Introduction

The autopsy is a low-tech, high-yield medical procedure firmly rooted in the history of medicine. It is an extraordinary tool for quality improvement of medical care, public heath and, most important, clear explanation of why a person has died. My primary research interests were the educational benefits of the autopsy and developing effective strategies for communicating this information.

Current Position

• Professor Emeritus of Pathology

Education

• BA in Anthropology, University of Wyoming
• MD, University of Nebraska College of Medicine
• Resident in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, University of Missouri-Columbia Hospitals and Clinics
• Fellow in Forensic Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Certifications

• Diplomate, Forensic Pathology, American Board of Pathology
• Diplomate, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, American Board of Pathology

Selected Publications

• Rempel A.M.L., Persons J.E., Bengtson K., Nashelsky M.B. (2024). Causes of Death in the Presence of Law Enforcement in Johnson County, Iowa, 2011-2020. Am J Public Health 114 (6) 642-650. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307616. PMID: 38574318. PMCID: PMC11079845.
• Aiken S.S., Nashelsky M. (2023). The National Association of Medical Examiners Position Paper: Second Autopsies. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 44 (3) e91-e96. DOI: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000853. PMID: 37463353.
• Persons, J. E., Hefti, M. M. & Nashelsky, M. B. (2019). Epidemiology of suicide in an Iowa cohort. Public Health 177 128-134. DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2019.08.005. PMID: 31563700.
• Davis, G. G., Winters, G. L., Fyfe, B. S., Hooper, J. E., Iezzoni, J. C., Johnson, R. L., Markwood, P. S., Naritoku, W. Y., Nashelsky, M., Sampson, B. A., Steinberg, J. J., Stubbs, J. R., Timmons, C. & Hoffman, R. D. (2018). Report and Recommendations of the Association of Pathology Chairs’ Autopsy Working Group. Acad Pathol 5 1-10. DOI: 10.1177/2374289518793988. PMID: 30186954. PMCID: PMC6117865.
• Nashelsky, M. & Sinard, J. H. (2017). Chapter 10: Decedent Affairs Program. In Collins, K. A. (Eds.) Autopsy Performance & Reporting,. (3rd Edition), pp. 69-72. Northfield, IL: College of American Pathologists.
• Jacob, M., Nashelsky, M. B. & Dailey, M. O. (2014). Accidental ingestion of a grill brush wire resulting in death. Acad Forensic Pathol 4 (2) 240-3. DOI: 10.23907/2014.037.
• Nashelsky M.B., Pinckard J.K. (2011). The Death of SIDS. Academic Forensic Pathology (1) 92-99. DOI:10.23907/2011.010.
• Nolte KB, Lathrop S.L., Nashelsky, M.B., Nine, J.S., Gallaher, M.M., Umland E.T., McLemore J.L., Reichard R.R., Irvine R.A., McFeeley P.J., Zumwalt R.E. (2007) "Med-X": a medical examiner surveillance model for bioterrorism and infectious disease mortality. Hum Pathol. (5) 718-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2007.02.003. PMID: 17437862.
• Nashelsky, M.B., Lawrence, C.H. (2003). Accuracy of cause of death determination without forensic autopsy examination. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. (4) 313-9. DOI: 10.1097/01.paf.0000097857.50734.c3. PMID:14634467.