FY 21 Strengthening the Medical Examiner-Coroner System Program

Increase in Forensic Pathology Fellowships at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner

In response to the national shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists to meet current medicolegal needs, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (NYC OCME) seeks funding to expand its current fellowship training program by adding two forensic pathology fellowship training positions to its 2022-2023 training class.  The NYC OCME is a well-established forensic training institution with a stable record of successfully recruiting, training, and graduating competent, board-certified forensic pathologists who go on to pass the forensic pathology board examination and practice full-time in the field at a rate higher than the national average of all forensic pathology training programs combined.  It has an optimal volume and variety of forensic autopsy cases, adequate supervision, and a broad range of multidisciplinary adjunct training opportunities that yield well-rounded, experienced graduates.  Many of these forensic fellow graduates also go on to become high-level administrators and teachers in the field.  The program meets or exceeds ACGME requirements for forensic pathology training and is an optimal institution in which to invest grant funds to achieve the best probable outcome of increasing full-time practicing forensic pathologists in the United States.  The NYC OCME’s cost of adding the two fellow positions (including total salaries and fringe benefits) is $459,298, of which $300,000 would be covered by the award.