[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1814-E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. MICHAEL WAHL, MD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. ROSKAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Michael Wahl, who 
I am pleased to nominate for the Wave Maker Award for the 5th Annual 
Unsung Heroes of Public Health Campaign. This award recognizes 
individuals for their work on a major regional or national program that 
has had a significant positive impact on an important public health 
issue.
   Dr. Wahl has devoted his life to improving public health and safety 
in Illinois. Since 1998, he has served as the Medical Director for the 
Illinois Poison Cente--the oldest poison center in the United States. 
During his tenure, Dr. Wahl initiated the Poison Center Hotline, which 
currently treats over 90% of incoming accidental poisoning calls at 
home without a trip to a medical facility. The Hotline saves the State 
of Illinois $52 million in unnecessary health care costs each year and 
has prevented thousands of severe medical emergencies. Building on this 
successful model, Dr. Wahl has set up similar state hotlines for H1N1, 
Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and currently Ebola, which 
provide the general public and health care providers with vital 
information during infectious disease outbreaks.
   Dr. Wahl and the Illinois Poison Center have also done important 
work in conjunction with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General 
and law enforcement to observe trends in synthetic drug use and provide 
local officials with data and surveillance on these chemicals. Because 
of these initiatives, synthetic drug use in Illinois has not reached 
the high prevalence experienced by other states. Finally, Dr. Wahl 
lends his time and experience to the Illinois Department of Public 
Health Work Group to reduce the alarming rate of heroin use by 
prescription drug abusers. In these many challenging endeavors, Dr. 
Wahl brings an unparalleled passion for service and a commitment to 
improve lives throughout the State of Illinois.
   Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in honoring 
Dr. Michael Wahl

[[Page E1815]]

for his dedicated work in expanding access to health care and his 
innovative efforts to strengthen public health for the people of 
Illinois and congratulating him on his nomination for the Wave Maker 
Award.

                          ____________________