Election 2023: Democrat Meredith Buck For County Coroner

Candidates running in the May 16 primary election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA —Meredith Buck is running for re-election as a Democrat for Bucks County Coroner in the May 16 primary election against Democratic challenger Patti Campi.

Biographical Information

Name: Meredith Buck

Age: 63

Town of residence: Chalfont

Position sought: Coroner

Are you an incumbent? Yes

What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Bucks County

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: Single mother of a grown daughter

Education:

• Coroner —Pennsylvania State Coroners' Education Board, Harrisburg, PA, PENNSYLVANIA STATE CORONERS’ EDUCATION BOARD, HARRISBURG, PA, Certified, Basic Education Course.
• Juris Doctor —Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, DE. Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, Certified Mediator by the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
• Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration —Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, Philadelphia, PA. Summa Cum Laude.
• Registered Nurse —Chestnut Hill Hospital of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA. Graduated with honors.
• DHS Manager - Volunteer —American Red Cross, Ongoing Emergency Services Courses.

Occupation: Bucks County Coroner/Nurse-Attorney. (She is the first female coroner in Bucks County.)

1. What are the top issues currently facing your position and how do you plan to address them?
Unlike my opponent, I have been the Coroner in Bucks County for more than three years. This is a medico-legal position, and I am uniquely qualified as both an experienced registered nurse in critical care and surgery and an attorney for more than 22 years having owned and operated a small business.

I have a proven record of serving the community and forming critical relationships with the supporting agencies involved in death investigations. The number of drug-related deaths and deaths by suicide is staggering.

Accordingly, on day one, I began sharing data from our office that not only helps save lives but, also brings in significant revenue.

I inherited more than 200 unclaimed decedents and quickly began working with the community and media to help reunite many of them with their loved ones while searching for a proper resting place for the remaining unclaimed in Bucks County. We began by simply posting the names of the decedents on our website and continue to work diligently towards that goal. Additionally, we have re-opened every unclaimed case and are identifying veterans so that they and their spouses are properly laid to rest at Washington Crossing National Cemetery and other National Cemeteries in this Commonwealth.

2. Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your position:
Finding a final resting place for Bucks County unclaimed decedents continues to be a top priority. I have been working with the county and the community in seeking a proper location.

Additionally, increasing our number of deputy coroners to ensure that they can investigate scenes in pairs, given the safety issues faced on a daily basis is of deep concern and I will continue to push for that. Accreditation for the Forensic Facility has not been done since the building’s existence more than 15 years ago. This is a goal to demonstrate that the national standards for death investigation are met and that Bucks County is providing the best forensic services to the community.

3. What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office?
As the current Bucks County Coroner, I have excelled in performing the duties of this office since January 2020, as I helped guide the Bucks County community through the unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic.

Decades of disaster relief training and management helped prepare me for managing this natural disaster. I volunteered with the American Red Cross after 9/11, managing extraordinary teams in all types of disasters, including floods, typhoons, hurricanes, and wildfires.

Accordingly, and as a registered nurse, I received the 2009/2010 Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor that a nurse can receive, awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross which “honors exceptional courage and devotion to caring for the victims of armed conflict or other disasters, or exemplary services and a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.”

As an attorney for more than 22 years, I have served by volunteering my time representing victims of abuse. In addition to disaster relief management, I have experience in owning and operating my own law practice, giving me the skills needed to run any office, including the Bucks County Coroner’s Office. I continue to successfully manage a highly experienced team of deputy coroners and forensic personnel while being a good steward of taxpayer dollars in making prudent spending choices.