Coroner Hires More Pathologists
By Jon Murray
Indianapolis Star
January 19, 2007
The Marion County coroner's office has hired two more pathologists to perform autopsies, bringing the total to four since the firing last year of a forensic pathology firm.
Dr. Kent Harshbarger, a forensic pathologist, signed a one-year contract for $145,000, said Tina Noel, a public relations consultant working for the coroner's office. Harshbarger is a deputy coroner in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Dr. Joseph Czaja, an anatomic pathologist, also signed a one-year agreement paying $800 per autopsy, up to $120,000. He lives in Fortville and is medical director for First Source Laboratory in Fishers.
Previously, Coroner Kenneth Ackles hired Dr. Joye Carter as chief forensic pathologist and Dr. E. Allen Griggs, a Martinsville anatomic pathologist who is performing autopsies part-time for the office.
Ackles terminated his contract with Forensic Pathology Associates of Indiana last year, and it left the office Dec. 19.
"All of our new pathologists have more than enough experience to handle the important and delicate work that is conducted here," Ackles said in a news release. "They will serve the people of Marion County extremely well."
Call Star reporter Jon Murray at (317) 444-2752.