Ast/Asc/Full Professor Health Program Fixed Term

Summary

The Chief and Deputy Chief Medical Examiners/Forensic Pathologists will lead the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine's expanding forensic pathology program, overseeing medicolegal death investigation services for Kent and Ottawa Counties, and providing consultative autopsy expertise for other Michigan jurisdictions. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan—one of the Midwest’s most vibrant and livable cities—this is an opportunity to shape a modern, accredited medical examiner system within a Big Ten, AAU-member university known for innovation, integrity, and public service.

About the Role

As Chief, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring NAME accreditation standards are upheld, providing leadership in forensic pathology operations, policy development, and quality assurance. The Chief must be a pathologist certified in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology (or international equivalent), licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in Michigan, and have a minimum of two years of forensic pathology experience beyond fellowship training.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
• Provide leadership in forensic pathology operations, policy development, and quality assurance.
• Lead a team currently staffed at 2.5 FTEs, fostering a collegial, academically integrated environment that supports both public service and education.
• Perform forensic autopsies, medicolegal death investigations, and related professional services as required under Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL 52.201 et seq).
• Contribute to hospital-based pathology, including hospital autopsies, and support the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows.
• Interact extensively with county health departments, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, the legal community, and other external partners.
• Serve as expert witnesses in court proceedings, participate in hospital trauma conferences, and deliver didactic teaching.
• Build and oversee a new, collaborative forensic pathology program at MSU, develop a forensic pathology fellowship, and contribute to statewide and international forensic education through MSU’s Global Health Institute.
• Engage in scholarly activity, including research, publications, and presentations that advance public health and forensic science.

Requirements

• Doctorate - Forensic Pathology.
• Board Certification or eligibility in Forensic Pathology.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure to practice medicine in the State of Michigan.
• Eligible for appointment as Medical Examiner or Deputy Medical Examiner under MCL 52.201.
• Minimum of two years of experience required for NAME Compliance with Accreditation.

Qualifications

• Subspecialty training in Cardiovascular Pathology preferred; all others strongly encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated record of teaching and mentoring in medical education.
• Experience in scholarly activity, including research or publication.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with external partners such as law enforcement, legal professionals, and public health officials.

Skills

• Leadership in forensic pathology operations.
• Quality assurance and compliance with accreditation standards.
• Collaboration with external partners.
• Public health and forensic science research and publications.
• Teaching and mentoring in medical education.

Benefits

Physically intensive job, lifting decedents from cart to table, assisted by others. Moving decedents on carts- pushing/pulling. Exposure to human blood, serum, tissue and other body fluids and materials. TB risk or work within 3 feet of human patients. Wearing a respirator.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A