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4th candidate seeks examiner's position

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 16, 2000


LARGO -- A fourth person has applied to replace Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Joan Wood, who retires on Sept. 30.

Dr. Russell S. Vega, an associate medical examiner in Hillsborough County, notified State Attorney Bernie McCabe on Monday that he is interested in the job. McCabe heads a local search committee to replace Wood.

Vega, 38, a lifelong resident of Florida, is the only local candidate to apply for the job.

The other three applicants are a professor of pathology at West Virginia University, the medical examiner of Palm Beach County and an associate medical examiner in Miami-Dade County.

Russell received his medical degree from the University of South Florida's College of Medicine. He received a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University.

Vega has served as an associate medical examiner in Hillsborough since 1996.

The search committee is interviewing applicants Aug. 31.

It will recommend a replacement for Wood to the Florida Medical Examiner Commission, which in turn will make a recommendation to Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush will make the appointment to the three-year post.

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