San Diego County has announced Dr. Jonathan Lucas as the new Chief Medical Examiner, taking over for the retiring Dr. Steven Campman. Dr. Lucas brings extensive forensic pathology experience to his new role, including a previous tenure as Chief Deputy Medical Examiner since 2022 and serving as the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner for Los Angeles County from 2017 to 2022, where he managed a large team and catered to the needs of over 10 million residents, according to the County of San Diego.
"It is an honor to assume the role of Chief Medical Examiner," Dr. Lucas told the County of San Diego, emphasizing his commitment to scientific excellence and service to the community in a department that investigates sudden and unnatural deaths, thereby helping to identify public health risks and preventative strategies within the County. He has a long-standing involvement with regional task forces, particularly dealing with substance abuse and the opioid epidemic, and he has actively engaged in community partnerships to monitor and respond to trends in deaths related to intoxication and injury, the department's oversight is crucial for public health and safety, and with his leadership, they anticipate continued progress.
Dr. Lucas succeeds Dr. Steven Campman, who brought two-plus decades of dedication to the Medical Examiner's Office, leading it as Chief for the past four years. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Strong recognized Dr. Lucas's depth of experience as a significant advantage for the role. Strong also expressed gratitude to Dr. Campman for his years of service. Dr. Lucas began his career at the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office in 2001, was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2011, has since been involved in accreditation efforts and has restored ACGME accreditation for the department's prestigious forensic pathology training program.
In his new position, Dr. Lucas is expected to continue advocating for public health, with his history of participating in task forces and community collaborations serving as a testament to his dedication to the field, Dr. Lucas received his undergraduate degree from UC Riverside and his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine; he completed his residency at UCLA Medical Center and his forensic pathology fellowship in New York City. San Diego County, which operates independently from law enforcement under the Chief Medical Examiner system since 1990, will look to Dr. Lucas's leadership to help navigate the complexities of public health and safety through the meticulous investigation of deaths and the identification of health risks that such inquiries invariably unfold.
