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April, 2014 - Volume 1, Issue 2 • www.thename.org

Welcome! INDEX Welcome to the second issue of the NAME Foundation Newsletter. In this is- sue, the founder of the NAME Foundation, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, is featured. Welcome 1 Tom remains very active in the National Association of Medical Examiners and the Foundation. The accompanying article about Tom provides a great Focus on Thomas deal of information about Tom, as well as the origins of the NAME Founda- T. Noguchi, M.D. 2 tion. The Foundation relies on the support of all of its members. Thank you for your continued support. For those who have not yet joined, please refer NAME Foundation to the membership criteria listed elsewhere in this Newsletter. As always, Membership and all issues of the Newsletter are available on the NAME Foundation webpage, Leadership Structure 4 which exists on the NAME website (www.thename.org).

Goals of the NAME Foundation 4 Focus on Thomas T. -Irvine). He Following his tenure as Noguchi, M.D. completed his pathology Chief, Tom continued his Obituary 5 residency at the Loma forensic pathology career Linda University School as the Attending Physi- Crossword 6 of Medicine/White Me- cian at the Department of morial Medical Center Pathology, in 1960 and then stayed County & University on faculty as an Assistant of Southern California Professor of Pathology (USC) Medical Center. in charge of the Autopsy During his distinguished service. He is Board- career, Dr. Noguchi has certified by the American been (and continues to Board of Pathology in be) actively involved in Thomas T. Noguchi Anatomic Pathology teaching, including roles (Tom) was born in 1927, (1960), Clinical Pathol- at many institutions of in Fukuoka City, Ja- ogy (1962), and Forensic higher learning, such as pan. He graduated from Pathology (1963). In USC, UCLA, and Loma Nippon Medical School, 1961, he began to serve Linda University. He be- , in 1951. After as Deputy Medical Ex- came Professor of Pathol- completing a rotating aminer at the Los Ange- ogy in 1987, and since internship at the Tokyo les County Department of 1999, has been Professor University Hospital in Chief Medical Examiner- Emeritus of Forensic 1952, Tom did another Coroner’s Office, and in Pathology at USC’s Keck internship year at the 1967 was appointed as School of Medicine. Orange County General the Chief Medical Exam- During his teaching ten- Hospital (now known iner-Coroner, a position ure, he has been the re- as the University of which he held until 1982. cipient of many teaching

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honors, including an hon- Medical Examiners orary doctorate degree (1982), a Past President and several international of the California State visiting professorships. Coroners Association A quick check of Med- (1974), a past member of line shows Dr. Noguchi’s the Board of Governors acumen for research and of the American College publishing; he is listed of Legal Medicine, and is as having authored well currently the President of over 50 scientific manu- the World Association for scripts within the medi- Medical Law. He serves cal literature. Regarding many organizations via Dr. Noguchi’s interest in Tom’s publications, he is his active participation swabbing procedure, sug- Dr. Noguchi’s interest in probably best-known for on various committees. gesting that cotton from forensic pathology actu- his popular non-fiction Particularly of note is his the swabs had somehow ally began at a relatively New York Times Best- dedicated work for inter- occluded the airway. young age. His father seller Coroner (Simon & national relations within A subsequent autopsy was an otolaryngologist Schuster, 1983), and its both the NAME and the performed on the unfor- in . One day, as a sequel, Coroner-at-Large American Academy of tunate patient revealed 12 or 13 year old boy, (Simon & Schuster, Forensic Sciences. He that there was, in fact, Tom walked into his 1985). has received numerous no cotton occluding the father’s clinic, and he awards and citations from airway, and Tom’s father Dr. Noguchi has served saw his father performing law enforcement agencies was exonerated. It was the forensic science and CPR on a patient. Appar- and medical societies, in- at this point that young law enforcement com- ently, his father had been cluding a Police Medal of Tom began to have an munities through many performing an iodine Outstanding Contribution interest in legal medi- channels during his throat swabbing (prior to to Police and Forensic cine. Tom went on to career, including mem- the days of antibiotics) Medicine by the Japanese become a physician, and bership on a number of on the patient, who had a National Police Agency eventually, in the early Boards of Editors for fo- severe sore throat, when (1999), the Imperial 1960s, as the specialty of rensic journals, and mem- the patient collapsed, Medal of Sacred Trea- forensic pathology was bership and leadership experiencing an anaphy- sure by the Emperor of in its infancy, studied within many national and lactic-type reaction. The Japan (1999), the NAME pathology, with a focused international professional patient died. The district Milton Helpern Laureate emphasis on autopsy organizations. Most attorney suspected that Award (2005), and the and forensic medicine. notably, Tom is a Past something mechanical AAFS Distinguished Fel- Asked about the most President of the National had gone wrong with the important mentors that Association of low Award (2007). Page 2 Back to index Back to index NAME 2014

