Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University Program

The Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University Medical Toxicology Fellowship offers a comprehensive training program for those who have completed a residency in emergency medicine, internal medicine, family medicine, occupational medicine, preventative medicine, or pediatrics. The fellowship is located at one of the busiest poison centers in the country, the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center. This unique setting provides fellows with extensive exposure to both adult and pediatric patients who present with toxicological emergencies.1

Fellows will engage in a diverse clinical experience across several hospitals within the Detroit Medical Center, including Detroit Receiving Hospital, Harper Hospital, Sinai Grace Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Michigan. Their rotations encompass various specialties such as occupational and environmental toxicology, forensic toxicology, and laboratory medicine. Each fellow is also encouraged to pursue additional training in hazardous materials, hyperbaric medicine, and radiation medicine, thereby broadening their expertise and scope of practice.1

Program Curriculum

The educational component of the fellowship includes a robust curriculum designed to equip fellows with the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent and manage toxicological emergencies, in alignment with the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center's initiatives. An intensive one-month course in toxicology forms part of this offering, with participation from medical students, physicians, and pharmacists, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to toxicology education.1

Affiliated Training Sites

The fellowship allows fellows to rotate through significant training sites. Detroit Receiving Hospital is a Level 1 adult trauma center with an annual emergency department volume exceeding 76,000 visits. Sinai-Grace Hospital, also a Level 1 adult trauma center, logs over 100,000 visits annually, providing rich training experiences in high-acuity environments. Additionally, fellows gain pediatric experience at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, which serves as a Level 1 pediatric trauma center, handling upwards of 93,000 emergency visits yearly, coupled with exposure at Harper University Hospital, a tertiary referral center, and Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, contributing to a comprehensive training experience.2

Research Opportunities

Fellows are actively encouraged to engage in research, particularly in areas pertinent to medical toxicology and emergency medicine. The faculty's strong background in various research domains supports fellows in developing projects and pursuing publication opportunities, enhancing their scholarly portfolios.3

Visa Sponsorship and Support

The fellowship program is supportive of international applicants and can sponsor visas, ensuring that foreign medical graduates have the same opportunities to apply for and engage in the program. The type of visas typically sponsored includes J-1 and H-1B visas, recommending that interested international candidates confirm eligibility and gather application materials early in the process.1

Application and Competitiveness

The Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University Medical Toxicology Fellowship is categorized as a highly competitive program. Candidates are required to have already completed a residency program in one of the specified fields. The program considers potential applicants who have demonstrated excellence in their training and possess a strong commitment to advancing the specialty of medical toxicology.1

Special Considerations for Applicants

While applicants need to have completed their residency, there are no explicit requirements regarding the year of graduation from medical school or a maximum number of failed STEP exams noted, making the program accessible to a diverse candidate pool, including those who may be international medical graduates (IMGs). The program values a well-rounded applicant with clinical experience and a passionate interest in toxicology.1