A northern Kentucky medical examiner is moving to Madisonville to fill a similar position in Western Kentucky. The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet announced Dr. Greg Wanger accepted the position this week. The office has been vacant for over a year. Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown says the move is good news for the region.
“The cases in western Kentucky will not have to be transported to the Louisville office for autopsy. That should obviously expedite the actual autopsies themselves and in certain situations expedite some of the toxicology reports," he said.
Brown added the transition process for Wanger will be easier than for an out of state candidate.
“One of the great advantages we have with Dr. Wanger being available to be moved to western Kentucky is that we won’t have to wait any period of time to become board certified and licensed in the commonwealth because he already is," Brown stated.
The state upped the advertised job pay-scale in August to help fill the position. Wanger will handle around 250 cases a year. He’s set to begin his position January 1.
Brown says the state is also looking for two more ME’s. One for the Louisville office, and one for the northern Kentucky office.
