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Medical Toxicology

The University of Virginia’s Medical Toxicology Department is comprised of four components:

The Blue Ridge Poison Center, where nurses and doctors are available by phone 24/7, 365 days a year. It provides free, confidential information and advice on poisoning for the general public and healthcare professionals;  

the Center for Clinical Toxicology provides 24-hour physician consult services for patients with complex toxicological problems;

the division’s Medical Toxicology Education offers rotation service for medicine and pharmacy fellows and residents;

and the division’s Medical Toxicology Research arm of the operation performs a broad range of research including clinical, epidemiological, and basic science research.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Wilderness Medicine Course

This intensive course will introduce students to the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical practice of Wilderness Medicine: the care of patients in austere environments lacking typical health care resources, often under harsh conditions.

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Doctors Borek and Rizer stand by presentation poster

ToxTalks

ToxTalks is a monthly newsletter for health-care professionals who manage poisoned patients. The articles are written by specialists at the UVA Health System’s Division of Medical Toxicology.

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group photo of Blue Ridge Poison Center physicians and staff

Clinical Toxicology Center

The University of Virginia’s Clinical Toxicology provides 24-hour consults to health care professionals on a wide range of conditions including medication overdose, drug interactions, herbal toxicity, envenomations, occupational exposures and environmental toxicity.

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News

Newly Released – The Claudius Project – A New Book on Poisonous Mushrooms in Virginia

Dr. Chris Holstege, and Alfred Goossens and Dave Saylor with the Virginia Master Naturalists, are featured locally, across Virginia, and on TV stations nationally discussing a new book on poisonous…

Medical Toxicology Updates

Read more about the Medical Toxicology team's achievements this year: Dr. Chris Holstege Debunks Vitamin A Efficacy For Measles Dr. Chris Holstege: The Nation’s Voice on Toxic Threats Dr. Gregory…

Blue Ridge Poison Center Reports Decrease in Opioid, THC, Overdose Calls — In the News

NBC29 recently interviewed Dr. Chris Holstege, Director of Blue Ridge Poison Center, about the decline in overdose calls this past year. He shared the good news and hopes to identify…

Conner McDonald, MD, and Chris Holstege, MD, Featured in Over 100 News Outlets About Seizures in Children After Ingesting Drugs

October 29, 2024 by daf4a@virginia.edu Conner McDonald, MD, in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Chris Holstege, MD, in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics and chief of the UVA…

Toxicology Fellowship

The Medical Toxicology Fellowship is a GME funded fully accredited fellowship with a curriculum that is designed to take advantage of the numerous opportunities at the University of Virginia.

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cover photo for The Claudius Project featuring mushrooms, depicted in watercolors by Trishe Crowe

The Claudius Project

"The Claudius Project: Poisonous Mushrooms in Virginia" is a reference guide to poisonous mushrooms native to Virginia. This is a joint effort between the Virginia Master Naturalist Program–a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities–the Blue Ridge Poison Center at University of Virginia Health, and the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Division of Medical Toxicology – Department of Emergency Medicine.

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cover page for The Socrates Project featuring poisonous plants, depicted in watercolors by Trishe Crowe

The Socrates Project

"The Socrates Project: Poisonous Plants in Virginia" is a reference guide to poisonous plants native to Virginia. This second edition is a joint effort between the Virginia Master Naturalist Program–a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities–the Blue Ridge Poison Center at University of Virginia Health, and the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Division of Medical Toxicology – Department of Emergency Medicine.

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the cover page for The Cleopatra Project featuring poisonous and venomous animals, depicted in watercolors by Trishe Crowe

The Cleopatra Project

"The Cleopatra Project: Poisonous and Venomous Animals in Virginia" is a joint effort between the Virginia Master Naturalist Program–a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities–the Blue Ridge Poison Center at University of Virginia Health, and the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Division of Medical Toxicology – Department of Emergency Medicine.

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