ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) has named Deborah A. Carr as its new executive director, according to AAPCC President Richard Dart, M.D., Ph.D.
With more than 30 years of leadership in the voluntary health sector, Carr has held executive positions at both the local affiliate and national levels for several nonprofit health organizations, including the Epilepsy Foundation of America and Easter Seals. Her career achievements include establishing strategic national partnerships with government, industry and private organizations. Carr also has extensive experience working with the National Institute of Medicine; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau. She has led numerous national public health education campaigns and served on expert committees focused on emerging public health issues.
"Debbie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to lead the AAPCC into the future," Dart said. "As executive director, she will have the opportunity to promote the association's leadership and expertise in poison treatment and prevention, public health, and response to mass casualty incidents. The AAPCC Board of Directors and members look forward to working with her to advance the lifesaving mission and work of poison centers across America."
As executive director, Carr's responsibilities include providing vision, creativity and leadership to the AAPCC, as well as serving as a public advocate for the association, toxicology and poison prevention. She also is responsible for implementing board-directed strategies, programs and policies that support the vision, mission and values of the AAPCC.
"It is my honor to join the AAPCC and move such an important mission forward," Carr said. "Poison education, prevention, research and rapid response to inquiries regarding poisons is a critical public health initiative in this country."
The AAPCC supports the nation's 57 poison centers in their efforts to treat and prevent drug, consumer product, animal, environmental and food poisoning. Members maintain the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 that provides free, private, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year from toxicology specialists, including nurses, pharmacists, physicians and poison information providers. In addition, the AAPCC maintains the only poison information and surveillance database in the United States, providing real-time monitoring of unusual poisoning patterns, chemical exposures and other emerging public health hazards. The AAPCC partners with HRSA, CDC, the Environmental Protection Agency and private industry.
For more information, the media may contact Loreeta Canton, communications manager, American Association of Poison Control Centers, at 703.894.1863 or canton@aapcc.org.
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Loreeta Canton
Communications Manager
703-894-1863
American Association of Poison Control Centers
515 King Street, Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
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