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Comments of State Attorney Steve Meadows on the December 29 meeting of
the Medical Examiners' Commission:
"While I am not surprised, I am very much disappointed that the Medical
Examiners’ Commission has chosen to completely ignore the local committee
and the opinions of the people who actually work with Dr. Siebert. It is
interesting that the Commission voted, and only after the vote, engaged in
discussion.
The Commission, by its action, has effectively ended the tenure of a
qualified and well-respected forensic pathologist and has left the people of
this Circuit without coverage by a medical examiner.
We have conducted a nationwide search, in the manner suggested by the
Medical Examiner’s Commission, and, at the end of the day, Dr. Siebert was
the only person willing to accept the position. The Commission now points to
the statute and suggests that I appoint someone to fill the position on an
interim basis. That suggestion is an example of the detachment of the
Medical Examiners’ Commission from the reality of the situation. Perhaps the
Commission believes that a qualified person will magically appear. I hope
that Commission chairman Dr. Nelson, Dr. Wolfe, and the medical members of
the commission will be willing to come to the 14th Circuit to help deal with
the situation they have created.
Dr. Siebert has indicated his intention to take a job in another state. Some
members of his staff have indicated a willingness to stay on. We have had
discussions with Bay County officials as to how to keep the office open. We
are contacting other pathologists to request assistance.
The Commission has put our communities in a tough spot. But, the people of
this circuit will rise to the occasion. Cooperation of law enforcement,
funeral homes, emergency medical personnel, and our citizens will enable us
to get through this transition." |