Arunkumar reappointed Cook County medical examiner

Dr. Ponni Arunkumar was reappointed to a second 5-year term as chief medical examiner of Cook County by the county board Thursday.

"Dr. Arunkumar has effectively led the Cook County medical examiner's office through the deadliest pandemic in a century and a dramatic uptick in homicides and opioid overdose deaths," Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said. "Dr. Arunkumar remains deeply committed to the office, its staff, our county and its residents, and I am proud to reappoint her as our chief medical examiner."

Arunkumar began serving as chief medical examiner in July 2016.

"I am honored to be entrusted by President Preckwinkle and the county's board of commissioners to continue my service to Cook County as chief medical examiner," Arunkumar said. "While the past year in particular has been the most challenging of my career, I am honored to lead a team of such dedicated and hardworking professionals to ensure that every patient that comes to our office is treated with dignity and respect."