WMed Office of the Medical Examiner, 300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI (2026)

02/14/2026

🌟Days like today are the best!🌟

Please join us in welcoming our 11 newest Medical Examiner Investigators (MEIs) who successfully completed their classroom training today! 🥳

This is a profession that isn’t widely known and certainly isn’t for everyone, but it is incredibly important. Our MEIs step into some of the most difficult moments a family can face, serving our community with professionalism, compassion, and integrity.

We are proud of the dedication these 11 individuals have already shown and are excited to have them join our team in this meaningful work. Welcome to the team! 👏

02/04/2026

🔍 Department Highlight: Forensic Anthropology 🔍☠️

Did you know our office has its own Forensic Anthropology Department? Not only that, we are the only Medical Examiner’s Office in Michigan that staffs a Forensic Anthropology Fellowship. Pretty incredible, right?

Our Anthropology team plays a critical role in death investigations, especially in cases where answers aren’t straightforward. They lead scientific identifications using DNA, radiology, and fingerprints. Fun fact: In Michigan, when more than one person is involved in the same incident, the law requires scientific identification for each individual.

They also conduct skeletal analyses to assess trauma or help determine cause of death when an autopsy isn’t possible due to the condition of the remains. Beyond that, this team supports search and recovery operations, assists with unidentified persons cases, contributes to research and policy development, teaches human anatomy, and trains the next generation of forensic anthropologists.

👋 Meet Our Anthropology Team:

🦴 Dr. Jered Cornelison, PhD, D-ABFA
Dr. Cornelison earned his degrees from Idaho State University and Michigan State University, where he completed his doctorate in anthropology. In addition to serving as a forensic anthropologist, he is also WMed’s Research Integrity Officer. His research spans forensic and physical anthropology, skeletal trauma and biology, human identification, bone regeneration, anatomy, and research ethics.

🦴 Dr. Christine Pink, PhD, D-ABFA
Dr. Pink earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and her PhD from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Before joining WMed, she worked as a forensic anthropologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and later taught biological anthropology in Denver. Her research interests include cranial traits and bone biogeochemistry.

🦴 Our Anthropology Fellow – Dr. B. Charles, PhD, RPA
Dr. Charles earned a Master of Science in Forensic Anthropology from Boston University and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After years of teaching and working in archaeology and cultural resource management, they returned to academia for postdoctoral work and began their forensic anthropology fellowship with us in 2024. Fun fact: they’re an avid runner currently training for their first 50-mile trail race!

This team brings science, dedication, and compassion together every day, and we’re proud to have them helping us serve our communities with excellence.

🦴💙

01/30/2026

📊 By the Numbers: A Look at WMed in 2025 👀

Ever wonder what a year looks like inside our Medical Examiner’s Office? Let’s break it down 👇

🔍 5,063 death investigations were handled in 2025: and our incredible MEIs responded to 4,845 of those calls across our communities.

⚖️ Of those cases:
• 723 were reviewed and declined jurisdiction
• 2,387 were released to funeral homes
• 1,735 decedents were brought in for postmortem examinations

🕊️ Our Deputy Chief Investigators completed 237 unclaimed investigations, ensuring dignity and care for every individual.

📝 Behind the scenes, our In-House Investigators conducted 505 death certificate investigations, providing an essential second set of eyes to ensure accuracy before final certification.

🔬 Meanwhile, our autopsy staff performed 1,756 postmortem exams, including 1,044 full autopsies, a testament to their skill, precision, and dedication.

🌎 Cases by County (just a snapshot of our reach):
• Kalamazoo – 1,162
• Berrien – 667
• Calhoun – 540
• Grand Traverse – 496
• Allegan – 243
• Van Buren – 221
• St. Joseph (MI) – 210
• Barry – 134
• Mason – 120
Muskegon- 745
• Cass – 143
• Osceola – 77
• Leelanau – 49
• Branch – 40
• Consults For Other Offices- 226

📅 And remember, this work happens 24/7/365

These numbers represent real people, real families, and a team that shows up every day with professionalism, compassion, and commitment. We’re incredibly proud of our staff and the work they do serving our communities. 💙

01/22/2026

👀 Department Spotlight: In-House Investigations❗️

Our office is supported by three incredible In-House Investigators, and their work is truly essential to everything we do behind the scenes.🙌

Did you know that before a cremation can take place, every cremation request and death certificate must be carefully reviewed? Our In-House Investigators ensure all documentation is completed correctly and that the cause and manner of death do not require further follow-up. When questions arise (and they often do) this team steps in to conduct a full investigation to determine the true manner of death before cremation occurs.

