OK Forensic Pathology

OK Forensic Pathology This page is about the Forensic Pathology Fellowship at the Oklahoma OCME as well as providing general information about activities at the OCME.

We are trying to get the word out to potential employees and trainees about our agency and its offerings!

🧘 A little wellness with our fellowship training!Yesterday, our staff in Tulsa stepped away from the autopsy tables, rep...
09/10/2026

🧘 A little wellness with our fellowship training!

Yesterday, our staff in Tulsa stepped away from the autopsy tables, reports, and microscopes for a wellness yoga session.

Forensic pathology is incredibly rewarding work, but it can also be demanding. Training the next generation of forensic pathologists isn't only about teaching the science of death investigation, it's also about developing healthy ways to manage stress, support one another, and build a sustainable career in forensic medicine.

A huge thank-you to Caitlin Hendrex, LCSW, and the Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division (OKFRWD) Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division for spending the time with us! The OKFRWD provides wellness resources and support to Oklahoma's first responder community, and we greatly appreciate Caitlin helping us slow down, stretch, breathe, and reset for a little while. We look forward to having her come again next month!

Taking care of yourself is part of learning how to take care of the work. 🖤🧘‍♀️

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Your next chapter starts here. 🔬Applications are now open for the ACGME-accredited Forensic Pathology Fellowship at the ...
08/25/2026

Your next chapter starts here. 🔬

Applications are now open for the ACGME-accredited Forensic Pathology Fellowship at the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner!

Our one-year program offers broad, hands-on training in medicolegal death investigation through our Oklahoma City and Tulsa offices. Fellows complete at least 200 autopsies while working closely with experienced forensic pathologists and specialists in forensic toxicology, neuropathology, anthropology, and other disciplines.

Training also includes scene investigation, advanced postmortem imaging, daily case conferences, journal club, teaching opportunities, and support to attend a national forensic meeting such as NAME or AAFS.

Come train with a statewide medical examiner system offering diverse casework, strong faculty mentorship, and the resources needed to prepare you for independent practice and forensic pathology board certification.

Ready to stay focused and stay ready? Apply through ERAS or contact us at [email protected].

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A few days late, but no less grateful! 💛 And, now, spelled correctly, lol. This past Friday was GME Professionals Day, a...
08/24/2026

A few days late, but no less grateful! 💛 And, now, spelled correctly, lol.

This past Friday was GME Professionals Day, a time to recognize all the people whose work keeps graduate medical education moving forward.

At the OCME, that certainly includes our wonderful program coordinator, Cing, but GME is truly a team effort. We are also grateful for the physicians and administrators who serve in official capacities on our Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), as well as the faculty, staff, and other team members who support GME every day through teaching, mentoring, evaluations, scheduling, recruitment, accreditation, problem-solving, and countless behind-the-scenes tasks.

Our fellows also participate in GMEC meetings, contributing their voices and perspectives while gaining a greater understanding of the work that supports graduate medical education.

To everyone who serves, participates, coordinates, teaches, mentors, supports, or simply helps keep GME moving forward each day: thank you. Your work strengthens the training environment for our fellows and helps prepare the next generation of forensic pathologists to serve Oklahoma and beyond.

Happy belated GME Professionals Day! 🎉

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🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Benge and Dr. Ethan Powell! 🎉Our 2026–2027 Forensic Pathology Fellows have already re...
08/18/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Catherine Benge and Dr. Ethan Powell! 🎉

Our 2026–2027 Forensic Pathology Fellows have already reached another major milestone: both are now board-certified in Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology!

Catherine and Ethan came to Oklahoma with strong pathology training and a clear interest in forensic pathology. Catherine joins us from the University of Missouri, with prior medical examiner experience in Boone and Callaway counties and research presented at NAME. Ethan trained at Allegheny General Hospital, completed a forensic pathology rotation in Charleston, and has also presented his work at NAME.

Now, with their AP boards officially behind them, they can spend this fellowship year focused on what comes next: developing their skills as forensic pathologists, building on their experience through a broad range of cases and rotations, and ultimately preparing to take Forensic Pathology boards following completion of fellowship.

