Friends and Colleagues,

Reconnecting with friends at our Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC this past April was a true joy. Reflecting on the meeting’s successes, we have so much to celebrate. ASM set a record attendance with 444 participants from 41 states and 16 countries. This surge in interest is reflected in the 45 plenary proposals and 272 abstract submissions.

Due to wide interest in academic content from our membership, we piloted concurrent tracks in Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Addiction Toxicology, DEI, and Research. This was well received. Program highlights included NIDA Director, Dr. Nora Volkow’s keynote presentation for  this year’s Donovan Lectureship on “Groundbreaking Research Addressing the Challenges of the Opioid Epidemic,” and honoring Dr. Keith Burkhart as the 2024 ACMT Career Achievement Award recipient. Building on these successes, ASM 2025 in Vancouver is certain to impress all who attend.

In the meantime, interested members may continue to enjoy unrivaled educational content. Those preparing for the Medical Toxicology Board Exam can now enroll in the Virtual Board Review Course. This year, the course provides flexible access to lectures, flipped classroom learning, and live interactive cram sessions. Other members looking for fresh content may register for the 2024 ACMT Total Tox course which will take place over three Fridays in November (11/1, 11/8, 11/15.). The Total Tox course has updated content and more platform discussions. Watch your inbox for additional educational opportunities throughout the year.

2024 marks the 20th year of continuous publication for the Journal of Medical Toxicology. JMT remains the consequential and respectful voice for our membership while providing the opportunity to illustrate the value of medical toxicology. In continuing with that vision, JMT has recently published the first ACMT Research Agenda 2024 - 2030. This article highlights ACMT research priorities and is the first publication of this type for our organization. This agenda will guide the scientific discoveries necessary to foster innovation in our specialty while continuing to improve patient care. Be sure to read this and more in the recently released summer issue of the journal. (Free member access available when logged in to the ACMT Member Center.)

Together with ACMT, the Medical Toxicology Foundation continues to support the research and academic pursuits of our membership. Over the past year, MTF has provided tens of thousands of dollars in research funding, a dozen travel scholarships to residents and students, and a virtual industry rotation for fellows. Read the recently released MTF 2023 Annual Impact Report to learn more about the good work of the MTF. Along with the upcoming Annual Campaign, the MTF Future Fund is another way you can contribute to a sustainable future to support excellence in Medical Toxicology training and patient care. Without the support from both you and our institutional and corporate partnerships, these successes are not possible. Thank you for continuing to support the MTF. 

ACMT continues to work hard to advance our specialty and support you. Our unwavering commitment to steady growth is evident in the positive impact to our patients and health care overall. We remain excited for the future of Medical Toxicology and are committed to our friends and patients everywhere. 

Good luck to everyone studying for the Board Exam!

Anthony Pizon, MD, FACMT
President, American College of Medical Toxicology