Medical Director of the Illinois Poison Center in Chicago Michael S. Wahl, MD, has been named an "Unsung Hero of Public Health" by the Campaign for Public Health Foundation, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The nonprofit Illinois Poison Center in Chicago takes calls from individuals throughout the state who suspect or have been exposed to poison, 90 percent of which can be treated at the site of exposure. By calling the center, many Illinoisans are able to avoid costly ambulance runs and emergency department visits, according to the report.
As medical director, Dr. Wahl oversees the establishment and management of the poison center public health hotlines. Under his leadership, the center has partnered with the Illinois Attorney General's office to monitor trends and limit the usage of various toxins, such as bath salts and synthetic drugs.
Dr. Wahl — who also serves as an emergency department physician with Evanston, Ill.-based NorthShore University HealthSystem — worked with U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) on the Poison Center Network Act, which prioritized funding for all poison centers nationwide through 2019. The act was signed into law in 2014.
Dr. Wahl and his fellow award recipients were honored for their exemplary work in public health at a special reception in Washington, D.C. The Campaign for Public Health Foundation works to educate the public, media, policy makers, and others about the crucial role public health plays in the nation's health system.
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