Texas Children's Hospital welcomes only toxicologist in Houston

With Texas leading the nation in the number of snake bites,Texas Children's is now home to the only board-certified medical toxicologist in the city

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Texas Children's Hospital

Mar 19, 2014, 08:00 ET

HOUSTON, March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Children's Hospital is proud to announce the arrival of Dr. Spencer Greene, the only board-certified medical toxicologist in Houston. Greene recently joined the medical staff at Texas Children's as a consulting medical toxicologist and will continue his roles as director of medical toxicology and assistant professor of medicine and Baylor College of Medicine. For more information about toxicology and Texas Children's Emergency Center, visit texaschildrens.org

Thousands of people are bitten by snakes each year in the United States, and most incidents occur between April and October. Regardless of the type of species, all bites should be taken seriously. "Even though most people who are bitten by venomous snakes have good outcomes, there is the potential for serious tissue damage and, on rare occasion, even death from every species of copperhead, cottonmouth, and rattlesnake in the U.S.," said Greene.

Greene's role will extend well beyond the treatment of snake bites as he will diagnose and manage the effects of other poisonous or harmful substances that are hazardous to children and adolescents. Also board-certified in emergency medicine, he will be called upon for his expert opinions on treating accidental and intentional ingestions, toxic substance exposure, envenomation, occupational and environmental exposures or severe alcohol and drug abuse reactions.

Greene's clinical and research interests include snakebites, spider bites, scorpion stings, anticonvulsant toxicity, salicylate toxicity, substance abuse and gastrointestinal decontamination.

"We're thrilled to have Dr. Greene be part of our multidisciplinary team," said Dr. Paul Sirbaugh, chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Texas Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor. "His expertise will greatly contribute to the specialized evaluation and care we provide patients with various toxicities."

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation's first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that's channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

Contact:
Elizabeth Shackouls
832-771-9593
[email protected]

SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital