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: Sara Morgan.
Why did you go into the field of nursing?
I always knew that I wanted to work in health care but didn’t find nursing until later in my career. I first got a degree in biology and forensic science. After college, I worked in clinical research where I worked with some amazing nurses who showed me how much nursing can offer. I have always known that I wanted to do something that would help and impact others and I found nursing to be a great way to help others and give back to my community.
How did you end up working at the poison center?
While working in emergency medicine, we often called the poison center and worked together on cases. Interacting with the poison center was a great way to learn about the world of toxicology and now I am able to continue giving back to my community by being a Poison Specialist.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love that I am learning something new every day! I also get to help people have peace of mind when something happens or help guide them to receive the care they need after a more serious poison exposure.
Why are poison centers and poison specialists like you important?
Poison centers are super important, especially in a world where emergency rooms (ER) are overcrowded and the staff is overworked. If we can help keep people at home in situations that do not require a visit to an emergency room, we do and will call to follow up. This can help lessen the burden on the emergency rooms and help the community not pay for an unnecessary ER visit.
What’s an important message you want to share about poison safety?
Keep medicines stored up, away, and out of sight. Also, make sure you have important conversations with your kids about the medicines you keep in the home. Discuss that they should only take medicine from a trusted adult, never taking medicine on their own or share with friends. Especially now that so many vitamins and some medicines come in gummy form that can easily be mistaken for candies in a child’s eyes.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
When I’m not at work I enjoy getting outside, going to the gym, and spending time with my husband and dog.
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