My name is Elizabeth Burnham, and I am one of the newest members of the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center. I am a PharmD and Specialist in Poison Information (SPI). My background is in pharmacy and health care informatics, and I have served as an SPI for the past year.

While it may have been the mission of my previous alma mater, guided by the founder of Maryville College, Rev. Isaac Anderson, to “do good on the largest possible scale”, it is still a vision I have upheld throughout my time as a graduate and continue to prioritize in my professional career.

I love serving in the role of an SPI because I believe the position enables health care professionals to effect change in the lives of patients on a larger scale than one might see in traditional roles, allows for individualized patient-centered care driven by collaborating interprofessional care teams, and provides opportunities to teach the public and encourage self-efficacy in managing certain acute situations. The work we do here at the poison center also helps reduce health care costs at the individual, institutional, and/or state-level, while improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

As a pharmacist, I cannot envision a more humbling and rewarding role in the health care field. This role allows me to provide a service to others and continually grow as a health care professional. While my time as an SPI has been brief, I understand this is where I am supposed to be. The pharmacist’s oath explicitly states that our career will include a “lifetime of service to others” and a “life-long obligation to improve [our] professional knowledge and competence.” I have been blessed to have the opportunity to uphold these values alongside nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and toxicologists, and I am hopeful to continue to serve in this role for many years to come.

Outside of the poison center, I am married to my husband and absolute best friend. Together we serve our communities as pharmacists and enjoy playing tennis, board game nights with friends and family, and spoiling our dog.

Please do not hesitate to reach out for questions or information. We are here for you and available 24/7. Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget – Each Needs The Help Of The Other!