Dr. Michael Madsen Appointed Chief Medical Examiner

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is excited to announce that Dr. Michael Madsen has accepted the role of Chief Medical Examiner following the retirement of Dr. Lawrence Czarnecki.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Michael Madsen as the Chief Medical Examiner pursuant to A.R.S. 11-592 beginning March 2, 2024, for Coconino County during the March 5, 2024, Board meeting.

Dr. Madsen has served as the Coconino County Assistant Medical Examiner for over 6 years. He is board-certified in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology and previously worked with the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Ramsey, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 2006 after which he completed pathology residency at the University of Vermont. He then completed his forensic pathology fellowship at the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

“Coconino County Health and Human Services is thrilled to have Dr. Madsen as our Chief Medical Examiner. We also want to thank Dr. Czarnecki for the incredibly positive impact he’s had on our County and its residents, and we congratulate him on his retirement,” said Kim Musselman, Coconino County Health and Human Services Director.

Dr. Czarnecki played a pivotal role in numerous initiatives to meet the growing needs of Coconino County residents and neighboring jurisdictions during his 19 years as Chief Medical Examiner with Coconino County. His vision and expertise assisted in the realization of the current state-of-the-art facility. He was also instrumental in the Medical Examiner’s Office earning accreditation from the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). This recognition acknowledges our policies and processes and the hard work and dedication of our team.

Recruitment for the Assistant Medical Examiner position is underway. Interested parties may learn more or apply at Coconino.az.gov/ME2024