Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., M.B.A.

Biography

Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., M.B.A., joins Florida Atlantic University as Dean and Chief of Health Affairs at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. A nationally recognized leader in academic emergency medicine, medical toxicology, and addiction medicine, Dr. Nelson brings over three decades of experience in medical education, clinical care, and academic leadership to FAU.

Prior to joining FAU in 2025, Dr. Nelson served as Professor and founding Chair of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he also held the position of Chief of Service for the Emergency Department at University Hospital of Newark. His leadership drove remarkable growth: expanding the residency program, doubling the faculty size, establishing five fellowship programs, and increasing clinical revenue while maintaining a strong focus on educational excellence and research productivity. He also served as Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine, developing innovative approaches to the clinical management of poisoning and overdose and addressing complex substance use challenges.

Dr. Nelson has served as President of the Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine, held positions on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Emergency Medicine, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, and led the American College of Medical Toxicology as President. His work with numerous professional organizations and governmental agencies has shaped medical education, health policy, and clinical practice nationally.

Looking forward, Dr. Nelson's vision for the Schmidt College of Medicine focuses on three key areas: expanding research capabilities, advancing clinical excellence through strategic partnerships, and fostering innovation in medical education. This vision, coupled with his commitment to collaborative leadership and community engagement, aligns with FAU's improve health outcomes in South Florida and beyond.

A distinguished scholar, Dr. Nelson has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and serves as lead editor of Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, the definitive text in medical toxicology. His research interests span emergency medicine, medical toxicology, and addiction medicine, with particular focus on opioid use and alcohol withdrawal, patient safety, and public health and health policy challenges.

Education

• M.B.A. - Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University
• M.D. - State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn (Downstate), cum laude
• B.S. - Emory University

Clinical Training

• Medical Toxicology Fellowship - New York University School of Medicine
• Emergency Medicine Residency - Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Chief Resident)
• General Surgery Internship - Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Board Certifications

• Emergency Medicine, American Board of Emergency Medicine
• Medical Toxicology, American Board of Emergency Medicine
• Addiction Medicine, American Board of Preventive Medicine

Leadership Roles

• 2025-present: Dean and Chief of Health Affairs, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University
• 2020-2024: Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
• 2016-2024: Professor and Chair, Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
• 2016-2024: Chief of Service, Emergency Department, University Hospital of Newark
• 2016-2024: Chief, Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
• 2011-2016: Professor and Vice Chair, Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine
• 2024-present: Board of Directors, Medical Toxicology Foundation
• 2024-2025: Board of Directors, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (Chair member)
• 2023-present: Board of Directors, ABEM Foundation
• 2019-2024: Board of Directors, Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine
  • 2023-2024: President
• 2013-2022: Board of Directors, American Board of Emergency Medicine
• 2017-2022: Board of Directors, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
• 2012-present: Editorial Board, Journal of Medical Toxicology
• 2006-present: Associate Editor, Annals of Emergency Medicine
• 2004-2010; Subboard in Medical Toxicology
  • 2008-2010: Chair
• 2002-2014: Board of Directors, American College of Medical Toxicology. 
  • 2010-2012: President

Professional Memberships

• Fellow, American College of Emergency Physicians
• Fellow, American College of Medical Toxicology
• Fellow, American Academy of Clinical Toxicology
• Distinguished Fellow, American Society of Addiction Medicine

Honors and Awards

• Outstanding Contribution in Research Award, American College of Emergency Physicians, 2023
• Matthew J. Ellenhorn Career Achievement Award, American College of Medical Toxicology, 2018
• Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Faculty Organization, Faculty of the Year, 2018
• Outstanding Service Award, American College of Medical Toxicology, 2015

Scholarly Activity

Selected Recent Publications

• Ramdin C., Chen E., Nelson L.S., Mazer-Amirshahi M. "Gabapentinoid prescribing patterns and predictors utilizing neural networks: An analysis across emergency departments Nationwide." American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2024; 85:59-64.
• Gettel C.J., Camargo C.A., Bennett, C.L., Courtney, D.M., Kaji, A.H., Fermann, G.J., Gallahue, F.E., Nelson, L.S., et al., "Estimating the size and scope of the academic emergency physician workforce." Academic Emergency Medicine. 2024; 31(8):732-738.
• Makutonin M., Ramdin C., Meltzer A., Mazer-Amirshahi M., Nelson L.S. "Concurrent Alcohol and Opioid Intoxication in Emergency Department Patients Leads to Greater Resource Utilization." Substance Use & Misuse. 2024 Jan;1-6.
• Perrone J., Haroz R., D'Orazio J., et al. "Managing Patients Exposed to Xylazine-Adulterated Opioids in Emergency, Hospital and Addiction Care Settings." Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2024;84(1):20-28.
• Mazer-Amirshahi M., Cole J.B., Stolbach A.I., Perrone J., Nelson L.S. "Ensuring the Efficacy and Safety of Approved Medications." Journal of Medical Toxicology. 2024;20(2):81-83.
• D'Orazio J., Nelson L.S., Perrone J., Wightman R., Haroz R. "Xylazine Adulteration of the Heroin-Fentanyl Drug Supply: A Narrative Review." Annals of Internal Medicine. 2023;176(10):1370-1376.
• Nelson L.S., Perrone J. "Challenges of Estimating the Value of Buprenorphine Injectables." JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(9):e2329677.
• Dart R.C., Mullins M.E., Matoushek T., Nelson L.S., Rumack B.H. "Management of Acetaminophen Poisoning in the US and Canada: A Consensus Statement." JAMA Network Open. 2023;8:e2327739.
• Stolbach, A.I., Dargan, P.I., Greller, H.A., Hamilton, R.J., Johnson-Arbor, K., Murray, B.P., Nelson, L.S., et al., "ACMT Position Statement: End the Use of the Term 'Excited Delirium'." Journal of Medical Toxicology. 2023;19(3):310-312.
• Yugar B., McManus K., Ramdin C., Nelson L.S., Parris M.A. "Systematic Review of Naloxone Dosing and Adverse Events in the Emergency Department." Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2023;65(3):188-198.

Books

• "Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11th Edition" by Nelson L.S., Howland M.A., Lewin N.A., Smith S.W., Goldfrank L.R., Hoffman R.S. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.
• "Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, 3rd Edition" by Nelson L.S., Balick M.J. Springer Nature/New York Botanical Garden Press; 2020.

Research Interests

• Health systems operations
• Medical toxicology
• Addiction medicine, including alcohol and opioid use disorders
• Health policy, particularly pharmaceuticals
• Healthcare quality improvement
• Medical education innovation