Letter from medical examiner warns autopsy services will stop for some Mid-South counties, UTHSC responds

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Managers of the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office have addressed a letter that was recently sent to nearby counties warning them that a staff shortage and large caseload may mean autopsies will be delayed for them.

The Action News 5 Investigators were sent the letter, which was received by at least 11 of the 13 counties outside of Shelby that are serviced by the West Tennessee Forensic Center.

“I would just tell you the team would endeavor to work as hard as they can and continue to put in the hours and time needed to meet the appropriate response depending on the situation,” said Paul Wesolowski, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships for UTHSC.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) manages the West Tennessee Forensic Center for the Shelby County government.

But the letter also reads that the Shelby County medical examiner has “considered discontinuing our services for outside counties” altogether.

“I’m not sure of the exact intent on why it was phrased that way but the intent is really to be more of a smoothing,” said Wesolowski. “That if the availability to send cases to other forensic centers that have capacity then that would be a preferred option.”

The closest forensic center to Memphis is three hours away in Nashville, which said it will take any cases and perform autopsies that Shelby County cannot.

“We are proud of what we do and we want to help out our colleagues in West Tennessee,” said Dr. Feng Li, Nashville’s Chief Medical Examine. He and his staff have helped the medical examiner’s office in Memphis before, and they’ll do it again now.

He also doesn’t anticipate any delays on his end.

“We will try to accommodate their need and we will continue to provide the best service to the counties, and most of the counties we are very familiar with,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wesolowski said his staff is trying to fill two vacancies at the forensic center as quickly as possible so autopsies can continue for all Mid-South families, not just Shelby County’s.

However, a nationwide shortage of physicians in general, and forensic pathologists specifically, has made the process of recruitment slower than they would like.

“I know the intent is not to say we’re not going to service you or you’re going to have to go somewhere else,” said Wesolowski. “It’s really like, ‘hey we’re a little busy and we’re short if there’s an alternative option we’d appreciate it if you’d consider that option.’”

The Tennessee Department of Health oversees medical examiners and said it is aware of the staff shortage at the West Tennessee Forensic Center and has offered administrative help, but Wesolowski says they just need more workers.

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