Toxicology Fellowship

• UVA Health is a Level 1 Trauma Center and tertiary care referral center treating pediatric and adult populations
• In-patient consult service, where we see consults and manage patients 24/7 to ensure the best care of poisoned patients
• The Blue Ridge Poison Center is based at our program. The fellows’ office is across the hall from the call center, maximizing learning opportunities. Fellows are involved in poison center logistics, giving them the training to be future medical directors if they desire
• Outpatient clinic with review of referral requests and opportunities for occupational or environmental exposure consultations
• Dr. Nathan Charlton is board certified in addiction medicine. Fellows have the option to join his outpatient clinical practice to enhance their addiction medicine training
• Forensic toxicology case engagement by entities such as local police, FBI, and the DOJ. Faculty have been engaged with criminal poisonings and post-event analysis.
• Collaboration with the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. Fellows serve as mock expert witnesses to learn the skills to be an expert witness in their future practice
• The direct hands-on care in the emergency department, the floors, and the intensive care units allows master of the subtle clinical findings of the poisoned patient.

Dr. Heather Borek on a group trip to the FBI academy

• Teaching is a priority and passion of our faculty
• Daily morning teaching with case reviews and bedside rounds followed by didactic sessions led by the attending medical toxicologist
• Fellows help lead the multidisciplinary rotation team, which includes residents, medical students, pharmacists, and pharmacy students
• Rotating lecture series at Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds where fellows hone their didactic skills
• Weekly fellow conference and board review
• In-the-field teaching with frequent toxicology group hikes highlighting poisonous plants, venomous animals, and wilderness survival
• Opportunities for fellows to give local, regional, and national lectures and presentations
• The fellow development curriculum includes enhancement of writing skills for publications and team leadership proficiencies
• Faculty and fellows listen to national webinars. Fellows can participate nationally in journal clubs and case conferences
• Simulation both on mannequins and volunteer victims as part of the simulation and wilderness medicine curriculum
• Innovative teaching techniques, such as toxicology-themed escape rooms and Jeopardy-style game

Faculty and learners sampling activated charcoal

The faculty of the Medical Toxicology program have a passion for teaching. Our faculty have won numerous teaching awards and are regarded throughout the School of Medicine as outstanding educators. Our learning environment is supportive and rigorous with very successful pass rates for the Medical Toxicology board examination, but more importantly, our fellows become very competent toxicologists. As the fellows’ success is our ultimate goal, we will challenge our fellows to develop themselves as clinicians and educators.

• An integral part of a successful academic career is the ability to conduct scholarship and research.
• Our team publishes numerous peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, chapters, and unique research studies in the epidemiological, clinical, and bench arenas.
• Our Division has a full-time dedicated faculty epidemiologist and associated data scientist and clinical research manager.
• We collaborate with the 12 schools housed at the University, enabling unique research opportunities.
• The University has numerous internal grants to which trainees can apply and hone their grant writing skills.
• Our team travels to numerous national and international conferences fully funded, giving the fellows the opportunity to meet peers.

Faculty and fellows gathering at ACMT toxicology conference

Fellow alumnus Dr. Alsufyani presenting at a national toxicology conference

• The toxicology team works closely with the Emergency Preparedness group at UVA Health
• Guide decontamination protocols
• Assist with mass chemical exposures via the Poison Center
• Strong partnership with local community fire and haz-mat teams

Team assisting with set up of mass decontamination tent

• We teach the business aspects of a successful medical toxicology practice and where funding can be obtained.
• Fellows will learn the operational aspects of managing a poison center.
• Additional administrative training can be obtained through a variety of classes offered by the University of Virginia.