One big hurdle down, one more specialty board to go! We are very proud of Catherine and Ethan and excited to watch everything they accomplish during the year ahead.

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Benge and Dr. Powell!

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📚 The Read with ME Book Club is still here, and still reading!It took us a little longer than usual to get everyone toge...
07/22/2026

📚 The Read with ME Book Club is still here, and still reading!

It took us a little longer than usual to get everyone together. Between busy schedules, maternity leaves, and the arrival of two new tiny future readers, coordinating a meeting became an adventure of its own. But our Tulsa group finally gathered to discuss the first several books of 2026:

🚀 Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
🌊 It Happened on the Lake - Lisa Jackson
🌾 Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall
🌑 All the Colors of the Dark - Chris Whitaker
🎨 My Friends - Fredrik Backman
🕹️ Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

Opinions naturally varied, but this may have been our most widely enjoyed group of selections yet. Project Hail Mary emerged as a particular favorite, and all six books gave us plenty to discuss.

Next up: The Reformatory - Tananarive Due.

This meeting was also special because it was hosted by one of our own! Sami, Tulsa’s investigative lead/manager, recently opened South County Party Co , a creative party and event space in Glenpool.

The studio offers hands-on craft experiences for kids, including art, building, plush-pet adoption, friendship projects, and STEM-inspired activities, with some forensic fingerprinting mixed in, naturally. There are also creative take-home projects, 3-D printed items, an interactive game wall, and a digital photo booth that our group thoroughly enjoyed testing out. 📸

South County Party Co. hosts children’s birthday parties, showers, private events, and other gatherings. Sami has created a fun, welcoming space filled with thoughtful details and plenty to keep kids entertained.

They are also hosting a Drop-In Craft Party Preview on July 25 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Guests can adopt a plush “pet,” decorate its new home, and explore the studio.

📍 707 E. 141st St., Glenpool, OK
☎️ (918) 880-5863
🌐 socopartyco.com
📱 South County Party Co on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

🩺 Not your average fellowship. Not your average career.Applications are open for the 2028–2029 Forensic Pathology Fellow...
07/14/2026

🩺 Not your average fellowship. Not your average career.

Applications are open for the 2028–2029 Forensic Pathology Fellowship at the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner!

Train in Oklahoma City or Tulsa while gaining broad, hands-on experience in:

🔬 200+ autopsies
🧪 Forensic toxicology
🦴 Anthropology
🧠 Neuropathology
🩻 Postmortem radiology
🔎 Death-scene investigation with ABMDI-certified investigators

Fellows receive a $100,000 salary plus Oklahoma state benefits, a private fully equipped workspace, and funding to attend one national conference.

Come learn where medicine, science, and investigation meet, and become our next graduate.

📍 Oklahoma City & Tulsa
📩 [email protected]
💻 Apply through ERAS

07/08/2026

Everyone: “Congratulations on starting fellowship!”
Expectation: You’ll learn a lot.
Expectation: You’ll build confidence.
Expectation: Just take it one day at a time.
Expectation: Ask lots of questions.
Expectation: Nobody expects perfection.
Expectation: Trust the process.
Expectation: We’ve all been there.
Expectation: It’ll all make sense.
Expectation: You’ll be fine.
Expectation: You’ll do great.
Expectation: The attendings are here to help.
Expectation: You’ll be amazed how much you grow.
Expectation: Before you know it, you’ll be teaching the next fellow.
Reality: 🚒💧 “YOU GET TO DRINK FROM THE FIREHOSE!!”
Every forensic pathologist remembers this feeling.

A new academic year is officially underway! 🎉This week, we welcomed our 2026–2027 forensic pathology fellows, Dr. Benge ...
07/08/2026

A new academic year is officially underway! 🎉

This week, we welcomed our 2026–2027 forensic pathology fellows, Dr. Benge and Dr. Powell, as they begin orientation with the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Orientation week is about getting to know new colleagues, learning the workflow, and becoming familiar with the offices they will call home over the next year. A welcome lunch Bricktown Brewery (thanks for the great hospitality!) was the perfect way to kick things off before the real work begins.

