Portrait
Occupational Health Services – At the Heart of Employee Health
by Pamela Workman
Whether in the field or at a workstation, a dedicated team is working behind the scenes to keep the LADWP workforce safe, healthy, and ready for the day ahead. At the center of that effort is Occupational Health Services (OHS) – a group whose mission reaches far beyond the walls of a clinic. From the John Ferraro Building to worksites across the Department, OHS exists to make sure every employee has access to occupational services and protection designed around the realities of how – and where – LADWP work happens.
“The overall goal that we have at OHS is promoting the health and well-being of all employees at LADWP.”
Dr. Kang Wook Huh, DO, MPH, OHS Physician III
Care That Looks at the Whole Picture
OHS is often associated with work-related injuries and workers’ compensation paperwork. But step inside the OHS clinic, and you’ll realize it’s about much more than forms and follow-ups. When an employee comes in, the focus isn’t just on treating the injury – it’s on understanding what happened, why it happened, and how to reduce the likelihood of it happening again. OHS physicians and nurses take the time to explain medical conditions in plain language, walk through recovery plans, and make sure employees leave feeling informed and supported.
That approach can have a lasting impact. In one case, an employee arrived with severe back pain that had limited both work and daily life for nearly a year. By taking the time to understand job tasks and the work environment, OHS identified contributing factors and connected the employee to the right resources to address the issue at its source. Within months, the pain resolved, function returned, and the employee was back to the activities they had been missing.
Post Offer and Pre-Employment Evaluations
OHS also supports LADWP’s hiring process by providing timely, confidential post-offer and pre-employment medical evaluations for new LADWP hires, as well as City of Los Angeles transfers, exempt field hires, and some current employees who are transferring or promoting into roles that require medical clearance. These evaluations help meet division hiring needs coordinated through the LADWP Personnel Services Office (PSO) while supporting a vetted workforce.
The goal is to help set candidates up for success with medical evaluations that encourage a healthy workforce and promote safety. Each evaluation includes a review of medical history and a physical exam, and – depending on the position – may also involve Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Department of Transportation (DOT) regulated testing.
When needed, OHS may follow up on medical conditions by requesting and reviewing medical records.
“Through daily, transparent communication, the Occupational Health Services and Personnel Services Office synchronize medical clearances, compliance requirements, and onboarding timelines. This partnership enables LADWP to meet hiring demands promptly while maintaining the highest standards of employee safety.”
Frank S. Molina, Utility Administrator III, Human Resources – Personnel Services Office (PSO)
One Team, One Shared Goal
Behind every visit to OHS is a coordinated, multidisciplinary team working together to ensure employees receive seamless, comprehensive care. From the moment an employee walks through the door, clinical expertise and operational support come together in a team-centered environment focused on health, safety, and collaboration.
Physicians guide clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and care planning, drawing on specialized training in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. OHS is led by Dr. Leslie Israel, Medical Director and Chief Physician, who works alongside Dr. Thomas Hanson and Dr. Kang Wook Huh to provide medical care tailored to the unique needs of the LADWP workforce. Learn more about each physician here.
Nursing staff are often the first point of contact, helping to triage new injuries, respond to employee health concerns, and perform appropriate tests. Led by Lloyd Njoku, the nursing team – including Junghee Kim, Erika Buot, Amalia Saucedo, and Vanessa Meade – ensures that all visits are compassionate. Supporting clinical evaluations and diagnostics, onsite Radiology Technologist Javier Rodriguez helps provide timely imaging and technical expertise.
Equally essential to the employee experience is the administrative team, which serves as the backbone of OHS operations. Don Kitabayashi (Utility Administrator), Jeffrey Chan (Management Analyst), Keri Sanchez (Principal Clerk Utility) along with Senior Administrative Clerks Maria (Margie) Lopez, Julie Golden, Alexsandra (Alex) Dean, and Administrative Clerks Anabel Olvera and Sonja Glasgo, coordinate appointments, manage records, and maintain communication with key partners across the department including PSO, Workers Compensation, and DOT Office.
The OHS mission is further strengthened by the ongoing support of Dan Aeschleman, Chief Safety Officer, and Vanessa Aquino, Utility Administrator, whose contributions help sustain the program’s effectiveness and continued growth.
