• Blog
  • Maryland Poison Center
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
eAntidote
Blog of the Maryland Poison Center
  • Blog
  • Maryland Poison Center
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
Home  /  About Us • Meet Our Experts  /  Meet Our Experts: Rama
29 November 2022

Meet Our Experts: Rama

Guest Staff Pharmacist, Poison Expert, Specialist in Poison Information Leave a Comment
Rama Arvind

One of the goals of our eAntidote blog is to introduce you to the real poison experts who answer the phones at the Maryland Poison Center (MPC), as well as our staff members. In addition to being nurses and pharmacists, they are parents, grandparents, artists, athletes, sports fans, and more! Read the Q&A below to get to know one of our specialists: Rama Arvind.

Why did you go into the field of pharmacy?

My passion for chemistry and biology began in high school. I also had an interest in the health care field. Pharmacy is a profession that combines all of those interests, in addition to being able to help others. Pharmacists play an integral part in a patient’s health care team and is a well-rounded profession.

How did you end up working at the poison center?

After working several years as a retail and specialty pharmacist, I was ready for a change and some challenge. My search for a new opportunity lead me to MPC and I am grateful.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I really enjoy working with and learning from the most amazing and knowledgeable group of people here at the MPC. I continue to learn every day and use my knowledge to help patients get the best possible care.

Why are poison centers and poison specialists like you important?

Poison centers operate 24/7 and the poison specialists are readily accessible to the public and health care professionals by calling 1-800-222-1222. As poison experts, we have a unique set of knowledge that’s gained through extensive training and years of experience. We assess the nature and severity of a poisoning by using our background and appropriate resources to recommend appropriate treatment. At the MPC, we also provide education and outreach programs to the public and health care providers to teach them about the MPC and poison safety.

What’s an important message you want to share about poison safety?

As Paracelsus says, “all things are poison, and nothing is without poison. The dose makes the poison.”

Keep all household products, chemicals, and medicines in their original labeled containers. Store things up, away, and out of sight from children and pets.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

Outside of work I enjoy reading, watching movies, and running. I recently completed my first marathon! I also like to travel and hike with my family and our dog.

About Author

Guest Staff

From time to time, we’ll feature posts from one of our staff members. We have 14 Specialists in Poison Information (we call them “SPIs,” pronounced like “spy”) who are pharmacists or nurses that have more than 250 combined years of experience answering our phones, and who have all passed an additional certification exam that tests their knowledge of poisons of all kinds. We also have Toxicology Fellows who are completing a two-year fellowship in clinical toxicology to develop their knowledge and skills to prepare them for their future career. Before joining our team, they worked in pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals. It’s safe to say they’ve heard it all.

Previous Article Poison Safety Tips While Traveling
Next Article Student Reflections – Fall 2022

Related Posts

  • Autumn Carrow

    Meet Our Experts: Autumn

  • Melinda Lee

    Meet Our Experts: Melinda

  • Becky Warren

    Meet Our Experts: Becky

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Tags

About Us Adults Alcohol Antifreeze Button Batteries Cannabis Carbon Monoxide child-resistant packaging Children Cigarettes Cleaning Products E-cigarettes Food Poisoning Grandparents Hand Sanitizer Historic Poisonings Holiday Safety Home Laundry Pods Medicine Medicine Disposal Medicine Safety Nicotine Nurse Older Adults Over-the Counter Parents Personal Care Products Pharmacist Plants Poison Expert Poison Exposures Poison Myths Poison Safety Pre-Teens Safe Storage Seasonal Specialist in Poison Information Supplements Swimming Pools Teens Toxicology Fellowship Toy Safety Traveling Vaping

Join Our Mailing List!

Stay up to date on trending poison topics by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

Recent Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket
    Spring Cleaning April 24, 2025
  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow
    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three February 28, 2025
  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.
    Poison Help for Older Adults January 29, 2025
  • Lighted background with present wrapped in blue bow with decorative pine and white berries
    A Wrapped Gift – Holiday Poison Safety December 16, 2024

Social Media

Comment Policy

We welcome your comments. Please note that this is a moderated blog. All comments will be reviewed before they are posted, which will result in a delay in the posting of comments. Please leave comments that are respectful and useful. Malicious, anonymous, and promotional comments will not be posted. We reserve the right to remove comments from the site at any time.

For more information, please review the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Social Media Code of Ethics. 

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact us.

Instagram

View on Instagram

Maryland Poison Center (@mdpoisoncenter) Instagram photos and videos

Recent Posts

  • Cleaning products in and around a cleaning bucket
    Spring Cleaning April 24, 2025
  • Young girl outside in the snow holding a pile of snow
    Will Kids Really Eat That? Part Three February 28, 2025
  • Happy senior couple looking through window at home.
    Poison Help for Older Adults January 29, 2025
  • Lighted background with present wrapped in blue bow with decorative pine and white berries
    A Wrapped Gift – Holiday Poison Safety December 16, 2024
© Copyright 2014 Maryland Poison Center. Theme by BloomPixel. | Privacy