Washington Poison Center Appoints Dr. Colleen Cowdery as Chief Medical Officer

Strategic Insights -

The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) has announced the hiring of Dr. Colleen Cowdery as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Cowdery, a board-certified emergency medicine specialist and fellowship-trained medical toxicologist, will provide medical oversight to WAPC's call center staff and support clinical education and outreach efforts. With her expertise in emergency medicine and toxicology, Dr. Cowdery will strengthen WAPC's ability to provide exceptional care and education across the state. Her leadership will also enhance WAPC's clinical services and expand its outreach to healthcare providers and the community.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Colleen Cowdery, a board-certified emergency medicine specialist and fellowship-trained medical toxicologist, has been appointed as the Chief Medical Officer of the Washington Poison Center (WAPC).
  • Dr. Cowdery will provide medical oversight to WAPC's call center staff, including pharmacists, nurses, and physicians, ensuring high-quality poisoning treatment advice and consultations.
  • She will also support clinical education and outreach at the local, state, and national level for healthcare providers, as well as WAPC's toxicology training programs for emergency medicine physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and EMTs.
  • Dr. Cowdery has completed a two-year fellowship in medical toxicology at the Oregon Poison Center and has authored manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of emergency medicine and toxicology.
  • Her current areas of active research include hydrofluoric acid, calcium channel antagonist toxicity, and the poisonous Amanita smithiana mushroom, which grows in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Dr. Cowdery will lead WAPC's clinical services and expand its outreach to healthcare providers and the community, building on her expertise in emergency medicine and toxicology.

Statistics:

  • WAPC covers the entire state of Washington, providing 24/7 access to toxicology expertise and poisoning treatment advice.
  • Dr. Cowdery has a strong background in teaching and research, with a focus on emergency medicine and toxicology.
  • WAPC offers toxicology training programs for emergency medicine physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and EMTs, enhancing healthcare provider knowledge and skills in managing poisoning cases.
  • The Amanita smithiana mushroom, which Dr. Cowdery is researching, is a poisonous variety that grows in the Pacific Northwest, underscoring the importance of WAPC's services in this region.

Sources:

  • Washington Poison Center (WAPC) press release, dated August 29, 2025
  • Dr. Scott Phillips, CEO of WAPC
  • Dr. Colleen Cowdery, Chief Medical Officer of WAPC
  • University of Florida College of Medicine
  • University of Florida Health Jacksonville
  • Oregon Poison Center