North Dakota's first state medical examiner is leaving his job this month.

Dr. George Mizell, who has been on the job for 10 years, averages about 200 autopsies a year, said Arvy Smith, the state Health Department's deputy director. So far this year, he has done 227 autopsies, health officials said.

Health Department officials said Mizell, 50, cited personal and family reasons for leaving. He declined comment.

His last day on the job is Dec. 22.

Mizell, who was hired in 1996, works with county coroners and law enforcement officials on death investigations.

The Legislature authorized the hiring of a state medical examiner in 1993. Mizell was hired after a national search that lasted more than two years.

Health Department officials had considered contracting forensic services from another state at the time because of the difficulty in finding someone for the job. They hope the search will be shorter this time.

"I know last time, hiring was a challenge," Smith said. "But we have already gotten calls on the position."

Dr. Mary Ann Sens, a forensic pathologist and professor at the University of North Dakota, has assisted the state with autopsies, and may be called on to fill in until a medical examiner is hired, Smith said.

The Health Department began advertising for the position on Monday, she said.

Mizell is paid $142,512 annually, up from $108,000 when he was hired a decade ago.

Before coming to North Dakota, he was an assistant medical examiner for Davidson County, Tenn., which includes the city of Nashville.

He also holds a degree in mechanical engineering, and did engineering work for a company at Cape Canaveral, Fla., before deciding he wanted to go to medical school.