Course 3: Toxicology and Mandatory Reporting

Christine Gold, MD is a Pediatric Hospitalist and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics for the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her clinical work is in the level 1 newborn nursery setting. Dr. Gold is a co-chair for the Illuminate/SuPPoRT Colorado Policy Analysis Workgroup and a leader in substance-exposed newborn work at UCHealth. She works closely with organizations across Colorado to optimize and standardize care of substance-affected families.

Laurie Halmo, MD: Dr. Halmo is a medical toxicologist and an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Section of Hospital Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado. In addition to her clinical work as a pediatric hospitalist and medical toxicologist, Dr. Halmo is a volunteer faculty member at Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety (the region’s Poison Control Center) and works closely with the region’s Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit on a variety of initiatives related to children’s environmental health. She is also involved in numerous quality improvement initiatives related to the care of hospitalized toxicology patients, with a particular focus on children and maternal-infant dyads affected by substance use and children in out-of-home placement such as foster or kinship care.

Angela Swafford, MA, LCSW Angela Swafford (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker and clinical informaticist with a passion for working with and advocating for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. She has worked at UCHealth since 2017 where she is a Program Director for the Behavioral Health Service Line. Angela is also a part of the MOMs+ team where she supports birthing hospitals in Colorado in providing equitable access to treatment and recovery for perinatal patients with substance use disorders. Angela has a diverse clinical background including experience working in human trafficking prevention, community mental health, managed care, and hospital settings. In 2018, Angela helped to develop and support the University of Colorado Hospital Emergency Department buprenorphine induction program which ignited her passion for helping individuals impacted by SUD. Angela has been involved in statewide initiatives such as the inpatient MAT task force led by the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) and has testified before the Colorado Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders Interim Study Committee at the Capitol. As an informaticist, Angela is an Epic Builder and holds two certifications from Epic in Verona, Wisconsin. Angela is also passionate about animal rescue and advocacy and fosters dogs saved from euthanasia in surrounding states with her husband and three resident dogs.