Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health

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About the Advisory Board

The Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (also referred to as the Advisory Board or the Board) was established by the President on December 7, 2000. The Advisory Board:

  • Contains individuals from the public that represent a balance of scientific, medical, and worker points of view.
  • Gives advice to the Department of Health and Human Services on its activities under the Act.
  • Includes a balance of perspectives from scientists, physicians, and workers.

The Advisory Board operates under the specific guidelines of public laws. More information on how the Advisory Board operates can be found in:

Responsibilities

The Advisory Board provides advice to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on:

  1. The development of the final rules on:
    • Methods used for completing radiation dose reconstructions.
    • Guidelines used to assess the likelihood that an employee’s cancer was caused by their work at a DOE or AWE facility.
    • Procedures for adding additional classes of employees to the SEC.
  2. The scientific validity and quality of dose reconstruction efforts performed by NIOSH.
  3. Whether there is a class of employees who should be added to the SEC. The Advisory Board’s recommendation is based on:
    • Whether the class of employees was exposed to radiation and it is not feasible to estimate their radiation dose.
    • Whether there is reasonable likelihood that such radiation doses may have endangered the health of members of the class.

Members

  • Rashaun Roberts, Ph.D., Designated Federal Officer (DFO)
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
    Cincinnati, OH

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [354 KB (3 pages)]

  • Henry A. Anderson III, M.D., Chair
    Chief Medical Officer, Occupational and Environmental Health (Retired)
    Wisconsin Division of Public Health (Madison)
    Department of Health and Family Services
    Madison, WI

    Dr. Anderson received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 1972. He was certified in 1977 by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, with a sub-specialty in occupational and environmental medicine, and became a fellow of the American College of Epidemiology in 1983. In 1980, he joined the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services as the Wisconsin State Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiologist, and in 1991 he also assumed the duties of Chief Medical Officer.

    He was appointed Interim Wisconsin State Health Officer from July 2008 to January 2009, and again from October 2010 to December 2013. Between and after these terms, he returned to his Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist duties. He retired from Wisconsin State Government service in November 2016.

    Since 1980, he has held adjunct professorships at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW), Department of Population Health Sciences, and the UW Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Center for Human Studies. He has published over 290 scientific articles on a broad spectrum of environmental, occupational, and public health topics, and is past chair of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Board of Scientific Counselors.

    He was appointed to the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health in 2001, served until 2006, and was reappointed in 2009. He has served as chair of the Board since 2021.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [13 KB (1 page)]

  • Melsa Josie Beach
    Nuclear Chemical Operator (Retired)
    Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS)
    Richland, WA

    Ms. Josie Beach is a retired Nuclear Chemical Operator with 32 years of experience at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. She started her Hanford career in 1987 at the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) as an active participant in the plant’s final plutonium production campaign. In 1994, Ms. Beach became involved in the worker trainer program, where she instructed workers and developed health and safety classes. Ms. Beach retired from CH2M HILL’s Tank Farms waste operations group in 2019 and was a member of the United Steelworkers Union Local 12-369.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [110 KB (2 pages)]

  • Frazier Bronson, B.S., M.S., CHP
    Scientific Director
    Mirion Technologies
    Branford, CT

    Frazier Bronson is currently Scientific Director for Mirion Technologies, where he has worked for more than 50 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Nuclear Engineering and a Master of Science degree (M.S.) in Radiation Protection. He was certified in the comprehensive practice of Health Physics (CHP) in 1973, is currently a Fellow of the Health Physics Society, and a Distinguished Member of the American Academy of Health Physics.

    He has previously been Chair of the American Board of Health Physics, President of the American Academy of Health Physics, President of the Midwest Chapter of the Health Physics Society, and President of the Delaware Valley Society for Radiation Safety. Mr. Bronson has had a long-term interest and expertise in radiation detection and analytical measurement methods and instruments.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [107 KB (1 page)]

  • Bradley P. Clawson
    Senior Operator Nuclear Fuel Handling (Retired)
    Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory
    Idaho National Laboratory
    Idaho Falls, ID

    Mr. Clawson served as a Senior Operator in the Spent Nuclear Fuels Program at the Idaho National Laboratory from 1989 until his retirement. He was involved in shipping and receiving Nuclear Naval fuels, recovering and storing Three Mile Island fuel, and receiving and storing Foreign Research Reactor fuels, as well as numerous other types of nuclear fuels. He served as the Nuclear Material Custodian. Mr. Clawson was involved in troubleshooting and resolving daily fuel-handling problems. He also designed and fabricated tools to support the ongoing inventory of fuels.