he has had during his Throughout his ca- career, Tom provides the reer, Dr. Noguchi has following names: for envisioned what was basic autopsy training, eventually to become Abraham Lu at Loma the NAME Foundation. Linda University-White From the earliest days of Memorial Hospital; for the NAME organization, forensic pathology, Dr. Tom has been attending Theodore J. Curphey; for its annual meetings. In international forensic sci- fact, he is one of the few entists, Dr. Kazuo Suzuki active NAME members of Tokyo Dental College, remaining who attended a pioneer in the field of NAME’s first meeting. forensic odontology in interred at an American Forensic Science Center. Through the years, Dr. Japan. Dr. Noguchi was “concentration camp” She retired in 1986 to Noguchi has witnessed also asked about some for the Japanese during care for ailing family tremendous success of the “giants” within World War II. Despite members. Although Tom and progress within the FP. Specifically with this tragic set-back, she and Hisako were not NAME organization. regards to which of them went on to earn a Ph.D. blessed with children of Despite this, he has also younger FPs should learn in biochemistry and was their own, they did have noted, on far too many more about and attempt a well-established re- two visiting students who occasions, a continu- to emulate, Tom men- searcher and teacher at lived with them during ous “financial struggle.” tioned Milton Helpern, UCLA and USC, among high school/college in Over time, Tom came Leslie Lukash, Joe Davis other institutions. As an the 1970s, whom they to envision a day when from the , electron microscopist, consider their “children.” NAME would become as well as Keith Simpson she was also instrumental Each has a family of their financially stable and (UK), Frederic Thomas in pushing the incorpora- own today, one in Los sufficiently endowed (Belgium), and Klaus tion of EM into the LA Angeles, the other, an to support research and Pueschel (Germany). County Medical Examin- ENT, in Urawa, Japan. education within fo- Although many of us er’s Office new (in 1972) rensic pathology. His know about much of initial idea of establishing Tom’s professional something along the lines achievements, there’s of the NAME Founda- also a more personal side tion actually occurred in to this esteemed gentle- 1982. At that time, Dr. man. For many years, Noguchi was the NAME NAME members have Vice President, as well observed the love and as the Program Chair dedication Tom has for for the annual meeting his wife, Hisako, who ac- in Newport Beach, CA. companies her husband to It just so happened that many, if not most NAME several high-profile cases, and AAFS meetings. The including Natalie Wood, two of them met in 1953. were investigated by the Hisako attended UCLA, LA Coroners Office in but as a freshman there late 1981. The ensuing in 1941, and despite the media frenzy and all-out fact that she was born Tom and Hisako with one of their “children,” Masako Easton, attack on the office by the who lived with them during college. in Los Angeles, she was entertainment Back to index Back to index Page 3 NAME 2014

industry resulted in a re- and Treasurer were then along with our Found- Chair, a Secretary, and a sponse by politicians that elected by the BoT. In ing Director. Please join Treasurer, who serve as resulted in the removal keeping with Tom’s the NAME Foundation the Officers of the corpo- of Dr. Noguchi from his character, humility, and Officers, BoT, and mem- ration. At the last meet- position. Despite these sense of inclusiveness, bers in thanking Dr. Tom ing of the BoT, a new work-place hardships, he politely and humbly Noguchi, for his vision in position, “Founding Di- the NAME leadership, declined to serve as Chair establishing the NAME rector,” was added to the particularly Joe Davis, of the Foundation, prefer- Foundation. In the years officer positions of the remained totally support- ring to serve as a Board ahead, may his vision Foundation. Dr. Thomas ive of Tom, and he was member. As the number continue, expand, and Noguchi, founder of the unanimously elected to of years that a BoT may come to fruition through NAME Foundation, has become the next NAME serve is limited by the by- the ongoing work of the graciously accepted this President at the 1982 an- laws, it recently became NAME Foundation. position, and will remain nual meeting. Tom was evident to the BoT that NAME Foundation in the position for as long so touched by the support Tom’s activity as a Board Membership and as he is able. Please re- and encouragement of the member might have to Leadership Structure fer to the accompanying NAME leadership and cease, as a result of term information “box” for an membership that he made limits. Consequently, at The NAME Foundation up-to-date list of current a pledge at that moment, the last meeting of the was officially established BoTs and Officers. The that as long as he lived, NAME Foundation BoT, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoT meet face-to-face he would support NAME and at the recommen- charitable corporation in in conjunction with both and work toward its fu- dation of the Officers, 2006. The overall goals the Annual and Interim ture success. Ultimately, the Board unanimously of the Foundation are to NAME meetings. In according to Tom, it agreed to create a new advocate for the profes- addition, the BoT have was his wife, Hisako, to Officer position, entitled sion of Forensic Pathol- monthly conference calls, whom he gives credit for “Founding Director.” Dr. ogy, particularly via in order to attend to the encouraging him to form Noguchi was therefore maintaining its history business of the corpora- the NAME Foundation. named the first (and only) and promoting education tion. We on the BoT So, in 1999, as a direct Founding Director of the and research. NAME welcome ideas and input result of Tom’s initiative NAME Foundation, and members (regular and from all NAME Founda- and under the oversight will serve in that position affiliate) are able to join tion members. of the Past Presidents as long as he is able to the NAME Foundation by making a minimum Goals of the NAME Committee, the “NAME do so. Moving forward, Foundation Endowment Fund” was Tom hopes to remain annual contribution ($50 established. The official active within the NAME for NAME members; $25 As indicated above, the title for the entity evolved Foundation, working with for affiliates). An annual goals of the Foundation to become the “NAME the BoT and members to meeting of the Founda- have to do with the pro- Foundation,” and, in significantly increase the tion membership occurs motion of and advocacy 2006, the Foundation was fund, with the ultimate in conjunction with the for forensic pathology, officially incorporated goals of supporting edu- NAME Annual Meeting. specifically through edu- as a nonprofit charitable cation, research, and the The leadership of the cation/teaching, research, 501(c)(3) corporation. At archiving of history with- Foundation consists of a and archiving history. In the time of incorporation, in forensic pathology and Board of Trustees (BoT), the past several months, and according to the by- death investigation. As elected by the Foundation the Foundation has laws, a Board of Trustees discussed elsewhere in membership, who serve been working toward (BoT) was elected by the this edition of the NAME 3-year terms, with a max- the realization of these membership (donors) of Foundation Newsletter, imum of 2 consecutive goals via several strate- the Foundation. A Chair, the Foundation is actively terms. The BoT annu- gies. Strategies currently Vice Chair, Secretary, pursuing these goals ally elects a Chair, a Vice under active develop- Page 4 Back to index Back to index NAME 2014

