in occupational and environmental medicine, long-standing experience as a faculty member in our department, and strong working relationships with state agencies will be tremendous assets to us in the years ahead,” said DEOHS Professor Lianne Sheppard, who has served as the department’s interim chair since September 2024.
“Environmental and occupational health touches everyone. It's in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the workplaces that many of us spend the majority of our waking hours in.”
- June Spector
Responding to the threat of heat
When Spector first joined the DEOHS faculty in 2012, she responded to concerns about heat exposure for outdoor workers in Washington State by developing research on heat stress and heat illness, and projects to test practical solutions as a member of the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health (PNASH) Center.
“I learned a lot about the importance of partnerships, and of making sure those who have lived experiences and are affected are centered in the development of solutions,” she said.
Her research on heat exposure and traumatic injuries eventually played a role in conversations around Washington state’s heat rule and the proposed federal heat rule.
The work on heat stoked her interest in policy, eventually contributing to her joining L&I while maintaining a faculty position in DEOHS.
“Science can not only help inform policy, but understanding gaps and opportunities in policy can inform the direction for science,” she said.
Leading by listening
As chair, Spector hopes to build on the department’s history of leadership in translating research to impact, training the next generation of public health researchers and practitioners, and serving employers and workers in Washington state by promoting healthy workplaces and communities.
“I want DEOHS to be a place where faculty, staff and students feel valued and connected to our mission, and feel like they can do their best work,” she said. “Strengthening our connections with each other and with our external partners is really important going forward to make sure that we're moving toward our mission of safe, healthy and sustainable workplaces and communities.”
Spector’s experience as a physician and a musician — she’s a lifelong violinist who plays in a community orchestra — is evident in her primary approach to leadership: as a listener. In her first year as chair, she plans to solicit feedback from the DEOHS community and partners, particularly during this time of shifting research funding.
“From all my research and practice experiences, I’ve learned the importance of listening to people, of communication, and of being prepared when opportunities arise,” she said.
“The origin story for our department is one of dedicated individuals coming together toward a common mission,” she added. “I am confident that the department will adapt to these dynamic times and will continue to play a role in setting the direction for the field of environmental and occupational health sciences.”
