2025 Toxicology Committee Leader Spotlight
Laura Szczesniak, MD, PhD, Chair of the EMRA Toxicology Committee, 2025
Program: Medical College of Wisconsin
Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to highlight the diverse range of opportunities in Emergency Medicine and Toxicology, and to have as much fun as possible doing it!
What do you think are the top three traits of a great leader? Enthusiasm, collaboration, flexibility
If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: Either working for the National Park Service or a groundskeeper somewhere in the middle of the woods
What is your favorite hack for night shifts? Take at least one nap the day before heading into an overnight to avoid too much of a sleep deficit. Also, multiple forms of caffeine never hurts!
Claire Seo, MD, Chair-Elect of the EMRA Toxicology Committee, 2025
Program: Allegheny General Hospital
Your goal as an EMRA leader: One of my main goals as an EMRA leader is to further resident/medical student education by garnering, creating, and disseminating more resources and opportunities.
Why did you get involved in a professional society? I got involved in a professional society to meet others with both similar and different interests, to network within the specialty, and to advance the field.
What do you think are the top three traits of a great leader? Integrity, diligence, cultivating commitment and shared purpose
What is the best advice you have ever received? There is something to learn from every patient.
If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: Probably a diplomat (plus I love learning different languages!)
What is your favorite hack for night shifts? Drinking matcha tea before shift
Katherine (Kat) Markin, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Toxicology Committee, 2025
Program: George Washington University
Your goal as an EMRA leader: I am passionate about extending educational opportunities regarding toxicology to EMRA members with the goal of helping to improve the EM specialty. I will continue working to provide free toxicology resources to promote a broader, more inclusive learning environment for toxicology learners.
Why did you get involved in a professional society? Working with EMRA on the toxicology committee allows me to build on previous clinical experiences, to become a better doctor and leader, and to contribute to improving the EM specialty. I look forward to continuing to represent EM residents as a member of the EMRA leadership.
What is the best advice you've ever received? We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.
Favorite life hack for night shifts: Never ending americanos
What's the last non-textbook you read? Outlander
Favorite channel on social media? TikTok - Timmy the Chonk
Program: Related Content
