Roger A. Mitchell, Jr.

Roger A. Mitchell, Jr. MD is Professor of Pathology at Howard University College of Medicine and serves as the incoming President of Howard University Hospital (effective September 2024). Previously, he was the Chief Medical Officer for the Howard University Faculty Practice Plan, Chair of the Department of Pathology, and Director for the Center of Excellence for Trauma and Violence Prevention. Mitchell served as Chief Medical Examiner for Washington, DC from 2014 to 2021 and holds the distinction of being the only forensic pathologist in history to simultaneously serve as Interim Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice.

Education:

• MD, Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, 2003
• BS, Biology, Howard University, 1996

Mitchell's research focuses on forensic pathology with special emphasis on death in custody, violence prevention, and gunshot wound analysis. His work addresses critical issues at the intersection of medicine, public health, and criminal justice, particularly examining racial disparities in violence and mortality. He has developed protocols for investigating deaths in correctional facilities and advocated for comprehensive reform of systems contributing to violence in African American communities. His research trajectory shows evolution from clinical forensic pathology toward broader public health implications and policy recommendations.

Mitchell's publication record demonstrates consistent focus on forensic pathology, violence prevention, and public health. His most recent work examines challenges in recruiting Black forensic pathologists and analyzes patterns of firearm-related violence, while earlier publications address deaths in custody, mass shooting wound patterns, and the violence epidemic in African American communities. His research shows increasing emphasis on racial disparities and systemic reform with significant policy implications.

Key Contributions:

• Chair of the Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention for the National Medical Association
• Co-author of 'The Violence Epidemic in the African American Community: A Call for Comprehensive Reform'
• Lead author of National Association of Medical Examiners Position Paper on Deaths in Custody
• Author of book 'Death in Custody - How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can do About It'
• Chair of the Performance Improvement Committee for Howard University Hospital

Mitchell has provided nearly 100 lectures on forensic topics and serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of the Center for Policy Analysis & Research. His funding includes support from Bloomberg Philanthropies Data For Health initiative. He has been featured on national media including 'Dateline with Lester Holt' and 'Meet the Press with Chuck Todd' for his expertise. During the pandemic, he directed Howard University's COVID-19 Testing Laboratory and has led national initiatives examining deaths in custody.

As Director for the Center of Excellence for Trauma and Violence Prevention, Mitchell leads outreach efforts to decrease gun violence in Washington, DC. He serves as President-Elect of the National Medical Association, the oldest and largest group of Black physicians in the United States. His work bridges clinical forensic pathology, public health policy, and community engagement to address systemic violence and improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.