NYSAOHN Reminiscences - Karen Runeare RN, COHN/CM

Karen Runeare RN, COHN/CM has been a member of NYSAOHN and her local chapter, Central NYAOHN for 21 years.  She was President of NYSAOHN during 2012 - 2013 among many other leadership positions in the Association.  Here is her story.

1. Tell us about your educational background and your work experience. 

I started and ended my full time career at Crucible Steel in Syracuse NY.    I was going to nursing school with an employee at Crucible and when she took another job I took the job there as the occupational health nurse   I had previously worked at Community General Hospital in Syracuse on the orthopedics floor as an aide first, then as LPN and GN, then RN!  I then went to Oswego County Public Health Dept. as a home care nurse.  

I then took a job at the Hartford Insurance Co.    My friend talked me into going to the job fair there and after about 4 months I knew that telephonic nurse case manager wasn’t for me.   I missed the hands on and people!  

I then went to Carrier Corp. where I obtained my COHN/CM.  I loved the work, but they started to downsize, so I started at Federal Occupational Health (FOH) per diem and then also took a 12 hour,  3 shifts a week job at a hospital ICU in my hometown.  At one point I was working three jobs - per diem at Alcan Inc. in Oswego, per diem at FOH and in the ICU.  I loved it.   I met some wonderful lifelong friends and had some wonderful mentors.  I learned so much.  

After the local hospital closed, I went to  Magna Powertrain and, when they downsized,  I was transferred to the test car garage!  I stayed there until I took a position at Norwich Pharmaceuticals in Norwich, NY.   It was a wonderful job with great bosses and safety director, and the safety coordinator was amazing!  I worked different shifts 4 days a week and covered telephonically as I lived an hour and half away.  I roomed with an 85 year old friend of a friend in Norwich and worked some crazy shifts before moving back home when my daughter was getting married.  

I returned to Crucible Steel and worked full time until a family illness required me to resign.  I stayed per diem at FOH for 17 years.   Retired in 2019.  I am still active in the state chapter, NYSAOHN and my local chapter, Central New York AOHN.    

1. Tell us how you came to specialize in occupational health.  Describe your first job in occupational health.

 I specialized in occupational health as I loved the everyday difference you could make in employee's lives and making a difference with your interventions.  I loved seeing different things and I had a wide varied background to draw from.    I saved a finger that got reattached. The hand surgeon was someone who had spoken at a local OHN meeting.   It was a totally different setting for me, but safety and supervisors were amazing help.   I got to know the union reps and taught first aid and CPR on my own time.   I felt like I’d found my niche.    

1. Describe changes you saw in occupational health over your years of practice.

It was changing all the time.    We were no longer the bandaid and Motrin keepers.   My jobs involved doing training, drawing labs daily, organizing wellness activities, health fairs, worker’s compensation, FMLA, disability, respirator fit testing, all medical surveillance, safety tours weekly in the plant, case management, working with the company doctor for weekly appointments of injured workers, new hire orientation.  Another change I saw over the years was that many of the jobs no longer paid to keep up certifications and attending conferences.   

1. What role did a mentor play in your professional life?

My first mentor encouraged me to join AAOHN and the local chapter.   Beth Farrell encouraged me to get my certifications and we traveled together to conferences and meetings. She encouraged me to try different things and help on the board.  Sue Naylor, NP at Alcan was a wonderful person to work for, there was no question unanswered and she volunteered to speak at our local meeting where her passion for occupational health was evident! 

1. Did being a member of NYSAOHN influence your career? If so, how?

Being a member opened many doors and added to my knowledge base.   You had a number of people to call if you had any questions or just wanted to run something by someone else.  You didn’t have to invent the wheel, people are always willing to assist.   

1. What led you to decide to volunteer for leadership in NYSAOHN?

Beth Farrell, Central NYAOHN and NYSAOHN chapter member and leader.

1. What were your goals and achievements while NYSAOHN President?  

 I wanted to reach out to every chapter and went to local chapter meetings, as many as possible.   I wanted to be able to help in any way I could.   Many times we are working alone in occupational health.   I know when I started there was a lot I didn’t know!   

1. What were your concerns, challenges, and struggles while NYSAOHN President?

Chapter members were retiring and facing elderly parents or new grandchildren.   Meetings were not always well attended.  Companies weren’t paying for education.   Getting people to step up and help lead isn’t easy.   

1. What nuggets of advice, words of wisdom can you offer to the NYSAOHN members of today and in the future?  

Get your friends involved!  It’s a great opportunity to network and advance your practice!   And have fun!

1. Tell us something about yourself.  

I am happily married to a wonderful man who doesn’t mind too much that I’m still on the state and local boards, and still travel to conferences.   I have a great supportive large extended family and am blessed with 2 beautiful granddaughters who live next door.   I like to read, swim and travel.  I love riding in my BMW convertible! Now that I am retired, I hope to do some genealogy research.   I volunteered several years as the camp nurse at Camp Rainbow of Hope in Oswego, NY.