SYRACUSE, N.Y. (August 24, 2023) – This summer the Upstate New York Poison Center transitioned to a new Clinical Director after Christine Stork, PharmD, BSPharm, MPH, DABAT, FAACT, branched off in a new direction. While Dr. Stork left her role of 28 years, she didn't go far. She is still at the poison center as a toxicologist and leading the Clinical Toxicology Rotation at Upstate Medical University and the more than 70 learners who come through our poison center each year. She also started a new role at Upstate Medical University as Co-Pharmacology Thread Leader at the Norton College of Medicine and remains as a faculty member within the Department of Emergency Medicine at Upstate, where she holds the academic title of Clinical Professor.

Jeanna Marraffa, PharmD, MPH, DABAT, FAACT, who was previously our Assistant Clinical Director, is now the Clinical Director of the Upstate New York Poison Center. Dr. Marraffa started as a Fellow at our poison center from 2002-2004, then was hired as a Clinical Toxicologist. She became our Assistant Clinical Director in 2017.

Dr. Marraffa shared this insight on Dr. Stork and her storied career, “During her tenure as Clinical Director of the Upstate New York Poison Center, Dr. Stork’s accomplishments are many. Because of her, our poison center became nationally certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers in 1996. She led our center as the catchment area increased from serving a population of 14 counties to 54 counties in New York State. She is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of toxicology and has served on the Board of Trustees for the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the American Board of Applied Toxicology. Within Upstate Medical University, Dr. Stork single-handedly created the Clinical Toxicology consult service to assist in providing excellent patient care to poisoned patients in our hospital, a service that still exists to this day.  She has trained hundreds of residents and students and has set the path for a multidisciplinary, fully integrated environment inclusive to all medical professionals.

The College of Medicine couldn’t be luckier to have her in her new role. Her expertise as an educator is unmatched and she will be an asset to the College of Medicine. Though she has stepped down from her role as Clinical Director to increase her role within the college, our poison center is still very lucky to have her remain within our department and continue to share her expertise and experience. On a personal note, there are so many words that I can say, and none will ever truly reflect the impact she has had on my career. Not only has she been my mentor, but she is also my friend. I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with her for the last 21 years and I can’t thank her enough for all that she has done for me. I am thankful that she isn’t going anywhere and will continue to be in the office next door!”

Michele Caliva, Administrative Director of the Upstate New York Poison Center, says, “Dr. Stork has been integral to our poison center's growth and success over the last 25-plus years.  Since her arrival, she has elevated this poison center from a small regional center to a large statewide center with national accreditation. It was because of Dr. Stork’s leadership and mentorship that the Upstate Poison Center has received and maintained national accreditation and that the staff have achieved certification within this field. Dr. Stork is responsible for many “firsts” for our center. For example, she developed a toxicology service that provides onsite consultation for patients at Upstate as well as in other local hospitals. She initiated our Annual Toxicology Teaching Day for healthcare providers and emergency medicine residents. She developed a clinical rotation program for learners from many disciplines which includes emergency medicine residents, pediatric residents, PharmD students, medical students, and PharmD residents. Dr. Stork also created a PharmD Fellowship program that has resulted in many graduates of this program taking on leadership roles within poison centers and other organizations across the country. She has developed and provides toxicology education to medical and pharmacy students across the state.  On a personal note, I credit Dr. Stork with many of my successes and achievements throughout my career at the poison center. She has generously shared her time, knowledge, and expertise. Dr. Stork models excellence as an educator, clinician, and as a leader. On many occasions, it has been due to her efforts that our poison center has been able to continue to provide this service to our community. I look forward to her continued involvement at our center.”