Multnomah County’s jail system is set to welcome Dr. Stephen Kane as its new medical director, following a recent announcement by Corrections Health.
Dr. Kane, a 32-year-old physician from Maryland, is expected to take on the role starting October 7.
He will receive an annual salary of $299,193.31.
Having just completed his residency and master’s program in public health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore in late June, Kane is in the process of obtaining a medical license in Oregon.
He will succeed Dr. Eleazar Lawson, who left the position in March amidst unclear circumstances.
Lawson had served for 19 months and earned an annual salary of $349,133.
The Multnomah County jail system has recently faced significant scrutiny, particularly due to a series of inmate deaths.
Seven individuals died in 2023, followed by one in 2024 and three more so far this year.
The recent release of county records highlighted a particularly alarming case, in which a man reportedly experiencing opioid withdrawal died from diarrhea, an issue that some health experts believe could have been avoided.
In a recent interview, Dr. Kane expressed his eagerness to develop policies aimed at ensuring inmates receive the healthcare they require, as well as assisting them in their transition back into society.
Kane’s interest in corrections health is deeply rooted in his personal experiences growing up in an environment affected by severe mental illness and substance use disorder, alongside interactions with law enforcement.
He explained that in medical school, he became aware of how marginalized, underserved, and vulnerable this population often is, acknowledging that they frequently do not receive adequate care.
Michael Crandell, Director of Corrections Health, praised Kane’s qualifications, asserting that his training at what he referred to as
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