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Help on way for forensics staff It’s been pretty lonely in the Regional Forensic Center for Dr. Karen Chancellor over the past few months. The chief medical examiner for Shelby County has been the only full-time pathologist on duty in a city where high crime rates translate into numerous bodies requiring autopsies. “The office is extremely understaffed”, Chancellor told members of the County’s Commission’s hospitals and health committee on Wednesday. But Chancellor should be getting some help soon, in the form of two more pathologists and expanded support staff as part of a new management contract for the center. “Literally everything and anything she is going to need, we’re going to do for her,” said Dr. Bruce Levy, president and CEO of Nashville-based Forensic Medical, who is also the state medical examiner. Levy said the contract will provide administrative support, supplies and staffing, including filing vacant clerical and death investigator slots. The firm, which also provides medical examiner services to Davidson County, is in line to receive a one-year contract from Shelby County worth close to $2.5 million to run the office, up to $300,000 from the previous vendor. Approval by the commission is required and could come as soon as Monday. The center, which performed more than 600 autopsies last year, has been managed for decades by the University of Tennessee center for Health Sciences, but the University and the county came to a mutual decision to find a new vendor, officials said. The new contract is set to start with the beginning of the new fiscal year, July 1. Forensic Medical has been providing a pathologist to Shelby County;s forensic center on a part-time basis since April to assist Chancellor. She said a full-time pathologist on her staff resigned earlier this year. By comparison, Nashville’s forensic center is operating with 5 pathologists. Chancellor said one factor making it hard to attract and maintain staff is the out-dated building that houses the operation. “The facility is in very bad shape,” she said. The building is set to be replaced in the next few years, with help from the state. Gov. Phil Bredesen’s state budget approved last month included $5 million for a new regional forensics center. County officials are hoping to see $5 million more next year to complete the project. The center would be leased by the state to Shelby County for autopsy services for Shelby and surrounding counties. The current forensic center on Madison, built in the 1930’s, was originally a hospital and clinic, and renovated in the 1980’s to house the forensic center. Michael Erskine: 529-5857 |
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