Medical Mysteries Extend Beyond the Hospital for ER Doc

Stacey Hail

After falling into a cadaver tank during her first year of medical school, Stacey Hail briefly reconsidered her career path.

But the medical student knew she was destined to remain on track. 

“My mom made it her life’s mission to have a daughter who would become a doctor,” said the associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

After her scientific acumen in high school earned her top honors at the International Science and Engineering Fair, Hail had many college options. 

Hail recounted driving with her mom to visit SMU, when they were met with a barrage of giant hailstones. Intent on touring the campus, the pair pressed on and, as they turned onto SMU Boulevard, the storm stopped. 

“A huge rainbow suddenly appeared overhead, and my decision was made,” she said.

After earning her medical degree from Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, Hail completed a residency in emergency medicine and a fellowship in medical toxicology.

In addition to seeing patients in the Parkland Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, Hail runs a forensic toxicology practice. 

As an expert witness, including for the Department of Justice in cases involving drug crimes, Hail delves into cause of death determinations, sudden death in custody, and the national opioid epidemic. 

The toxicology specialist has served as an expert witness in high-profile cases, including the trial of Brian Tribble, who was prosecuted for supplying the drugs that led to the overdose death of NBA draft star Len Bias, and the trial of Eric Kay, who was accused of supplying the drugs that resulted in the death of MLB player Tyler Skaggs. 

Hail testified that fentanyl caused Skaggs’ death, a key aspect for the prosecution since the autopsy had classified the death as accidental.

Hail described how her training as an ER physician prepared her for maintaining objectivity in high-pressure situations that require a level head, a skill she also applies to legal proceedings.

“I first must investigate and then look carefully at the totality of the picture,” she said. “As UT Southwestern faculty, part of my job is to teach; in the courtroom, it is also my job to educate the jury in often complex cases involving scientific information, just as I do in my rounds at the hospital.”

Hail has appeared in true-crime television programs such as Dateline and HLN’s Vengeance: Killer Coworkers. Hail said she is most mystified by those who have taken the Hippocratic Oath doing intentional harm to others. Hail appeared on an episode of the series Snapped, chronicling the ‘fatal attraction’ case of Ana Gonzalez-Angulo, an oncologist convicted of poisoning her colleague and lover, Dr. George Blumenschein.

Despite her packed schedule, Hail said she works to put family first and credits her husband Brian for being her greatest support system.

 “He’s been the man behind the woman,” she said. 

Hail said her most enjoyable moments take place with her family, especially when her three children, Alexander, Savannah, and Austin, fill their home with musical notes playing instruments. 

With two kids off at college, the busy professional said she’s soaking in the last couple years with her youngest, a junior at Highland Park High School.

Hail recently accompanied her singer/song-writer daughter to the set of her music video shoot in Los Angeles. 

“Nothing makes me happier than my role as momager,” she chuckled.