William H. Baker, MD
#7: 1983-1984
Dr. Baker is currently Professor Emeritus of Surgery. When in practice, he was Chief of the Section of Peripheral Vascular Surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. In addition, he was Director of the Peripheral Vascular Laboratory and Director of both the Vascular Fellowship as well as the General Surgery Training Programs.
Dr. Baker was born on the South side of Chicago and received his primary and secondary education in the Chicago Public School System. After graduating from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, he attended the University of Chicago Medical School. A straight surgical internship was completed at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics before completing an additional year at the University of Iowa. His surgical training was interrupted for two years while in the United States Army. During his second year of service, he served with the 85th Evacuation Hospital in Viet Nam. He returned to complete his general surgical residency at the University of Chicago before spending a year with Dr. Wylie as a vascular fellow at the University of California in San Francisco.
Dr. Baker was named Assistant Professor in a new division of Peripheral Vascular Surgery at the University of Iowa in 1970. A busy clinical service and vascular fellowship were soon established. Although his interests blanket the field of vascular surgery, he is perhaps best known for his carefully studied carotid endarterectomy patients. In 1976, Dr. Baker joined the faculty of the Stritch School of Medicine and is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Surgery. He was also Medical Director of the Peripheral Vascular Laboratory He has been Program Director of both General and Vascular Surgery. In addition, he has been President of the Midwestern Surgical Association, the Program Directors of Vascular Surgery, the North American Chapter of the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, (currently a part of the Society for Vascular Surgery), the Central Surgical Association, and the Chicago Surgical Society.
Dr. Baker and his family are enjoying retirement both in Chicago and in their second home on the shores of Lake Michigan, where they spend their leisure time playing tennis, golf, bicycling, and spoiling grandchildren.