    He was a member of the United Steelworkers Union Local 8-652 and held several offices. He was formerly the Secretary-Treasurer of the Atomic Energy Workers Council.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [15 KB (2 pages)]

  • Arthur L. Frank, M.D., Ph.D.
    Emeritus Professor
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
    Drexel University
    Philadelphia, PA

    Dr. Frank received his medical degree at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and trained at The Mount Sinai Hospital in both Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He is a career-long academic physician who also has a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Sciences. As Principal Investigator on the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP) for the Pantex site, he understands the exposure scenarios in DOE facilities based on medical interviews with hundreds of DOE workers. His Pantex FWP duties have given him experience with the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Dr. Frank has a record of accomplishments in occupational medical practice, teaching, research, professional societies, and community service. He has received many awards and honors and is the author of over 270 scientific publications.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [112 KB (2 pages)]

  • James E. Lockey, M.D., M.S., FACOEM
    Professor Emeritus (tenured) and Adjunct Professor
    Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences
    University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
    Cincinnati, OH

    Dr. Lockey served as Director of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Cincinnati from 1986 to 2005. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree and is a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (FACOEM). He is a former member of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Board, and Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, and a member of the United Auto Workers – GM and United Auto Workers – Delphi Occupational Health Advisory Boards.

    Current appointments and activities of Dr. Lockey include serving as Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary Medicine) and Professor of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Cincinnati; serving as an affiliate medical staff member at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in the Department of Internal Medicine; and serving as a member of the Expert Panel of the Fernald II Worker Settlement Fund. He is also a member of the University of Cincinnati Environmental and Occupational Medicine Residency Advisory Committee.

    Dr. Lockey has a distinguished career in occupational and environmental pulmonary medicine and has published more than 185 scientific articles and book chapters on a broad spectrum of environmental, occupational, and public health topics.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [14 KB (2 pages)]

  • Nicole E. Martinez, PhD, CHP
    Professor
    Clemson University
    Clemson, SC

    Dr. Nicole Martinez is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University. As of 2019 she also holds a Joint Faculty Appointment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory within the Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge.

    Her first professional position was as an officer in the U.S. Navy where she served just under four years, first as a nuclear power instructor and later a radiation health officer. After separation she briefly worked in industry before attending graduate school. While completing her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at Colorado State University, she spent about one and a half years as part of a research team at Savannah River National Laboratory.

    Her current research focuses on dosimetric modeling and the behavior and effects of radiological contaminants in the environment for applications ranging from risk assessment to biosensing. She is a Certified Health Physicist, serves on the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, is a member of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, and is a member of the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [112 KB (1 page)]

  • David Pompa
    Nuclear Weapons Worker and Union Representative (Retired)
    Past President/Chairperson Amarillo Health Consortium
    Pantex Plant
    Amarillo, TX

    Mr. Pompa worked at the United States Department of Energy’s Pantex Plant from March 1980 until his retirement in June 2021. Mr. Pompa possesses over 41 years of unique nuclear workers’ experience, expertise, and perspective from his various job assignments at the Pantex Plant. He was a long-time and well-respected union representative during his career at the Pantex Plant. In this role, Mr. Pompa represented workers on a wide variety of issues including complex safety and health matters. Mr. Pompa was President/Chairperson for the Amarillo Health Consortium, an initiative that focused on assisting current and former nuclear workers with their health issues.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [174 KB (2 pages)]

  • Michael John Schmoldt, B.S., M.S. (Environmental Science), M.S. (Industrial Health), M.B.A., CIH (retired P.E., CPEA, CHMM)
    Occupational Health/Industrial Hygienist (Retired)
    Plainfield, Illinois

    Mr. Schmoldt is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH). He previously held credentials as a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.), Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA), and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM). He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Environmental Science, a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Industrial Health, and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree. He also pursued doctoral study and research in health physics and environmental science.

    He has worked as a scientist at several Department of Energy (DOE) Atomic Weapons facilities in radiation control and industrial hygiene roles. Mr. Schmoldt has conducted physiological monitoring to assess heat stress and its effects on radiation workers who must wear personal protective equipment. He has also developed personal and area air-monitoring and sampling systems for chemicals that are difficult to characterize or measure.

