SAN ANTONIO (Dec. 22, 2010) — Miguel C. Fernández, M.D., medical toxicologist at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, was appointed this month to the National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors. This 15-member board controls toxicology testing across the U.S. and informs the public about potentially toxic chemicals.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the appointment, which is through June 2013. Dr. Fernández, professor of surgery in the Health Science Center School of Medicine, is director of the South Texas Poison Center, which provides assessment, referral and treatment recommendations to the public by phone 24 hours a day.
Dr. Fernández is board certified in emergency medicine and medical toxicology, and is a fellow of the American College of Medical Toxicology and the American College of Emergency Physicians. His research interests include snakebites, poisonings, environmental health, international health and health care disparities.
The South Texas Poison Center is one of six regional poison centers in Texas and is the designated center for Health Service Regions 8 and 11, covering 47 counties and 53,000 square miles. Service is free and confidential. The center is available to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-222-1222.
UT Medicine San Antonio is the clinical practice of the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. With more than 700 doctors – all faculty from the School of Medicine – UT Medicine is the largest medical practice in Central and South Texas, with expertise in more than 60 different branches of medicine. Primary care doctors and specialists see patients in private practice at UT Medicine’s clinical home, the Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC), located in the South Texas Medical Center at 8300 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio 78229. Most major health plans are accepted, and there are clinics and physicians at several local and regional hospitals, including CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, University Hospital and Baptist Medical Center. Call (210) 450-9000 to schedule an appointment, or visit the Web site at www.UTMedicine.org for a complete listing of clinics and phone numbers. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit www.uthscsa.edu.