Beginning this week, our fellows take the next big step as they start performing forensic postmortem examinations alongside their attending forensic pathologists. The first few weeks of fellowship can feel like drinking from a firehose: new systems, new workflows, new procedures, new terminology, and a completely different way of approaching cases.

But that's exactly what fellowship is for.

Every forensic pathologist remembers what it was like to perform that first forensic case. No one expects our fellows to know everything on day one. Fellowship is about building knowledge, developing confidence, asking questions, making thoughtful decisions, and growing one case at a time.

Drs. Benge and Powell, you've already accomplished something remarkable by getting here. You are surrounded by faculty, investigators, autopsy technicians, laboratory professionals, and administrative staff who are here to teach, mentor, and support you every step of the way.

We have every confidence that both of you will become outstanding forensic pathologists, and we can't wait to watch your knowledge, skills, and confidence grow throughout the year.

Please join us in wishing Drs. Benge and Powell the very best as they begin the 2026–2027 academic year. Welcome to the OCME family!

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Forensic Pathology Fellowship Graduates! 🎓A belated, but no less heartfelt, congratul...
07/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Forensic Pathology Fellowship Graduates! 🎓

A belated, but no less heartfelt, congratulations to Dr. Taylor Howard and Dr. Victoria Thomas on successfully completing their forensic pathology fellowship with the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner!

This year's fellowship graduation celebration was held in Oklahoma City, where faculty, staff, family, and friends gathered to recognize an incredible year of growth, dedication, and achievement. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Howard and Dr. Thomas and grateful for the impact they have had on our fellowship program and our office.

A special thank you to Dr. Suddock for organizing such a wonderful celebration. From the decorations and activities to the overall atmosphere, her hard work helped make the day truly memorable for our graduates and everyone who attended.

This year also introduced a new graduation tradition, with personalized video tributes from Fellowship Director Dr. Miller honoring each graduate during the celebration. We are thrilled to hear they were so well received and look forward to continuing this tradition for future graduating classes.

Finally, to everyone who follows our page: thank you for your patience! We know posts have been sparse over the past month. The end of the academic year is always one of the busiest times for our fellowship program, but that's no excuse. We appreciate you sticking with us and have plenty of educational content and fellowship updates planned for the coming year.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Taylor Howard and Dr. Victoria Thomas on this outstanding accomplishment. We wish them nothing but success in the next chapter of their careers!

🧪 OCME Toxicology Lab Public Alert: Kratom and Mitragynine AlkaloidsKratom is often described as “natural” or “herbal,” ...
06/16/2026

🧪 OCME Toxicology Lab Public Alert: Kratom and Mitragynine Alkaloids

Kratom is often described as “natural” or “herbal,” but our Toxicology Lab is seeing a more complicated picture in actual Oklahoma death investigations.

🌿 Kratom contains mitragynine, and some commercial products may also contain related alkaloids such as 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, and MGM-15. Some of these substances can have opioid-like effects and may be significantly more potent than morphine.

📈 In 2025, mitragynine was detected in 35 OCME cases. Mitragynine or a related alkaloid was listed in the cause of death in 14 cases, making it one of the top twelve reported substances in drug-related overdose deaths in Oklahoma.

🔬 Since the beginning of 2026, our OCME Toxicology Lab has identified a concerning shift toward more detections of mitragynine alkaloids, with the majority of those cases positive for MGM-15.

⚠️ This is why our lab issued a recent public alert. These deaths can resemble other opioid-related deaths at autopsy, and the role of kratom-related substances may not be clear without toxicology testing. Trends in drug deaths change, and forensic toxicology helps us recognize what is showing up in real casework.

👏 A huge thank you to our OCME toxicologists and chemists for the careful, detailed, and ongoing work they do every day to help identify these emerging trends.

📧 For more information about drug trends in Oklahoma: [email protected]

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1627 Southwest Boulevard
Tulsa, OK
74107

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