To the editor:

For many years, Dr. Francis Varga of Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake and Dr. Leonardo Dishman of Alice Hyde in Malone have been the two pathologists, providing pathology services to the coroners of Franklin County. They have both served with professional dedication for many years.

Both Dr. Varga and Dr. Dishman will no longer be providing pathology services in the forensic legal areas.

On behalf of the Franklin County coroners, I would like to publicly thank both of them for their professional service, dedication, commitment to high standards, availability and willingness to work with both the coroners of Franklin County and the law enforcement agencies associated with death investigations referred to the coroner’s office.

Their professional services, time and cooperation is recognized and appreciated.

With the loss, their services within Franklin County will now be provided by the Pathology Department at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, or in Albany. This will mean that when pathology services are needed by Franklin County coroners, the services will be provided outside of Franklin County.

While we offer our thanks to both Dr. Varga and Dr. Dishman, the change in services will bring changes.

There may be time-related adjustments that were not present before.

The CVPH Pathology Department has been very helpful and cooperative as this transition of services moves forward. Policies, protocols, forms, etc., are being finalized by the Franklin County Coroner’s Department, Franklin County Administrative Committee, County Manager, district attorney and county attorney to meet the needs of Franklin County.

We are grateful for the many years of service provided by our two pathologists, who helped provide required services within Franklin County. We live in a changing world, and those services will continue to be provided, but adjusted to meet the requirements and needs of today’s world.

Sincerely,

Ronald B. Keough

Franklin County Coroner Department head, on behalf of Franklin County Coroners: Ronald B. Keough, Brain Langdon, Shawn Stuart, Hubert Wilcox

Saranac Lake