WMed Office of the Medical Examiner, 300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI (2025)

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 posting!

https://secure6.entertimeonline.com/ta/6096349.careers?CareersSearch&lang=en-US&fbclid=IwY2xjawOoDOZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFTSWh4cnZFMnRucUNTWGJKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgdZV8MX9IAyOwIKncGk4DH1JHCwriF8u8pV2MpFmfXgdRdwiQrXkAz7ujKP_aem_fmnMBBZctS-akkj7OqhzfQ

12/09/2025

♦TIME TO MEET YOUR FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS!♦
Did you know our office is home to five incredible forensic pathologists?

Today, we’re excited to introduce Nicolas Kostelecky, MD!

Dr. Kostelecky joins us after completing his Forensic Pathology Fellowship right here at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, completed his Anatomic Pathology residency at Washington University in St. Louis, and went on to train in Neuropathology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

His clinical passions include studying the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury and improving equitable access to Medical Examiner services. And here’s an incredible fact: there are less than 40 practicing forensic neuropathologists in the entire United States, and our office has TWO of them! Dr. Kostelecky is one of these uniquely specialized experts, and we’re incredibly proud to have that level of knowledge on our team.

He officially started with WMED in July 2025 after finishing his fellowship with us, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him aboard. Fun fact: this Michigan winter is the first time he’s gone sledding since childhood… so wish him luck out there! ❄️🛷

12/03/2025

📣 MEET OUR PATHOLOGY CHAIR!📣
We’re proud to introduce someone who brings both remarkable expertise and a genuine love for Michigan back to our community: Richard Vander Heide, MD, PhD, MBA, Chair of Pathology here at WMED.

Dr. Vander Heide’s path in medicine has taken him across the country and through some of the most respected institutions in the field.
After earning his undergraduate degree at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, he went on to Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and Duke University.

From there, he launched a career defined by service, teaching, and leadership. At Wayne State University, he directed the Autopsy Service, led the ACGME-approved Pathology residency program, and was recognized repeatedly for his teaching. He later became the head of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, and in 2009 was awarded the prestigious Jack P. Strong Endowed Chair of Pathology at LSU in New Orleans👏.

His path eventually led to Wisconsin, where he served as the Service Line Medical Director/Chair of Pathology at the Marshfield Clinic, overseeing a large rural laboratory system.

After all of that, Michigan called him home. In 2025, Dr. Vander Heide returned to WMED and to the state where his story began. He continues to pour his energy into medical education, cardiovascular pathology, and the work that strengthens our field every day. When he’s not leading pathology, teaching, or advancing research, he’s also a licensed HAM radio operator!

We’re grateful to have him guiding our department and excited for everyone to get to know the person behind the credentials. 📡✨

11/26/2025

🧡 As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take a moment to say thank you. 🧡

To our pathologists, autopsy staff, MEIs, administrative team, transport staff, and everyone in between, thank you for keeping this office moving, 365 days a year, no matter what. Your dedication to our counties and communities does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for each of you.

We’re also thankful for the communities we serve and the trust placed in our office every day.

As the holiday arrives, we hope everyone enjoys time with loved ones, and a few gentle reminders:
🦃 Leave the wishbone on the plate, not in the ER.
🚗 If you’re celebrating, please don’t drink and drive.
🫶 And during family debates… keep your hands to yourselves.

From all of us at WMed, we wish you a safe, warm, and healthy Thanksgiving.

11/20/2025

🧵 Introducing: Undead Threads * Created by Our Very Own Autopsy Tech, Ashley! 🧵

Did you know that one of our incredible Autopsy Technicians, Ashley Owens, launched a community-focused clothing donation initiative right here in our office? Undead Threads was created with one simple mission: to get warm, clean, essential items directly into the hands of community members who need them most.

From infants to adults, our Autopsy Team collects, sorts, and redistributes donated items through local outreach partners and boots-on-the-ground efforts, and this month, the impact has been HUGE.

✨ We officially surpassed 1,000 donations in November alone! ✨
We could not be more proud of the generosity shown by our coworkers and community.

This month, Undead Threads donations were distributed to:
• The Gospel Mission
• Communities in Schools
• Kzoo Street Med
• Foster Care Systems of West MI
• Plus several direct, boots-on-the-ground distributions

Every single item donated goes right back into our community. And we’d love to invite YOU to be part of this growing initiative. 🖤

What We’re Collecting:

🧣 Winter necessities: coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, thermal layers, blankets, hand warmers
👚 Year-round clothing & shoes: all ages/sizes, clean and gently used
🏠 Household essentials: towels, linens, kitchen basics, paper goods, working small appliances, new/unopened toiletries, baby gear, gently loved toys
🥫 Dry goods & pantry staples: canned foods, pasta, rice, beans, cereal, non-perishables

Please ensure donated items are clean, laundered, and free of odors or excessive pet hair.