This extra review is a critical safety measure. A second set of eyes can make all the difference, and more often than not, it does.

Our In-House Investigators also:
• Pick up the ball when field investigators clock out
• Follow up with primary care providers
• Request and review law enforcement and EMS reports
• Assist families who call the office with questions or concerns

Quietly, thoroughly, and tirelessly, this team works every day to ensure accuracy, accountability, and compassion in every case.💜

Stay tuned as we continue introducing the many departments that keep our office running 24/7/365.

01/14/2026

🤔 Did You Know?

Our office is made up of over 100 employees across many different departments, all working together 24/7/365 to serve our communities.

Over the next several posts, we’ll be introducing you to each department and explaining what they do, starting with the one most people think of first:

🔬 AUTOPSY SERVICES 🔬

Our Autopsy Department includes 5 Forensic Pathologists, 1 Forensic Physician Assistant, and 7 Autopsy Technicians. This is often what people picture when they think of the Medical Examiner’s Office, but there’s much more to it than you might expect.

Every decedent who comes into our care receives one of three types of examinations, depending on the circumstances:

Type 1: Full Autopsy
This is the traditional autopsy many are familiar with, including a Y-incision and a complete internal examination.

Type 2: Partial Autopsy
In these cases, only a specific organ or area needs to be examined to answer the medical or investigative questions.

Type 3: External Examination
These examinations include advanced imaging such as a CT scan and full-body X-rays. When the cause of death can be determined through imaging and external findings, we carefully document all visible injuries without internal examination.

Each exam type is chosen thoughtfully to ensure accuracy, dignity, and respect for every individual in our care.

Stay tuned as we continue to introduce you to the departments and people who make our office run every day and night. 🖤

01/09/2026

🤔 Did You Know?

Our office holds quarterly trainings to ensure our Medicolegal Death Investigators (MEIs) stay informed, skilled, and continually evolving in the field.

Last night’s training held in Muskegon, brought together this fantastic group, that includes many of our most experienced and senior investigators. These sessions cover new and updated policies, along with important refreshers to keep our investigations consistent, current, and thorough.

And of course, we make sure to keep our investigators well fed (Thank you Brad!), because learning goes better when there’s pizza involved, and no one does their best work while hangry. 🍕😄

Our office simply would not function without these dedicated professionals responding to calls and serving their communities 24/7/365. Our MEIs truly are the heart of our operation.

Here’s to kicking off our first training of 2026! 👏🖤

12/29/2025

🔬 Meet Our Medical Examiner Dr. Patrick Hansma! 🔬

Continuing our Meet Our Pathologists series, we’re proud to introduce Dr. Patrick Hansma, DO, our Medical Examiner here at the WMed Office of the Medical Examiner.

Dr. Hansma is a board-certified forensic pathologist with the Department of Pathology at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. A Michigan native, he earned his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University and his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his anatomic and clinical pathology residency at William Beaumont Hospital and his forensic pathology fellowship at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio.

Before joining WMed, Dr. Hansma served as Deputy Medical Examiner for Genesee County, and later for Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, and Shiawassee Counties, bringing a wealth of experience to our office.

Dr. Hansma has been a pathologist for 9 years, joined WMed 3 years ago, and stepped into the role of Medical Examiner in 2024. His leadership, expertise, and steady presence play a vital role in guiding our office and supporting our investigative team every day.

And a fun fact to round things out: Dr. Hansma believes country and rap music are phases people are meant to grow out of - we’ll let the comment section decide on that one. 😉

We’re grateful for his dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving our communities.

12/24/2025

On this Christmas Eve, we had the privilege to observe the rendering of final honors for two unclaimed Vietnam veterans, one Air Force and one Navy. The Office of the Medical Examiner has a mandate to care for and ensure dignified final arrangements for unclaimed individuals. Unclaimed is not a stigma, it does not equate to unwanted or unloved-it simply means there is no one able to make final arrangements. It is an absolute honor to be able to participate in this process and I hold this responsibility sacred. It is both humbling and inspiring to see this ceremony and we are deeply appreciative of the community support. Veterans are a protective bunch and to see the number of strangers who showed up was heartwarming! I would like to personally thank everyone involved-from the funeral home, to the military honor guard, the patriot honor guard, the bagpiper, and all the community members that showed up to pay their respects! As always, Fort Custer National Cemetery did a highly professional job with this ceremony. -john

12/23/2025

🎄✨ Happy Holiday Season from all of us at the Office of the Medical Examiner! ✨🎄

As the holidays roll around, we want to take a moment to wish our communities, partners, and colleagues a season filled with warmth, laughter, and safe celebrations. We’re grateful for each and every one of you and honored to serve our communities 365 days a year.

