LUBBOCK, Texas – On Tuesday, the National Autopsy Assay Group (NAAG) Pathology Labs, PC of San Diego submitted a letter to Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish indicating their plans not to renew their contract with the county.
The medical corporation is contracted to provide services to the Lubbock County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Their current contract will expire on September 30, 2019.
Below is the letter submitted to Judge Parrish:
Dear Judge Parrish,
It has been an honor and privilege for our firm to provide services as the Medical Examiner for Lubbock County. Our goal is and continues to be to provide high quality, reliable medical evidence for the criminal justice and public health systems, and for family members who have lost their loved ones. Because we serve a vital role in the criminal justice system, we must not allow politics to distract us from this vital mission. For that reason, we have made the decision to not renew our contract with Lubbock County.
We are proud of our accomplishments in upgrading the Lubbock County Medical Examiners office, and we thank those members of the Commissioner’s Court who have supported us in our efforts to improve the Medical Examiner’s office.
As you are aware, there are only a limited number of qualified forensic pathologists to provide the necessary services in medical examiners’ offices. It was always our intent to recruit an additional pathologist for Lubbock County. Unfortunately, the environment created in Lubbock County by a few individuals with personal or political agendas have made those recruiting efforts virtually impossible. Accordingly, NAAG Pathology Labs, PC regretfully notifies Lubbock County under § 29(c) of the referenced Agreement that it does not desire the Agreement to automatically renew on September 30 and the Agreement shall terminate on September 30, 2019.
As Lubbock County moves forward, we sincerely hope that the next Medical Examiner will have the full support of all County Commissioners and the community, free from personal and political agendas that detract from efficient county administration.
With kind regards,
NAAG PATHOLOGY LABS P.C.
per
Evan W. Matshes MD FRCPC
