Florida Atlantic University was founded in 1961, in Boca Raton on an 850-acre site located near the Atlantic Ocean. The campus is conveniently located halfway between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale and offers a broad range of academic programs, activities, and services.

The Boca Raton campus provides an exciting and supportive learning environment for students. The Student Union hosts student activities and meetings. In addition, its 2,500-seat Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium enables students to enjoy performances ranging from rock bands to the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. The campus supports two cafeterias and has an attractive array of accommodations for its residential students. The Boca Raton campus is also home to FAU's Division I Intercollegiate Athletics program and facilities. Its recreation complex includes an aquatic center, gymnasium, tennis courts, wellness center, track, and a variety of fields for club and intramural sports competition.

The five-story S.E. Wimberly Library houses a large collection of monographs, serials, and other academic resources. Computer labs, study lounges, a media center, and tutoring services also provide valuable academic support for students. The Boca Raton campus hosts art exhibits, theatre productions, and concerts in its two galleries and theatre. Visiting performers and speakers add to the artistic and intellectual vibrancy of the campus.

Florida Atlantic University

New Row

Contact expert @[Full Name](fullname), @[Job Title](job_title) at @[Organization](organization) for media, speaking, professional opportunities and more.

@[Full Name](fullname) at @[Organization](organization) | Contact Form

Expert Inquiry

Open Sans

Outstanding Contribution in Research Award, American College of Emergency Physicians

Matthew J. Ellenhorn Career Achievement Award, American College of Medical Toxicology

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Faculty Organization, Faculty of the Year

Outstanding Service Award, American College of Medical Toxicology

American College of Emergency Physicians

American College of Medical Toxicology

American Academy of Clinical Toxicology

American Society of Addiction Medicine

ACMT and AACT Position Statement: Preventing Occupational Opioid Exposure to Emergency Responders

Factors associated with corrective actions, remediation, and employment termination of emergency physicians

Opioid utilization patterns and predictors for emergency department visits related to ankle sprains between 2016 and 2021: A National Analysis Utilizing Neural Networks

Rapid Transition From a Continuous Naloxone Infusion to Sublingual Buprenorphine After an Opioid Overdose: A Case Series

Factors Associated with Benzodiazepine Misuse Among Those Who Misused Opioids Within the Past Year: A US National Analysis

Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants

Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, Eleventh Edition

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.

Emergency Medicine

Medical Toxicology

Addiction Medicine

Medical Education Innovation

Healthcare Quality Improvement

Pharmaceuticals

Health Policy

Opioid Use Disorders

Alcohol Use Disorders

Health Systems Operations

Faculty Page

Google Scholar

Kambo: The ‘Wellness’ Trend That Makes You Vomit

South Florida childhood vaccination rates plunge. Who is vulnerable, and why?

Plasticizer Spread Rapidly Through Illicit Drug Supply

Florida doctor charged after allegedly stealing fentanyl from ICU patient

Brad Pitt’s candid discussion of his sobriety journey and involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous

Dean and Chief of Health Affairs | Professor of Emergency Medicine / Medical Toxicology

00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Lewis Nelson and the Department of Emergency Medicine
00:02:28 - Involvement with the Center of Excellence CARE Center
00:03:34 - Training in Addiction Medicine
00:07:46 - Patient Populations at University Hospital in Newark
00:10:08 - Challenges in Treating Substance Use Disorders
00:15:25 - Collaboration Opportunities in Patient Care Improvement & Research Growth
00:20:53 - Recruitment for Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Emergency Medicine and Addiction

Dr. Nelson is Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Division of Medical Toxicology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. He was a member of the Core Expert Group for the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines and Chair of the FDA Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee. He has participated in the development of several opioid stewardship programs at his institutions and others. Dr. Nelson is a Director of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and on the Executive Committee of Association of Academic Chairs in Emergency Medicine.

Interview with Lewis Nelson

Media Inquiry