Dr. Scott Phillips is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Washington Poison Center. He is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Toxicology. In addition to his leadership role, he maintains an active medical practice in the state of Washington, where he was born and raised.

Professional Experience and Affiliations

Dr. Phillips has been with the Washington Poison Center since 2014, where he began as a consulting medical toxicologist. He was appointed Associate Medical Director in 2017, then Interim Medical Director and Medical Director in 2021 before being named Executive Director/Medical Director in 2022. He took the role as Chief Executive Officer in 2025. He provides administrative and medical direction, leading the organization in strategic planning and operational planning. The Washington Poison Center, a non-profit organization, provides 24/7 emergency treatment advice for poisonings to the public and healthcare professionals in Washington state.

Beyond his work at the Washington Poison Center, Dr. Phillips is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, and the American College of Medical Toxicology. He also serves as a clinical faculty member at Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety and is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  Dr. Phillips is a clinical instructor in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Washington.

Academics

Dr. Phillips is dedicated to ongoing education and teaching. He has authored over 200 articles, chapters, and abstracts, as well as several textbooks on medical toxicology, with a focus on environmental toxicology and health risk assessment. He regularly lectures on topics in medical toxicology, emergency medicine, and the importance of poison control centers both in Washington and internationally.  Dr. Phillips has worked to advance medical toxicology in Vietnam, and other developing countries for over 20 years.