ment and implementation include increased recruit- and investigating the possibility of partnering with a ment of members, expanding membership to include philanthropist in order to assist in the continued devel- corporate membership, expanding fundraising efforts, opment and success of the NAME Foundation. Please investigating options for creating a museum exhibit, stay-tuned for exciting updates.

Obituary: We are saddened by the news that John E. Pless, MD, past President of the National Association of Medical Examiners, and past Chair of the NAME Foundation, died in Indianapolis, IN on March 17, 2014. Our prayers and thoughts are with Lois and his family.

Don’t miss the last two pages of the newsletter

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ACROSS: 1 Author of “Coroner” 4 Forensic entomologist concern 7 Rectus, transversus, & the obliques 10 Afternoon ____ 13 Ovarian contents 14 Full of vim & vigor 16 Shell component 17 Exam used for ID help 19 Multiple of the most common CEW 21 Workshop tool 23 What new Christians consider themselves 24 Repeated (orally) 26 What a trial attorney does prior to resting 27 Unknown John 28 Famous Texan Hogg 29 One source of NaCl 32 One accepted method for evidence shipping 35 Windy City bigwig 36 FP text author, with 52 Expressed feeling 5 A type of gas 33 Topic for trace exam- Evan and Emma 55 What an attorney 6 Maker of CT scanner iners 37 A type of decision might do to a witness 7 Jeopardy initials 34 Backbone 38 Houston diamond boy 57 Basketball/hockey 8 Object of odontolo- 37 Tree “juice” 39 Ulna counterparts places gist exam, perhaps 41 Commanded 40 First on the to-do list 59 Arid land 9 Older abrasions 42 Workers at trial after present- 60 Type of football play 10 Pipsqueak 46 Sex assault ing one’s case 62 Consume 11 Garner 49 Repair 41 “Being a good pa- 63 6-shooter 12 Webpage “extras” 50 Gonad thologist ______66 They sang “Eldo- 15 “___ electrophore- 51 Don Diego de la Vega to being a good FP” rado” sis” 53 Uptight 43 Home to Mirchan- 67 Fruity drink 18 Weds kin 54 Taunts dani, Land, and 68 Type of poem 20 “____ du jour” 55 Necrotic Wecht 69 Apply or operate 22 River 56 Famous Delaware 44 Stallone’s nickname 70 Soviet carbine 23 Jamaica specialty Doc 45 Hwy 25 Type of hand injury 58 Pout 47 Vince, to Dominick DOWN 26 John Hancock 59 Govt agency 48 Wear 1 When PMI begins 29 Remote injuries? 61 Numbers 50 An event involving a 2 “_____ and out” 30 Former King Co. ME 64 “__ day” CEW (EMD) 3 Country estate 31 Anxious 65 Europe grp 4 “_____ me” 32 Opposite of 2-down Page 6 Back to index Back to index NAME 2014

Answers to Crossword Puzzle:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS

NAME Foundation Board of Trustees NAME Foundation Membership Criteria Chair – Joseph A. Prahlow, MD The NAME Foundation is proud to offer membership to any Vice Chair – Margaret S. Greenwald, MD member of the National Association of Medical Examiners who makes an annual contribution to the NAME Foundation. Secretary – Marcus B. Nashelsky, MD The following minimal annual contribution qualifies Treasurer – Michael Graham, MD membership in the NAME Foundation: Founding Director – Thomas Noguchi, MD NAME Members: $50.00 Trustees: Randy Hanzlick, MD, James Luke, MD, Michael F. NAME Affiliates: $20.00 Rieders, PhD; Ex-Officio: Gregory G. Davis, MD, Gregory A. Schmunk, MD

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