About Medical Toxicology

Mission

Advancing the care of patients suffering illness related to toxin, drug, or environmental exposures through bedside care, education, research, and public health endeavors.

Vision

We will lead the advancement of medical toxicology with state of the art patient care, education, research, and public health efforts to ensure that specialized care for toxicologic illness is available to all who need it.

Values

Humble, Industrious, Educated, Virtuous.
Humble: We recognize our unique role in the health care community as part of a collaborative delivery team.
Industrious: We work hard.
Educated: We continue to use and develop evidence-based medicine and best practices.
Virtuous: We always place the delivery of ethical, patient-centered care as our first priority.

Division of Medical Toxicology

Our Division of Medical Toxicology includes five full-time medical toxicology attending physicians who provide inpatient care, as well as, consultative and outpatient clinic services.  The inpatient service continues to demonstrate consistent growth in volume at both UPMC Presbyterian and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  The toxicology service utilizes a specific, dedicated unit within UPMC Presbyterian for toxicology admissions.  This is the only such specialized unit in the United States.  Additionally, the Division is a designated Center for Poisoning Treatment, which meets stringent guidelines established by the American College of Medical Toxicology, and the only such Center within the region. Finally, we house an ACGME accredited Medical Toxicology fellowship, training 2 new experts each year over a 24-month program.

The Division recently expanded clinical consultative services at UPMC Mercy and is experiencing additional clinical growth due to this expansion. The outpatient medical 
toxicology clinic specializes in the care of patients exposed to environmental and occupational toxins. The clinic is constantly adapting to the toxins patients are exposed in our ever-changing environment. We also provide oversight and medical direction for the Pittsburgh Poison Center and the West Virginia Poison Center.


Medical Toxicology Fellowship

The UPMC Medical Toxicology Fellowship is an ACGME-approved 2-year training program that provides diverse training in one of the busiest medical toxicology services in the country. Our educational mission is to provide diversified training in medical toxicology. Our fellows directly experience acute poisonings, adverse drug events, addiction, withdrawal, hazardous materials, terrorism preparedness, venomous bites and stings, and environmental and workplace exposures. They graduate experts in the prevention, evaluation, treatment and monitoring of illnesses from exposures to drugs and chemicals, as well as biological and radiological agents. They graduate prepared to work in clinical, academic, and governmental environments.

Outpatient Clinic
Inpatient and Consultation Services
Rotation and Education