HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Guam will need a new chief medical examiner, as Dr. Jeffrey Nine has handed in his resignation.
Nine officially started his role as chief medical examiner Nov. 1, 2022, but on Wednesday, he notified the Commission on Post-Mortem Examinations that he was resigning.
The letter from Nine said “It is with deep humility that I submit this letter of resignation from my post as Guam’s Chief Medical Examiner. Recent personal circumstances have required my relocation to the mainland with my family.”
He provided the commission with 30 days’ notice as stipulated in his appointment agreement.
“My final day of employment will be April 29,” Nine said in the letter.
Nine thanked the commission for the opportunity, although brief. He said, “It is unfortunate that current events have limited my ability to remain on the island.”
The letter was addressed to Attorney General Douglas Moylan and Guam Memorial Hospital Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas, who serve as the commission’s co-chairs.
Moylan confirmed receipt of the resignation letter. He told The Guam Daily Post on Friday, “We will be convening. Dr. Nine wants to work with us to ensure a smooth transition. A family matter drove his decision, I understand.”
Nine informed the commission that he had contacted an off-island board-certified forensic pathologist who can provide contract services for the island.
“He is keenly interested in negotiating with the Commission as soon as possible,” Nine said in his resignation letter.
In the past, the Post-Mortem commission has had difficulty hiring a CME. It took nearly four years to recruit one for the position after the retirement of longtime CME Dr. Aurelio Espinola.
“The Post-Mortem commission has managed to fill the need for services with the help of OCME employee Ms. Johanna Bamba and through contracts with both Dr. Philip Dauterman of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Hawaii forensic pathologists since 2019, when Dr. Aurelio Espinola retired,” the commission stated in October 2022.
Guam’s chief medical examiner, Dr. Jeffrey Nine, resigned Wednesday, March 27, 2024, citing “a family matter.” He has held the position since Nov. 1, 2022.
