Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: March 8, 2006
Contact : Brenda Sullivan, (401) 222-1018

Gifford Appoints New Chief Medical Examiner
New Medical Examiner Is Currently Medical Examiner in Manhattan

Dr. David R. Gifford, Director of Health, announced today that Thomas P. Gilson, MD, FCAP has been appointed Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Rhode Island. Dr. Gilson will join the Medical Examiner’s Office in May. The current salary for the Chief Medical Examiner position is $151,257.

"We are extremely pleased to have recruited someone with Dr. Gilson’s abilities and expertise, and we are very happy that he agreed to lead the Office of the Medical Examiner,” said Dr. Gifford. “Dr. Gilson’s experience working in New York and New Hampshire will be invaluable in meeting the needs of Rhode Islanders,” he added.

Dr. Gilson has been a Medical Examiner for the borough of Manhattan, NY, since November 2002. Prior to that, he was Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for the State of New Hampshire, Acting Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for Staten Island, NY, and City Medical Examiner for Kings County (Brooklyn, NY).

Dr. Gilson received his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and he served as Chief Resident of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology during the latter part of his specialty training at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He then held a Medical Examiner Fellowship in Forensic Pathology in Manhattan.

“I am very excited to join the Rhode Island Department of Health as the Chief Medical Examiner. This office has a history of performing good work, and I look forward to building on, and improving on the foundation that currently exists,” said Dr. Gilson. “One of my goals is to incorporate recent technological advancements in forensic medicine to optimize the management of the Medical Examiner’s Office. This will allow us to better fulfill our public health mission to take information from the people who, unfortunately, are no longer here, to serve those who still are,” he added.

The State Medical Examiner's Office is responsible for investigating the cause and manner of death of approximately 1000 persons per year. This is done through thorough investigation of medical records, witness interviews, law enforcement records, inspection of the scene of death, and in some circumstances, an autopsy.