Illinois Poison Center medical director wins Unsung Hero award

The Illinois Poison Center medical director has been named an Unsung Hero of Public Health by the Center for Public Health Foundation.

Dr. Michael Wahl was nominated by congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) for the foundation’s Rock in the Pond award, which recognizes an individual’s work on a statewide, public health effort. Wahl accepted his award Tuesday in Washington.

Roskam and Wahl worked together on the Poison Center Network Act, which was signed into law in 2014 and makes funding for all poison centers a priority through 2019, according to a statement from the IPC.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Campaign for Public Health Foundation in this capacity, and I am very humbled by congressman Roskam’s nomination,” Wahl said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work with the congressman on public health initiatives and other matters of importance to Illinoisans in our shared goal of improving and protecting the health of our communities.”