Having served as Chief Medical Officer with the BC Coroners Service for over seven years, Dr. Jatinder Baidwan stepped into the role of Chief Coroner on August 8,2024, bringing optimism and steady purpose to the role. A physician, health system leader, and innovator, Dr. Baidwan brings a measured and evidence-informed approach shaped by a career spanning Canada and the United Kingdom. His experience includes service as a military medical officer and executive roles in Canadian and international health sectors.
Known to colleagues simply as “Taj,” he is particularly focused on strengthening the role of the Coroners Service in providing data that informs public policy, with the aim of preventing future deaths and enhancing safety for all British Columbians. He remains deeply committed to ensuring every investigation undertaken by the Service is both rigorous and respectful, drawing on a wide array of expertise, from medical history and scene examination to forensic pathology and toxicological analysis.
A Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK) and a certificant of the Canadian College of Family Physicians, Dr. Baidwan also holds postgraduate qualifications in leadership and management. His tenure as Chief Medical Officer saw the creation of a robust province-wide postmortem diagnostic network. He also served as the organizational lead for the investigation of the deaths and recommendations stemming from the 2021 Heat Dome as well as theCOVID-19 pandemic and its associated increase in mortality. Most recently, Dr. Baidwan has been working to address on the unique needs of rural and remote communities and is dedicated to improving access to care and resources for those historically underserved by health and social systems.
Dr. Baidwan brings a genuine commitment to the well-being of others, a focus on transformative solutions, and the steady leadership needed to guide the Service through complex and evolving challenges. As Chief Coroner, he is guided by a belief in transparency, compassion, and collaboration—particularly in fostering meaningful relationships with communities and supporting efforts grounded in respect, trust, and shared understanding.