OccuMed professionals

President
Joanie Ball, RN OHN(c), COHN (C)
Occupational Health Nurse Consultant

Joanie Ball graduated from the Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing in 1980. She studied Occupational Health Nursing at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) between 1990 and 1993 and graduated with honours as a certified occupational health nurse. Joanie gained extensive experience in critical care nursing at Vancouver General Hospital until 1992. From 1992 to early in 1999, Joanie worked as an occupational health nurse at two hospitals in the greater Vancouver Area, providing WCB case management, ergonomic assessments, WHIMIS training, body injury prevention training, occupational immunisations and prevention and management of biological exposures. She also developed and implemented a respiratory protection program. Since 1999, Joanie has been working as an occupational health consultant for many organizations throughout BC and Alberta. She specialises in medical case management of disabled workers, return to work coordination, job demand analysis and ergonomic assessments for a variety of industries in both the private and public sectors. Joanie is also experienced in conducting medical examinations for fitness to work and medical surveillance. Since 1999, she has been involved with the BCIT Occupational Nursing Certificate and Baccalaureate Program, both as an instructor and assisting with curriculum development.


Maureen Pridgeon, RN, RSCN, OHN(C), COHN(C)
Occupational Health Nurse Consultant

Maureen Pridgeon graduated from the Royal Liverpool School of Nursing (U.K.) in 1980.  She studied Occupational Health Nursing at the British Columbia Institute of Technology between 1998 and 2002.  In 2002, Maureen obtained Canadian Certification in Occupational Health Nursing.  She has a broad range of nursing experience, which includes occupational health, paediatric critical care, community health and rehabilitation.  She has worked in the U.K., USA and Canada. In 1997, Maureen received an RNABC recognition award for her contribution to the nursing profession. She also spent two years as an Occupational Health Steward for the British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU). Between 2000 and 2005 Maureen was the Director of Nursing for a British Columbian occupational health company, in this position she designed and implemented numerous occupational health programs including a province-wide Hepatitis B immunisation and titre testing program for 3300 workers, heavy metal health surveillance programs, and disability management programs, and has provided occupational health education to many individuals and organisations.