Protecting the Force Behind the Mission

Photo By Debra Thompson | Occupational Health staff monitor service members participating in the Urban Search and Rescue Course at Fort Leonard Wood, ensuring they are medically observed and supported throughout physically demanding instruction.  

UNITED STATES

08.28.2026

Story by Debra Thompson 

General Leonard Wood Community Hospital

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo.— The mission at Fort Leonard Wood never stops. Long before a training cycle begins, a workforce of Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and service members are already turning wrenches, managing hazardous materials, and operating heavy machinery to keep the installation running. But when the daily requirements of the job come with inherent physical hazards, who protects the people doing the work?

"Readiness" isn't just a tactical metric for troops on the ground; it relies on the health of the workforce, powering the installation.

At General Leonard Wood Community Hospital (GLWCH), theOccupational Health Clinicis the first line of defense. “This team doesn't just treat injuries after the fact—they engineer safety. By focusing on proactive prevention, continuous monitoring, and rapid response, they ensure the Fort Leonard Wood workforce remains healthy, protected, and fully mission-capable,” said Samantha Visser, chief of occupational health.

Preventing Hazards, Preserving Readiness In the industrial facilities, maintenance bays, and training areas of Fort Leonard Wood, personnel face unique daily physical demands and environmental hazards. The Occupational Health Clinic actively mitigates these risks through structured safety, monitoring, and conservation programs.

• Proactive Surveillance:ThroughPre-placement and OSHA Mandated Medical Surveillance Examinations, the clinic ensures that personnel are medically matched to their specific duties and that their health is continuously monitored over time.
• Sensory and Respiratory Protection:FromHearing and Vision Conservationto theRespiratory Protection Program, the clinic provides baseline and periodic exams, andSpirometry Testingto protect personnel working in high-noise or airborne-hazard environments.
• Workplace Evaluations: By conducting Worksite Evaluations and assessing Reproductive Hazards, the clinic partners Industrial Hygiene and with local commands and supervisors to identify and eliminate physical hazards before they cause injury.

Comprehensive Workforce Services The Occupational Health Clinic delivers a wide array of federal and military-specific programs designed to support both individual employee wellness and organizational safety compliance:

• Medical Surveillance
  • Pre-placement Medical Exams
  • OSHA mandated periodic exams and surveillance
  • Spirometry Testing
• Workplace Safety
  • Worksite Hazard Assessments
  • Reproductive Hazards assessments
  • Surety Program Management
• Conservation & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Evaluations
  • Hearing Conservation Program
  • Vision Conservation Program
  • Respiratory Protection Program
• Injury & Exposure Care
  • Treatment of Work-Related Injuries & Illnesses
  • Work related injury and illness evaluations
  • Bloodborne Pathogen Post-Exposure Surveillance
• Immunizations & Benefits
  • Work-related Immunizations
  • Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) Support

Partnering in Your Safety “Ultimately, the strength of Fort Leonard Wood lies not in its physical machinery or training ranges, but in the people who keep them running. By safeguarding the health, longevity, and physical safety of our workforce, the Occupational Health Clinic ensures that our community stands resilient and ready to answer when the Nation calls,” said Visser.

For appointment scheduling, compliance tracking, or to request a worksite evaluation, contact the clinic directly at573-596-0039or573-596-9705.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2026
• Date Posted: 09.01.2026 11:32
• Story ID: 573658
• Location: US