Item Description:
title
Reappointment of Dr. Andrew M. Baker to the unclassified position of Hennepin County Medical Examiner effective June 12, 2024
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 390.0065, Dr. Andrew M. Baker be reappointed for a four-year term as the Hennepin County Medical Examiner commencing June 12, 2024.
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Background:
The reappointment of Dr. Andrew M. Baker to a four-year term as the Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner is recommended. His current term in this role will terminate on June 11, 2024.
After completing a postgraduate fellowship in Forensic Pathology with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, Dr. Baker served as an officer in the medical corps of the United States Air Force and a Medical Examiner in the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner for four years. Dr. Baker then joined the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office in 2002 to serve as the Assistant Chief Medical Examiner. He was first appointed to the position of Hennepin County Medical Examiner in 2004.
Dr. Baker oversees and manages the largest medical examiner's office in the state of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. The office serves Hennepin, Dakota and Scott counties. He leads with innovation and continues to distinguish himself as a national leader who is frequently called upon to speak at a national and international level. He has held multiple positions of leadership at a national level, including that of President of the National Association of Medical Examiners, the professional organization that sets the standards for the practice of forensic pathology in the United States.
Since first being appointed, Dr. Baker has led the department through stringent certification processes and ongoing process improvements. Dr. Baker leads with a focus on the core values of Hennepin County. His expectations of quality and compassion result in seamless service to our citizens and partner agencies in our communities.
In October 2023, Dr. Baker was awarded the nation’s most prestigious award for medical examiners and the foremost peer award in forensic science - the Milton Helpern Award from the American Academy of Forensic Scientists.
In the past term he also played a critical role in the construction, design and transition into the new the state-of-the art regional medical examiner's office and has overseen and managed the office during the pandemic, an historic increase in drug fatalities, increased homicides and has focused on expanding roles within the office to meet increased demand for services.
Dr. Andrew Baker was reappointed as the Chief Medical Examiner in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. It is recommended that Dr. Baker be reappointed for a four-year term as the Hennepin County Medical Examiner beginning June 12, 2024.
Current request:
Reappoint Dr. Andrew M. Baker to the unclassified position of Hennepin County Medical Examiner effective June 12, 2024.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval