
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 11, 1990                   TAG: 9006110194
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NO CRITICISM OF COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

PLEASE understand that the remarks quoted in your May 29 article about the Western Division medical examiners' morgue were not intended to express or imply criticism in any way of Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley, its policies, or staff. Since 1967, Community Hospital has generously leased morgue and office facilities to this office, and shared many valuable services with us. They have been cooperative, patient and supportive, often under difficult circumstances.

There is a great need for a facility specifically designed for forensic pathology services. Hospital facilities cannot be expected to handle a projected caseload of 1,000 or more medico-legal autopsies per year over the next 10 years.

Until this very important project can be completed, we trust that Community Hospital will continue to provide their facilities so that we may render this service to the people of Southwest Virginia. We will continue to cooperate with Community Hospital and will minimize inconvenience to them or to hospital routine.

We would like to express our deep gratitude for the many years of cooperation and support from Community Hospital, and we sincerely regret any misunderstanding arising from the article.

DAVID W. OXLEY, M.D.\ Deputy Chief Medical Examiner\ WILLIAM MASSELLO III, M.D.\ Assistant Chief Medical Examiner\ ROANOKE

by CNB