It was in 1966 when a group of company physicians organized themselves to form the Industrial Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAP).
In 1976, Dr. Gregorio Dizon initiated the merging of the three occupational health associations:
to become the Philippine Occupational and Industrial Medical Association (POIMA ).
The 350 physicians members of POIMA formed the first six (6) chapters, namely Baguio- Benguet, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Laguna, Southern Mindanao, and Northern Mindanao.
In 1982, the Specialty Board of Occupational Medicine was formed to design, organize, and conduct the Diplomate Course in Occupational Medicine and the periodic examinations for applicants leading to the specialty of Occupational Medicine. It is also mandated to grant certificates of specialization in Occupational Medicine with the title of Diplomates in Occupational Medicine and to review applications for Fellows in Occupational Medicine.