Craig J. Baker, MD, received his medical degree from Georgetown University, followed by seven years of general surgery training at the University of Southern California. While at USC, Dr. Baker spent two years in the cardiothoracic research laboratory, where he co-authored numerous papers on reperfusion injury, lung transplantation, beating heart surgery, living lobar lung transplantation and pediatric cardiac surgery.
After a three-year cardiothoracic residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Dr. Baker accepted a fellowship in pediatric cardiac surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. While at Children’s Hospital, Dr. Baker had the privilege of working under the direction of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Vaughn Starnes, MD. The following year, Dr. Baker accepted a position in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine.
Dr. Baker is currently the chief of the division of cardiac surgery at the Keck School of Medicine. He also serves as vice chair of surgical education and directs the cardiothoracic surgery training program. Dr. Baker has achieved national recognition for his involvement in cardiothoracic education. He has developed a comprehensive educational curriculum, including a highly structured simulation training program. In 2017, after 20 years at USC, Dr. Baker was appointed as chief of the division of cardiac surgery.
Benefits among health plans and employers vary. Please contact your health plan to verify benefits and network providers for specific products. It is important to note that not all of our providers participate in all of a health plan's products or networks.
