Whatcom County Council confirms medical examiner

Whatcom County Council has unanimously confirmed interim medical examiner Dr. Aldo Fusaro as medical examiner to start on Monday, December 9. Council confirmed Fusaro to the position with a 7-0 vote at the November 6 meeting.

Councilmember Ben Elenbaas said he supported Fusaro assuming the position.

“I was involved in the interview process and I found Dr. Fusaro very kind and insightful,” Elenbaas said. “As he served as our interim examiner, the feedback I’ve received from people who have worked with him, I’ll quote one, ‘It’s like a breath of fresh air.’”

The Northwest Washington Medical Society and sheriff Donnell Tanksley recommended Fusaro to the position, as required in the Whatcom County Code.

In its letter of recommendation, the medical society wrote that the county conducted a thorough interview process and found Fusaro to be well-qualified.

Tanksley wrote in his recommendation that “I wholeheartedly support his appointment and believe he will serve the people of Whatcom County gracefully.”

The county began searching for a new medical examiner in early August as former medical examiner Dr. Allison Hunt transitioned from her contract with the county. Hunt’s departure came after an independent investigation into the storage of two bodies that were improperly stored and severely decomposed in mid-May. The county received six applicants, including Fusaro, and conducted two rounds of interviews.

County council unanimously confirmed county executive Satpal Sidhu’s appointment of Fusaro as the interim medical examiner during the September 10 council meeting. While serving in the interim position, Fusaro worked concurrently as deputy medical examiner in Montana.

Fusaro has served as deputy medical examiner of the Montana State Medical Examiner’s Office since 2017 and previously served as associate medical examiner for King County from 2005 to 2017. He started his career in the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office in Chicago from 1997 to 2005 after attending medical school at Des Moines University. He has taught at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Rush Medical College.

During the November 6 meeting, county council also introduced an ordinance that will establish the Medical Examiner Department within Whatcom County. The ordinance is expected to be discussed at council’s next meeting on Tuesday, November 19.

The county has been transitioning its medical examiner, historically an independent, contracted position, into a county position. Fusaro was hired as a county employee when he became interim examiner.