DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office welcomes first forensic pathology fellow through historic HBCU partnership

DECATUR, GA — The DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, in partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine, has welcomed the inaugural fellow of its newly established Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program, marking a historic milestone in forensic medicine and medical education. 

The fellowship, ACGME-accredited on April 24, 2025, is the first forensic pathology fellowship in the nation sponsored by a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The program reflects a shared commitment by DeKalb County and Morehouse School of Medicine to expand access to specialized medical training while increasing diversity within the forensic pathology profession. 

On July 1, 2026, the program officially welcomed its first fellow, Oluwaseun Ogunbona, M.D., Ph.D., who will complete a one-year fellowship under the DeKalb/Morehouse mentorship.

During the program, Dr. Ogunbona will receive advanced training in medicolegal death investigations, forensic autopsy practice, courtroom testimony and forensic science while supporting the Medical Examiner’s Office in better serving the residents of DeKalb County. 

“This fellowship represents a transformational moment not only for the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, but for the future of forensic pathology,” said Beoncia Loveless, Director of Operations, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office. “By partnering with Morehouse School of Medicine, we are helping cultivate the next generation of forensic pathologists while strengthening a workforce that better reflects the diverse communities we serve. We are proud to welcome Dr. Ogunbona as our inaugural fellow and look forward to the impact he will make throughout this year and beyond.”

The fellowship aligns with Morehouse School of Medicine’s longstanding mission to educate healthcare professionals from historically underserved communities. It also addresses the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic physicians in forensic pathology, helping ensure medicolegal death investigations are conducted with cultural competency, scientific excellence and public trust. 

 “This fellowship represents a historic milestone for DeKalb County, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the future of forensic pathology education,” said Gerald T. Gowitt, M.D., DeKalb County’s Chief Medical Examiner and Director of Fellowship Training. “Through an innovative public-private partnership, Forensic Medicine Associates, Inc., and DeKalb County have worked together for nearly 27 years to strengthen and advance the mission of the medical examiner’s office. This partnership has helped build one of the nation’s leading medical examiner’s offices. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and honored to serve as DeKalb County’s Chief Medical Examiner.  

“I am honored to be the inaugural fellow in this groundbreaking program,” said Dr. Oluwaseun Ogunbona, Forensic Pathology Fellow. “This opportunity allows me to learn from outstanding forensic pathologists while serving the people of DeKalb County. I hope my journey encourages other aspiring physicians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to consider forensic pathology as a meaningful career dedicated to science, justice and public service.”

The launch of the fellowship reflects the collaborative efforts of the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, Morehouse School of Medicine, dedicated faculty and staff, and the continued support of DeKalb County leadership. Together, the partners are advancing medical education while helping address the national shortage of board-certified forensic pathologists.