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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5 N E W S L E T T E R
L E T T E R F R O M O U R P R E S I D E N T
Dear Members,
Winter is coming! For many of us who are fans of Game of Thrones, this phrase may send a familiar chill down the spine. For ACMT staff and our Board of Directors, however, it signals the excitement and anticipation of several major initiatives coming to fruition.
Ziad Kazzi, MD, FACMT
President, American College of Medical Toxicology
T O P S T O R I E S
2026 ACMT Seminar in Forensic Toxicology
January 20 - 21, 2026 | Virtual
Developed in partnership with CFSRE, this seminar is a two-day live virtual course covering courtroom testimony, lab testing, case interpretation, and emerging substances. Includes CE (up to 13 hours) and 90-day on-demand access!
New Fentalog Article
Dr. Dan McCabe and the ACMT ToxIC team published, “Level of care following suspected opioid or stimulant overdose with self-harm intent” in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. This Fentalog study reported that intentionality for opioid overdose influenced patients' hospital utilization. These findings highlight the need for standardized, equitable disposition strategies that consider both medical and psychiatric needs.
Giving Feels Good
And so does winning! The MTF Annual Campaign is underway and your support, no matter the amount, has the power to create meaningful change! We are incredibly grateful for the support of our generous donors.
New this year - for every $100 you donate to the MTF 2025 Annual Campaign, you’ll be entered to win your choice of one of our fantastic prizes!
AMA Interim Meeting
We’re grateful to Dr. Jacob Altholz and Dr. Andrew Stolbach for representing ACMT at the AMA Interim Meeting last weekend. Their engagement helps ensure that medical toxicologists have a strong voice in the House of Medicine.
A special thanks to Jacob for his leadership and deep knowledge of AMA processes, and to Andrew for bringing fresh perspective and energy to this important work. Their commitment helps move our field forward in meaningful ways.
A C M T P O S I T I O N S T A T E M E N T S
Preventing Opioid Exposure to Emergency Responders
ACMT and AACT have released a new position statement about occupational opioid exposure to emergency responders. They have found that the risk of clinically significant opioid exposure to law enforcement officers and other emergency responders performing routine duties-including overdose care-is essentially zero.
Preventing Cannabis Exposures in Children Revision
In consideration of new research and clinical experience, ACMT has updated our previous statement, which is intended to guide rules and legislation for the purpose of decreasing the exposure of young children to toxicity from cannabis products.
Determining Brain Death After Drug Overdose
ACMT agrees with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recommendation that the clinical determination of brain death should only be made in the absence of drug intoxication or poisoning. In cases where brain death is considered but intoxication is unclear, consultation with a medical toxicologist or clinical toxicologist is recommended.
M E D T O X I N T H E N E W S
"Some Minnesota counties spent opioid settlement money on police dogs" by Alyssa Chen, Minnesota Reformer
ACMT’s recent position statement on emergency responder accidental opioid exposure is cited in a Minnesota Reformer article on inappropriate opioid settlement money expenditures.
Drug policy researcher Abigail Winiker goes into depth about how to best allocate resources to those directly affected.
T E C H U P D A T E
Changes coming to ACMT's Member System
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, ACMT is making important upgrades to streamline and improve your experience with our technology. We have already begun transitioning from ACMT Connect to a new, integrated community.
While ACMT Connect will be replaced, the Learning Center will still be available during this transitional period. At this time, no action is required on your part.
A big thank you to everyone who has shared feedback with us so far — your input is invaluable.
S T A F F S P O T L I G H T
Cody Budd
Title: Education Program Coordinator
Hometown: Mishawaka, Indiana
College: Indiana University South Bend
If you weren’t in this field, what would you be doing?: I'd likely find myself somewhere studying music history, linguistics, or something rooted in ethnographical study
Favorite medical-themed show, book, movie, etc.?: St. Denis Medical
What’s one thing you’re excited to learn at ACMT?: Familiarity with the nonprofit space
M E M B E R O P P O R T U N I T I E S
Upcoming Dates
Dec 1: Early bird registration for #ACMT2026 begins
Dec 2: National Journal Club
Dec 5: Addiction Toxicology Case Conference
Dec 9: National Grand Rounds
Dec 18: National Case Conference
Dec 25 - Jan 1: ACMT Office Closed
Jan 5: So You Wanna Be an Expert Witness? An ACMT Legal & Consultative Section Panel Discussion
Jan 20 - 21: 2026 ACMT Seminar in Forensic Toxicology
The Practice Grant is Back
The MTF is excited to once again provide this grant opportunity which offers up to $10,000 in funding for innovative research that explores the economic and clinical impact of medical toxicology services. Applications are due March 2, 2026.
Have questions? Join us for a Zoom Info Session on Tuesday, January 6, from 12:00–1:00pm ET. Register for session.
Did you miss our ToxIC Research Webinar? Don't worry!
ACMT ToxIC’s Research Director, Dr. Rachel Culbreth, presented our 3rd ToxIC Research Seminar, “Design, Analyze, Discover: A Deep Dive into the Core Registry Part II,” on October 30th. This webinar — along with all past ToxIC Research Seminars — is now available to stream for free through ACMT’s Learning Center.
J O B B O A R D
Faculty Physician – Emergency Medicine & Toxicology
Location: Department of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
Medical Lab Scientist (Toxicology)
Location: Sonora Quest Laboratories, Phoenix, AZ
Assistant Professor Toxicology, Emergency Medicine
Location: McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
If you are interested in posting to this board, please fill out the post request form.
Questions? Contact us at info@acmt.net
C O N N E C T W I T H U S
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