Additionally, Undead Threads is in need of hangers to keep donations organized. If you’re able to contribute hangers or other items, please contact Ashley Cross directly via message.

We’re just getting started—and we’re grateful to have such a compassionate, giving community walking alongside us. 🖤

If you would like to donate please contact Ashley Cross directly via Facebook Message. Please do not message this page. SHE IS THE FIRST COMMENTER ON THIS POST

11/20/2025

A Big Weekend for Our Office! 🚨

We’ve had an incredibly busy and exciting weekend here at the WMed Office of the Medical Examiner. Please join us in welcoming 10 brand new investigators to our team!

They completed their classroom training over the weekend and are now gearing up to hit the field for the next phase of their onboarding. Even though things were moving fast (too fast to get many photos!), we couldn’t be more proud of the hard work and enthusiasm this group brought to training.

🌟 Welcome to the team, we’re excited to see the impact you’ll make!

11/14/2025

🚩Meet Your Deputy Chief Investigators! 👥

We are proud to introduce the three leaders who help guide our investigative team with experience, dedication, and heart. Each brings a unique background to the role, and together, they form a strong and balanced leadership team.

✨ Deputy Chief Investigator Jill Jelenek
With 11 years as a probation officer in Wyoming, Jill returned home to Michigan ready to make an impact and she did exactly that. Joining our team in 2018, she became our very first Deputy Chief Investigator in 2021 and helped shape the role from the ground up. Jill sets the bar high, leads with quiet strength, and keeps our operations running with exceptional consistency. When she’s not leading the team, you’ll likely find her out running, because Jill never slows down.

✨ Deputy Chief Investigator Ashleigh Butler
Ashleigh brings energy, heart, and an undeniable passion for service. With 9 years of ER experience as an EMT and years of firefighting under her belt, she stepped into the investigator role in 2019 and quickly rose to Deputy Chief in 2022. Ashleigh thrives in the community, and SUIDI education is her passion. Her leadership is bold, engaging, and deeply people-focused.

✨ Deputy Chief Investigator David Kreutz
David’s path is one-of-a-kind: 30+ years as a professional photographer, autopsy photography in Cook County, and now one of the cornerstones of our investigative leadership. Joining our office in 2020 and becoming Deputy Chief in 2023, David brings a unique eye for detail and unmatched investigative precision. Outside the office, he runs Chubby Goat Acres, a nonprofit animal sanctuary, proving his compassion extends far beyond the job.

Together, Jill, Ashleigh, and David truly love what they do and take great pride in serving our communities every day. They’re proof that different strengths and backgrounds can come together to create exceptional leadership, each contributing their own style while working seamlessly as a team.

💙 We are grateful for everything they do.

10/30/2025

🌟 Meet Our Chief Investigator — John Storer, MSIR, MASS, D-ABMDI 🌟

John is an incredible leader, mentor, and role model, but his story goes far beyond that!

Before joining the WMed Office of the Medical Examiner, John dedicated nearly 21 years to serving our country in the U.S. Army in both conventional and special operations, where he led with pride and integrity. Following his military career, he spent several years in humanitarian demining, working overseas to support efforts that detect and clear land mines.

When he returned home, John continued his commitment to service through contract security, working both internationally and domestically for eight years. After briefly exploring retirement, he realized his passion for helping others hadn’t faded. He returned to school at KVCC and obtained his EMT-B and EMT-P so he could continue to serve.

That experience led him to the world of medicolegal death investigation, where he quickly found his calling. After five years as a Medical Examiner Investigator, John became our Chief Investigator in 2023, a role that truly fits his leadership and dedication.

John’s leadership sets the standard. His compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment push our entire team to be better every single day. His impact is felt not only in the office, but across every community we serve. As he always says with pride, “I am right where I want to be.”

We couldn’t agree more. 👏

10/20/2025

This weekend, WMed Office of the Medical Examiner and St Martin of Tours partnered with community stakeholders to conduct a semi-annual event “Claiming the Unclaimed”. This event is an opportunity to give witness to decedent’s who come into the care of the Medical Examiner’s Office but have no family member or relative to make final arrangements for a decedent. It is important to understand that unclaimed does not mean unwanted. This service gives dignity and a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. We are appreciative of the commitment and efforts of WMed staff, the St Martins congregation and the community at large. —john

10/17/2025

❗️Claiming the Unclaimed ceremony reminder:❗️
Our ceremony will be held this Saturday, 1:00pm, for all who wish to attend.
Services will be held indoors if weather dictates.
Hope to see you there!

📅 Date: Saturday, October 18th
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 2010 Nichols Rd, Kalamazoo

WMed Office of the Medical Examiner

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