Chief Medical Examiner

Overview

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office is one of the busiest medical examiner’s offices in the nation, processing over 3,000 cases and over 2,000 autopsies per year. In September 2022, Wayne State University (WSU) and Wayne County entered into an agreement to partner in the operation of the Wayne County Medical Examiner Office (MEO), with both entities having equal stake in the program.

Since this time, the MEO has deepened relationships with Wayne County health officials and posted improvements across a variety of operational metrics. This is an exciting time for a visionary leader to capitalize on the shared vision of the county, health system, and medical school to create a leading forensic center of excellence that leverages post-mortem data to enhance public health knowledge and improve health outcomes for residents of the Detroit metropolitan area.

As Chief Medical Examiner, you will be responsible for overseeing all clinical operations within the jurisdiction's Medical Examiner's Office. Your primary duty will be to lead and manage a team of forensic pathologists, technicians, and support staff in conducting thorough and accurate investigations into the cause and manner of death in cases falling under the office's jurisdiction. You will collaborate with law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure the proper administration of justice and adherence to regulatory standards.

The Chief Medical Examiner will collaborate directly with Naren Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of the Medical Examiner’s Office, WSU School of Medicine, and report to Rafic Beydoun, MD, Chair, Department of Pathology, WSU School of Medicine for academic, education, or research activities, as applicable.

The Chief Medical Examiner will have accountability and oversight of all the forensic pathologists in the Medical Examiner’s Office. Currently, the MEO has six forensic pathologists. Optimally staffed, the MEO will have 10 medical examiners including the Chief Medical Examiner.

Education/Training

• Medical degree (MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree).
• Board Certified in Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology.
• Licensed or eligible to practice medicine or osteopathy in the state of Michigan.
• Must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position.

Experience

• Several years of experience in forensic pathology and medicolegal death investigations, with progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a diverse team.
• Extensive experience working as a forensic pathologist is crucial.
• Familiarity with legal proceedings and experience providing expert testimony in court or legal settings.
• Experience in administrative tasks such as budgeting, resource allocation, policy development, and strategic planning is necessary for overseeing the operations of a Medical Examiner's Office.
• Experience collaborating with law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, public health officials, and other stakeholders involved in death investigations.
• A strong record of ethical practice, professionalism, and adherence to standards and regulations governing forensic pathology and medicolegal investigations.

Wayne Health, formerly the Wayne State University Physician Group, is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic group practice with over 400 dedicated physicians and advanced practice providers in 50 medical specialties offering a full spectrum of care, from birth to end-of-life, for individuals and families throughout southeastern Michigan. Wayne Health multi-specialty clinics are conveniently located in Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield and Troy, with single-specialty clinics in Livonia (Psychiatry), Monroe (Dermatology), and Taylor (Ophthalmology).

Wayne Health is a proud partner in Detroit’s resurgence with our corporate headquarters at 400 Mack Ave. in the heart of Midtown Detroit.

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