As a friendly holiday reminder from folks who see a lot:
• 🍽️Forks are for eating- not outlets, eyes, or horseplay
•📲 Please don’t drink and drive- call a ride, we promise it’s worth it
• 🚫When your well-meaning (but questionable) uncle suggests frying the turkey after a few drinks… the answer is no
•🧨 Fireworks, deep fryers, and “this will be fine” moments are best avoided
• And remember: family board games should not require an investigation 😄

Stay safe, take care of one another, and enjoy the moments that matter most.

🎁 From our team to yours Happy Holidays and a safe, healthy New Year! 🖤✨

12/18/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Unclaimed Veterans 🇺🇸

Did you know the Medical Examiner’s Office has both the privilege and responsibility of caring for individuals who pass away without someone to make final arrangements for them? Being unclaimed does not mean unwanted, it simply means that, for various reasons, family members were unable to make arrangements or no family could be located.

Among those entrusted to our care are veterans who served our country with honor. We are deeply grateful for our partnership with Christianson’s Funeral Home, who ensures that unclaimed veterans receive a full military burial, open to the public.

It is our honor and privilege to lay to rest two unclaimed veterans who faithfully served our nation:

• SSGT / E-5 Michael James Peters
U.S. Air Force — Vietnam War Veteran

• AR / E-1 Larry Allen Fancher
U.S. Navy — Vietnam Era Veteran

📅 Wednesday, December 24, 2025
🕙 Committal Services at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
📍 Fort Custer National Cemetery
15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012

We invite the community to join us in paying their respects and ensuring these veterans are remembered and honored for their service.

Arrival Instructions:
Please arrive at Fort Custer National Cemetery 10 minutes prior to the scheduled committal service time. Upon arrival, turn right at the “Y” and park in one of the two lanes in the Funeral Assembly Area. Please do not go directly to the Committal Shelter.

Let us come together to honor their service and ensure they are never forgotten.

12/15/2025

🧠 Meet Your Forensic Pathologists 🧠

Continuing our introductions, we’re excited to spotlight Dr. Amanda Fisher-Hubbard, one of the incredible forensic pathologists serving our community.

Dr. Fisher-Hubbard is a board-certified forensic pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo before completing medical school at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She went on to complete her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology, as well as fellowships in both forensic pathology and neuropathology, at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Dr. Fisher-Hubbard is one of only approximately 40 forensic neuropathologists in the entire United States, and we’re proud to say our office is fortunate enough to have two. Her expertise is truly rare and invaluable to the work we do every day!

Outside of the office, Dr. Fisher-Hubbard somehow finds time to do it all. She enjoys crocheting, loves ice hockey🏒 (and even played on a team during residency!), has a passion for musical theater🎼, and is the proud mom of two wonderful children.

Superwoman if you ask us, accomplished, dedicated, and truly inspiring in every role she takes on. Scientist, leader, teammate, and mom, we’re incredibly lucky to have her on our team. 💙

12/11/2025

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨
Are you looking for meaningful, flexible work serving your community? WMed Office of The Medical Examiner is seeking on-call Medicolegal Death Investigators in the following Michigan counties:
📍 Allegan • Barry • Berrien • Branch • Calhoun • Cass • Grand Traverse • Mason • Osceola • St. Joseph • Van Buren
✨ Why Join Us?
✔ YOU choose your shifts! Flexible scheduling to fit your life
✔ 8–10 shifts per month (on-call)
✔ Make a real difference in critical moments for families and communities
✔ Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire, Nursing, or Healthcare experience preferred, but we will train the right candidate!!
If you’re ready to step into an impactful role and join a supportive, professional team, apply today! 🖤

If you recently applied and have not heard from us, please use this link to apply again as we have recently changed our links!

https://secure6.entertimeonline.com/ta/6096349.careers?ShowJob=671510403&fbclid=IwdGRjcAO3tnVjbGNrA7e2Y2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHphMmLonEcfXyCGF-RH5Ey3V6Cx6UdN9eoVengIUMdhkSGSFqYHdvo8sZ32J_aem_eQwE3fvx5-B02Bzxvph2SA

WMed Office of the Medical Examiner

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