Guam remains without a chief medical examiner after one candidate withdrew from consideration, prompting the Commission on Post-Mortem Examinations to pursue a temporary contract with Hawaii-based forensic pathologist Dr. Brett Ferguson.
Commission members acknowledged that even if negotiations with Ferguson are successful, Guam would still lack a resident chief medical examiner because Ferguson plans to remain in Hawaii and travel to the island only as needed to conduct forensic autopsies.
During the Aug. 28 meeting, Dr. Joleen Aguon, the Guam Memorial Hospital interim CEO and hospital administrator said the applicant pool had narrowed.
"Unfortunately, Dr. (Jeffrey) Nine has rescinded his interest," Aguon said.
Ferguson was identified as the second applicant and though officials acknowledged his continued interest, they said pursuing a contract with the doctor was a short-term measure.
The Commission has struck similar deals in the past, noting a prior contract with Dr. Martin Ishikawa who works with Ferguson at a private company called Clinical Labs of Hawaii.
"We're both employed by a private company and contracted out to work with the local law enforcement," Ferguson said.
Ferguson was given the opportunity to address the commission's questions on what services he could bring to the island.
Ferguson, who is a trained pediatrician, worked as a clinician for more than 10 years but recently made the career change.
"I still currently own my own pediatric and family medicine clinic here on the Big Island in Hawaii. I decided to make a career change though instead of being a clinician, I went and retrained as a forensic pathologist," Ferguson said.
Though all general pathologists can perform autopsies, Ferguson said, a forensic pathologist completes an additional year of training to be able to conduct forensic autopsies in cases which may have legal implications.
He has been working as a forensic pathologist for one year.
"I'm close colleagues with Dr. Martin Ishikawa who had provided the same services before for Guam concerning contract forensic autopsies, so it helped me become familiar. So yes, I would love to perform autopsies as necessary," Ferguson said.
But it isn't completely off the table.
"I'm just saying down the road maybe in a couple years," Ferguson told the Commission. "But for time being with my obligations here for next couple years, I'm here living in Hawaii. I would love to help when I'm able."
His help would be limited in scope.
"I can help with the forensic autopsies. I'm curious what your plan was though for performing (autopsies) for death certificates that are not being linked to one of my autopsies for external exams or those other things. I hope you have someone available to help you with that," Ferguson said.
Brenda Sana, GMH's staff manager confirmed that Ferguson has already received temporary licensure to practice in Guam.
Meanwhile Moylan was able to confirm that Ferguson is open to providing "full-service" assistance until a new full-time CME is hired. That arrangement is subject to further discussions.
Ferguson clarified that he would fly to Guam from Hawaii as needed as soon as Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, with opportunity to extend availability to conduct necessary autopsies, but he would not be living on Guam.
With travel time considerations, hospital officials confirmed that cases would be on hold until the doctor arrives to perform the autopsy.
Moylan confirmed that on Aug 28 he was made aware by Guam Police Department Acting Chief Joseph Carbullido that two cases require an autopsy.
"My plan was to mainly do the forensic autopsies, that's what I have time for. If I'm able to do those other ones, ... we'd have to talk about that. I'd have to see how difficult. But ... if we can bundle them together and be able to do them and also save you all money for flying me in," Ferguson said.
Though Ferguson is not able to reside in Guam, he said he is open to a rotating schedule with notice.
"I'd be completely fine with doing that. Also of note, I have a couple of colleagues that I am talking to and trying to get them interested in possibly doing the same type of thing to help out," Ferguson said. "So, you're not always stuck with me."
While the Commission was grateful for the help short-term, Aguon placed emphasis on the need to hire a full-time resident CME.
"We need to put a lot of effort into finding someone who can be here or someone we can rotate that are physically on island for an extended period of time," Aguon said.
Moylan confirmed that Ishikawa still provides services to Guam and that applications for a full-time CME continue to be received by the Commission. He also noted that negotiation with Ferguson on pay would not be the same as Ishikawa's contract considering their individual qualifications.
Guam News Network reached out to Moylan for additional comment; however, a response was not received prior to publication.
The search for a new CME comes following the resignation of Dr. Kenny Su which took effect Aug. 31.