    Mr. Schmoldt has served on committees for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the American National Standards Institute, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. He was elected as a member of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists – Physical Agents Committee.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [106 KB (1 page)]

  • Ken Silver, D.Sc., M.S., CHP, CIH, CSP
    Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences (Retired)
    Asheville, NC

    Dr. Silver has conducted research on the health impacts of Department of Energy (DOE) facilities, focusing on historical exposures and working in community partnerships with workers. He has critically reviewed scientific literature and has debunked and reanalyzed risk assessment documents. Dr. Silver’s toxicological background has allowed him to contribute to the risk assessment literature and consult on tort cases. He has served on the DOE Central Institutional Review Board and the Department of Labor’s Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health. In two decades as a member of the Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Sciences faculty at East Tennessee State University, he taught a variety of courses, including occupational health and regulation. He holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Health Physicist (CHP), and Certified Safety Professional (CSP).

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [108 KB (1 page)]

  • Faye A. Vlieger, B.S.
    Nuclear Worker Advocate, Self Employed
    Kennewick, Washington

    Ms. Vlieger has worked as a Production Planner and Work Package Planner at the Hanford site for CH2M HILL. Ms. Vlieger has been an Authorized Representative on behalf of injured nuclear weapons workers that are the focus of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) for over 22 years. Prior to her appointment to the Board, she attended many Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health meetings, including work group sessions. She has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Board’s responsibilities and its presidential mandate. Ms. Vlieger conducted many EEOICPA educational meetings for individuals wanting to file claims and has helped them in their efforts. She also served on the Department of Labor’s EEOICPA-related Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [110 KB (1 page)]

  • Paul L. Ziemer, Ph.D.
    Professor Emeritus
    School of Health Sciences
    Purdue University
    West Lafayette, IN

    Dr. Paul Ziemer is Professor Emeritus and former Head of the School of Health Sciences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. From 1990 to 1993, Dr. Ziemer served as the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety, and Health. From 1995 to 2001, Dr. Ziemer was a consultant for the Advanced Technologies and Laboratories, Inc., and served as Chairman of the Board from 1999 to 2001.

    He earlier served as a Health Physicist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a Radiological Physics Fellow at Vanderbilt University, and a physicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

    He is a Certified Health Physicist and has been President of the Health Physics Society and of the American Academy of Health Physics. He has also served a term as a member of the American Board of Health Physics. Dr. Ziemer currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (Hiroshima, Japan) and as a member of the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

    Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement [15 KB (2 pages)]

Previous Designated Federal Officials

  • Ted Katz (2008-2020)
  • Christine Branch (2008-2008)
  • Lew Wade (2005-2008)
  • Larry Elliott (2002-2005)

Previous Advisory Board Members

  • Henry Anderson (2002-2006)
  • Antonio Andrade (2002-2005)
  • Victoria A. Cassano, M.D., M.P.H. (2022-2023)
  • Roy DeHart (2002-2006)
  • Richard Espinosa (2002-2006)
  • R. William Field, Ph.D., M.S. (2009-2022)
  • Sally Gadola (2002-2002)
  • Michael H. Gibson (2002-2012)
  • Mark Griffin (2002-2014)
  • David Kotelchuck, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.I.H. (2012-2024)
  • Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D., M.S.P.H. (2009-2018)
  • James Malcolm Melius, M.D., Dr. P.H. (2001-2017)
  • Wanda I. Munn (2002-2018)
  • Charles Leon Owens (2002-2006)
  • John W. Poston, Sr. (2005-2018)
  • Robert W. Presley (2001-2011)
  • David B. Richardson, Ph.D. (2009-2022)
  • Genevieve S. Roessler, Ph.D. (2002-2023)
  • Phillip Schofield (2007-2022)
  • Carmela Loretta R. Valerio (2012-2026)

Member Tributes

Members of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health and NIOSH wish to pay tribute to past members for their exceptional service.

Carmela Loretta R. Valerio (2012-2026)
David Kotelchuck, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.I.H. (2012-2024)
Genevieve S. Roessler, Ph.D. (2002-2023)
R. William Field, Ph.D., M.S., (2009-2022)
Phillip Schofield (2007-2022)
David B. Richardson, Ph.D. (2009-2022)
Wanda I. Munn (2002-2018) and John W. Poston Sr., (2005-2018)

Contact

The Advisory Board welcomes written comments from claimants, advocates, energy employees, Congressional offices, and the general public. Please send comments to the Advisory Board’s Designated Federal Officer, Dr. Rashaun Roberts, by fax at 513-533-6826 or by e-mail to dcas@cdc.gov.