Glenview Resident Named 'Unsung Hero of Public Health'

Photo: Dr. Michael Wahl (right) with Rep. Peter Roskam

Glenview resident Dr. Michael Wahl, MD, was honored by a national foundation for his commitment to public health.

The Center for Public Health Foundation has designated Wahl, Illinois Poison Center (IPC) Medical Director, an Unsung Hero of Public Health. Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) nominated Wahl for the Foundation’s nationwide Rock in the Pond Award, which recognizes an individual’s work on a state-wide public health effort that produced remarkable outcomes.

“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,” said Wahl, who also serves as Medical Director for the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, the IPC’s parent organization. “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.”

The IPC handles tens of thousands of poison exposure calls each year from individuals, parents and caregivers throughout the Illinois. Ninety percent of these cases can be treated at the site of exposure, saving Illinois families money by reducing the need for costly ambulance runs and emergency department visits, and freeing up medical resources to respond to and aid critical care patients.

In order to preserve the lifesaving and educational services that poison centers provide nationwide, 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.

“Dr. Wahl’s record of achievement and his commitment to public service and to the health and well-being of Illinoisans is admirable. I am pleased to be able to recognize that commitment by having nominated him for the Foundation’s Rock in the Pond Award,” said Roskam. “His dedication has made our communities better, and I am thrilled the Campaign for Public Health Foundation has honored him an Unsung Hero of Public Health.”

Under Wahl’s direction, the IPC has also established and managed Illinois public health hotlines, including H1N1, MERS and Ebola. Wahl is a member of the Illinois Department of Public Health Work Group that works to combat prescription drug abuse and potential transition to heroin use, and that has partnered with the Attorney General’s office, law enforcement and public health officials to monitor the trends and limit the usage of toxins such as bath salts and synthetic drugs.