Kurt Kleinschmidt

Kurt C. Kleinschmidt, M.D., FACMT, FASAM is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. He previously served as Division Chief of Medical Toxicology (2004–2020) and Toxicology Fellowship Program Director (2004–2018). He is Medical Director of Parkland Health and Hospital System's Perinatal Intervention Program, focusing on optimizing care for pregnant women with substance use disorders. He led the Integrated Family Planning Opioid Program (2020–2024), funded by the Texas Department of Health Services, and currently works with CDC grants via Dallas County Health and Human Services. His expertise includes drugs of abuse, addiction/withdrawal management, and snake envenomations.

Education:

• MD: University of South Florida College of Medicine, 1986
• Emergency Medicine Residency: Madigan Army Medical Center, 1990
• Toxicology Fellowship: UT Southwestern Medical Center, 1999

Research Interests: Dr. Kleinschmidt focuses on medical toxicology, addiction medicine, and snake envenomations. His work includes clinical trials on antivenom efficacy, synthetic opioid toxicity, and improving maternal/fetal care in substance use disorders. He actively contributes to the ToxIC North American Snakebite Registry and analyzes epidemiological trends in poisoning-related mortality and substance exposure.

Grants & Leadership:

• CDC-funded programs addressing opioid use in maternal health
• Leadership roles in national toxicology registries and clinical fellowship programs
• Principal investigator for trials evaluating antivenom safety and efficacy

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with maternal-fetal medicine teams at Parkland Hospital and leads the Perinatal Intervention Program. Active in the Toxicology Fellowship Program and North American Snakebite Registry initiatives.