Prevention, By Design
Prevention is a cornerstone of how OHS operates. Whether the concern is noise exposure, respiratory risk, lead, or repetitive use injuries, the team uses a proven public health framework known as the Hierarchy of Controls – a system of ranking safeguards from most effective to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
This approach shapes how OHS works with Corporate Safety and Industrial Hygiene – especially when trends in medical surveillance or injuries suggest a bigger workplace risk. The goal isn’t just to help one person heal, it’s to make the job safer for the next person, and the person after that.
“Corporate Health and Safety’s partnership with Occupational Health Services is essential to the success of LADWP’s medical surveillance program. By aligning exposure monitoring, regulatory requirements, and clinical oversight, we deliver a complete, proactive approach to protecting employee health.”
Marc Hendon, Risk Manager, Corporate Health and Safety
Ergonomics – The Small Stuff that Adds Up
A surprising number of aches and pains come down to simple things – chair height, screen placement, or a workstation that doesn’t quite fit the person using it. OHS helps employees spot how posture, reach, repetition, and positioning can quietly add up over time, turning everyday tasks into sources of strain.
For those in the field, it can involve evaluating lift techniques or task rotation to reduce stress on joints and muscles.
OHS connects employees with existing Corporate Health and Safety practical resources – from telecommuting setup guides to simple stretches and movement routines that can be done at the desk, in a truck, or between job tasks. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s awareness. When employees understand how their bodies respond to the way they work, they’re better equipped to spot risks early and make adjustments before discomfort turns into injury.
“My visit to OHS was attentive, thorough, and really helpful. They shared practical tips that I could use on the job and provided a referral to physical therapy to help improve my condition, while preventing any future strain.”
Ashley Williams, Customer Service Representative
For a quick guide to Ergonomics at work, click here.
For Telecommuting Ergonomics, click here.
Medical Surveillance Built on Trust
For employees in roles with specific exposure risks, OHS directs medical surveillance programs focused on hearing conservation, respiratory protection, and monitoring for substances like lead, asbestos, and silica. Medical surveillance programs were designed by OSHA to screen for early signs of health effects, potentially related to workplace exposures.
Confidentiality is central to OHS operations, including medical surveillance. Individual results stay private. That trust allows employees to participate openly, knowing the focus of OHS is on health, not compliance alone.
Advancing Care for LADWP and the Community
OHS brings the Medvan program to field employees. Through the Medvan program, medical surveillance services travel directly to LADWP field locations, improving access and removing barriers to service.
From delivering 350 flu vaccines during the annual flu campaign to supporting occupational medicine training programs at partner universities, the team’s reach extends well past the clinic doors. OHS also serves as the on-site first aid provider at LADWP’s annual Science Bowl, ensuring the safety and well-being of participants and staff. Feedback from employees reflects that same experience of care and respect. In recent surveys, 94% of visitors rated their care as, “Excellent,” and 100% said they were treated with respect by OHS staff.
How to Connect with OHS
The OHS clinic can be found in JFB on the 5th Floor, room number 538. A refreshed OHS page recently launched on MyDWP, designed to serve as a go-to hub for OHS related services and helpful resources.
As LADWP employees, we hope we never need their services, but it’s reassuring to know OHS is there – so the LADWP workforce can focus on what we do best: delivering safe, equitable water and power, and returning home safely to life beyond the workday.
Share Your Feedback
If you’ve interacted with OHS, please take a moment to share your feedback by visiting the links below and completing a short survey. All responses help guide ongoing improvements to OHS and employees’ experiences.
Meet the Team
Physician Staff:
Dr. Leslie Israel, DO, MPH, FACOEM (Chief Physician and Medical Director)
Dr. Thomas Hanson, MD (Physician II)
Dr. Kang Wook Huh, DO, MPH (Physician III)
Clinical Staff:
Lloyd Njoku, RN, Nurse Supervisor
Erika Buot, RN
Jung Hee Kim, RN
Vanessa Meade, RN
Amalia Saucedo, RN
Javier Rodriguez, X-ray/Lab Technician
Dr. Leslie Israel, Chief Physician and Medical Director
Dr. Kang Wook Huh, Physician III
Dr. Thomas Hanson, Physician II
Division Leadership:
Daniel Aeschleman, Chief Safety Officer
Administrative Staff:
Vanessa Aquino, Utility Administrator III
Don Kitabayashi, Utility Administrator II
Keri Sanchez, Principal Clerk Utility
Jeff Chan, Management Analyst
Alexsandra Dean, Sr. Administrative Clerk
Sonja Glasgo, Administrative Clerk
Julie Golden, Sr. Administrative Clerk
Margie Lopez, Sr. Administrative Clerk
Ana Bel Olvera, Administrative Clerk
