San Antonio (Feb. 17, 2004) – Miguel C. Fernández, M.D., medical director of the South Texas Poison Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has been appointed to the Board of Scientific Counselors for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson invited
Dr. Fernández to serve on the Board of Scientific Counselors. The ATSDR, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serves the public “by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances,” according to its mission statement.
Dr. Fernández, associate professor of surgery at the Health Science Center, completed his postgraduate training in medical toxicology at the Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson and emergency medicine training at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has received numerous honors and awards. He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Toxicology and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Dr. Fernández is a medical expert in toxicology and poison control and has been involved both nationally and internationally in the development of poison centers. Current projects include poisoning prevention education, herbal medication toxicology, acetaminophen toxicity, snakebite envenomizations, hyperbaric medicine, plant toxins and U.S.-Mexico border toxicology.
The South Texas Poison Center is a free and confidential public service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-222-1222.