11th Annual ADAO International Asbestos Awareness Conference
Where Knowledge and Action Unite
April 17 – 19, 2015
Washington, D.C.
2015 Conference Info | 2005 – 2014 Conferences Infographic | Registration | Events | Agenda | Awards Dinner | Honorees | Speakers | Speaker Information | Family Tour | Sponsors | Brunch | Media | Tributes
Posted on February 9, 2015
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is proud to present a new weekly series” Meet the Speakers, Honorees, and Leadership,” highlighting one or several attendees at our highly-anticipated 11th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference! The ADAO Conference, which will take place on April 17-19, 2015 in Washington, DC, combines over 30 expert opinions, victims’ stories, and new technological advancements from more than 10 countries into one united voice raised for asbestos awareness. ADAO is the only U.S. nonprofit that organizes annual conferences dedicated to preventing and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases.
Register today! This week, we are featuring our two Keynote Speakers: Dr. Jorma Rantanen and Susan Vento!
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Dr. Jorma Rantanen, Professor at International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and 2015 Honoree, is a specialist in occupational health and served for 30 years as the Director General of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FIOH. He has experience in practical occupational health services, and occupational medicine and in the development of regulations for OHS in Finland and internationally. He chaired the Finnish Government Committee on Asbestos and was in charge of the charge of the Finnish National Asbestos Programme for total ban and elimination of asbestos. Internationally he has advised WHO, ILO and several Governments on elimination of asbestos-related diseases. Besides about 500 research and professional articles, he has authored books on occupational health practices, cancer risk assessment, chemical and global risk assessment, prevention practices, including asbestos-related diseases, and work in the information society. Dr. Rantanen has served the Academy of Finland in research strategy planning. He has evaluated universities and research institutions in Finland and planned new governance model for Finnish University Reform, including the drafting of the new University law, which was passed by the Parliament in 2009 and implemented since 2010. He chaired University of Jyväskylä for years 2009-2013. He has evaluated Government research institutes and Government funded research programmes for Finland, Norway, UK, USA, Sweden and Switzerland. He has over 30 years’ experience on programmes for occupational health in developing and transitory countries in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, China and Eastern Europe, including the Russian Federation, Baltic and Balkan areas. He has served as the Board member of ICOH and as President for the tenures 2003–2006 and 2006–2009, serving currently as a Board Member in the capacity of the past President.
Susan Vento is a tireless anti-asbestos legislation advocate and widow to Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District representative, Bruce F. Vento. Formerly a school teacher, she also served for 27 years as a staff member for the Minnesota Education and Education Minnesota, representing teachers and educational support professionals. Since her husband’s death, for the past 13 years, Susan has lobbied on asbestos and mesothelioma issues at both state and federal levels. She has also co-authored the book “100 Questions and Answers About Mesothelioma” for new patients and served on the board of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Susan is the Director of Outreach for the Church of the Assumption in downtown St. Paul.
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Check back next week for the third “Meet the Speakers, Honorees, and ADAO Leadership” blog featuring to our conference honorees: American Public Health Association (APHA), International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig), The Brazilian Labour Public Ministry, Dr. Jorma Rantanen, Ellen Patton, and Troi Atkinson
In unity,
Linda
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.