Division of Medical Toxicology

The 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 UPMC 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 Education & Training

Medical Toxicology Fellowship

Our two-year, ACGME-accredited program provides exceptional training in one of the busiest medical toxicology services in the country.  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.

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Medical Toxicology Medical Student Course (EMED 5460)

This four-week clinical elective provides students an experience in the assessment and treatment of toxicology patients. Students spend time with toxicology faculty and fellows in consultation, examination, treatment, and follow-up of patients in the emergency, inpatient and outpatient settings. The clinical experience includes daily clinical rounds on inpatients, outpatient consults, including UPMC Children's Hospital and Pittsburgh Poison Center case reviews.

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Medical Toxicology Research

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Medical Toxicology Patient Care

Outpatient Clinic

The Medical Toxicology Outpatient Clinic provides evaluation and treatment for persons exposed to chemicals and solvents at work or home. In addition to these exposures, obvious exposures, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or hydrofluoric acid burns, can be easily referred to the clinic for further evaluation and medical management.

Inpatient and Consultation Services

As the largest medical toxicology program in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia, we provide an inpatient and consultation service that can deal with the most difficult and life-threatening poisonings or envenomations in this area. Besides providing inpatient hospital care, our service can also provide other medical professionals with a high level of expertise in diagnosing and managing the care of poisoned patients through our consultation service.

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