Impact Story: Peter Akpunonu, MD
Peter Akpokunu, MD
2014 MTF Travel Award for Underrepresented Minority Medical Trainees Award Recipient
Award Purpose: Travel to attend ACMT Annual Scientific Meeting
Award Amount: $1,500
Funding Year: 2014
About Dr. Akpunonu
Dr. Akpunonu is currently the Medical Director for Medical Toxicology and Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He is also the Medical Director of the Kentucky Regional Poison Center.
Peter Akpunonu, MD, received the 2014 MTF Travel Award for Underrepresented Minority Medical Trainees to attend the ACMT Annual Scientific Meeting in 2014. Now at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, Peter is an assistant professor of emergency medicine, emergency medicine physician, medical toxicologist, and medical director for hyperbaric medicine service, as well as the toxicology consultation service.
After undergrad at The Ohio State University, Peter returned to his hometown and graduated from the University of Toledo, College of Medicine, where much to his parents’ chagrin (father is an internist and mother is a urologist) he was introduced to emergency medicine by his advisor Kristopher Brickman, MD. Peter completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Kansas Hospital where his faculty advisor, Stephen Thornton, MD, steered him toward toxicology and encouraged Peter to apply for the 2014 MTF Travel Award.
During his residency, Peter chose an elective at Oregon Health & Science University where Drs. Robert Hendrickson and Zane Horowitz helped Peter confirm that toxicology was the right specialty for him. Peter then completed his fellowship at OHSU.
“My advice is to find a mentor. My career has been strongly influenced by my mentors and those that continue to guide me directly and indirectly. No one completes this on their own, and as a group I think toxicologists are among the most willing to mentor.”
- Peter Akpunonu, MD
Q: What do you believe was the reason you won the 2014 Travel Award for Underrepresented Minority Medical Trainees?
A: I like to believe the application reviewers saw my potential. Winning the award was one more confirmation that I was making the right choice in medical toxicology. The award gave me the opportunity to meet Drs. Paul Wax and Ziad Kazzi, who have provided me mentorship and support.
Q: Why did you gravitate toward the field of medical toxicology?
A: I have always found drugs of abuse and pharmacology interesting. I was fortunate enough to have advisors and mentors that encouraged these interests. When I reflect on my choice, it seems inevitable that I became a medical toxicologist.
Q: What is your current project?
A: I am working to improve minority engagement and overall engagement in medical toxicology. I was fortunate to have my mentee, David Bala, MD win the 2019 MTF Award, and I know that he has spoken in length to rotating medical students and junior residents. I hope that in the coming years I can have residents apply and match into medical toxicology.
Q: Any advice to future awardees or applicants?
A: My advice is to find a mentor. My career has been strongly influenced by my mentors and those that continue to guide me directly and indirectly. No one completes this on their own, and as a group I think toxicologists are among the most willing to mentor.