It is with profound sadness here at Journal of Medical Toxicology (JMT) that we report the passing of our esteemed colleague and editorial board member Dr. Kristin Engebretsen. Our primary obligation to readers is to evaluate and disseminate important scientific advancements in medical toxicology as objectively and as quickly as possible. However, right now we feel the need to pause and reflect, because a dynamo who stirred the world of medical toxicology on many levels as an author, reviewer, and most recently, as a decision editor for JMT is no longer here.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 1996 and completing her toxicology residency at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, Kristin spent the next two decades involving herself in every possible way to advance this specialty and add new knowledge to benefit patients. To call her an academic “triple threat” does not do justice to the legacy she leaves behind, because she was much more than a celebrated educator, dedicated clinician, and innovative researcher. Kristin was passionate about medical toxicology and made it her priority to be involved and engaged in many different specialty societies as an active and vocal member and leader. Her presence at American Board of Applied Toxicology (ABAT) meetings, the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT), and the American College of Medical Toxicology’s (ACMT) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was palpable and heard. Not only was Kristin one of the first non-physician members of ACMT, she was invited to be the first non-physician decision editor for JMT because of her experience as a published author and her awe-inspiring expertise in the lab developing new ways of understanding and applying antidotes to the bedside of critically ill poisoned patients. We are no longer afraid of high-dose insulin therapy because of Kristin’s confident insights.

Kristin also recognized the importance of using her talent to help advance the work of others: collaboration made natural sense to her. It is not surprising Kristin’s passion to teach and mentor has been celebrated by trainees and colleagues of all levels in so many tributes and reflections on social media and online. Here in these pages of JMT, we also need to celebrate the important work done by Kristin as a sharp and talented editor, because the work of a decision editor is mostly done behind the scenes and too often unrecognized. Kristin helped us shape policy during meetings, assisted in our continuing education renewal with the CDC, and championed submissions that might have gotten less attentive care elsewhere. Kristin was instrumental in helping dozens of authors navigate their submitted manuscripts through our tough review and revision process to successful publication. Even when quietly battling an illness with courage and optimism for some time, Kristin insisted on keeping busy with manuscript assignments at JMT because it gave her another valuable way to help others contribute to the evolving body of medical toxicology literature.

Kristin set a high bar for us, and she led by example. As an author, reviewer, and editor, Kristin made our journal better. Her energy will be missed, but her example will continue to inspire us.

Kristin Engebretsen, PharmD, DABAT, FAACT (June 19, 1970–April 6, 2018).