Michael Baker (Cancer researcher)
Encyclopedia
Michael Allen Baker, CM
, O.Ont
(born January 24, 1943) is a Canadian
physician, academic, and cancer researcher. He is Charles H. Hollenberg
Chair in Medicine, Physician-in-Chief, University Health Network
and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto
. His research has helped to improve the understanding of human leukemia
and other cancers.
Born in Toronto
, Ontario
, Baker received his M.D. from the University of Toronto
in 1966. He received his diploma from the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1967 and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
specializing in Hematology
and Internal Medicine
. In 1982, he joined the University of Toronto as a Professor of Medicine. In 1992, he was made Physician-in-Chief of the Toronto General Hospital
.
He was President of the National Cancer Institute of Canada for 3 years and a Board member of the Canadian Cancer Society
for 5 years. In 2008, he was appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Executive Lead - Patient Safety, to oversee the government's patient safety agenda.
"for his contributions to health care in Canada, notably for his work in developing an innovative, integrated medical care program for cancer patients and for his leadership in the area of infectious disease control". In 2009, he was made a member of the Order of Ontario
in recognition for being "a leading researcher whose work has led to a better understanding of leukemia and other cancers". In 2006, he was made a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, O.Ont
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
(born January 24, 1943) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
physician, academic, and cancer researcher. He is Charles H. Hollenberg
Charles Hollenberg
Charles H. Hollenberg, was a Canadian physician, educator and researcher.Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he received a Bachelor of Science in 1950 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1955 from the University of Manitoba. In 1960, he joined the Department of Medicine at McGill University...
Chair in Medicine, Physician-in-Chief, University Health Network
University Health Network
University Health Network is a medical centre that comprises three teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine....
and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. His research has helped to improve the understanding of human leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
and other cancers.
Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Baker received his M.D. from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1966. He received his diploma from the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1967 and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada ' , French: Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada, is a national, private, nonprofit organization established in 1929 by a special Act of Parliament to oversee the medical education of specialists in Canada...
specializing in Hematology
Hematology
Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases...
and Internal Medicine
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
. In 1982, he joined the University of Toronto as a Professor of Medicine. In 1992, he was made Physician-in-Chief of the Toronto General Hospital
Toronto General Hospital
The Toronto General Hospital , is a part of the University Health Network, and a major teaching hospital in downtown Toronto, Ontario. It is located in the Discovery District, directly north of the Hospital for Sick Children, across Gerrard Street West, and east of Princess Margaret Hospital and...
.
He was President of the National Cancer Institute of Canada for 3 years and a Board member of the Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based charitable organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of those living with the disease....
for 5 years. In 2008, he was appointed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for administering the health care system and providing services to the province of Ontario...
Executive Lead - Patient Safety, to oversee the government's patient safety agenda.
Honours
In 2008, he was made a Member of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his contributions to health care in Canada, notably for his work in developing an innovative, integrated medical care program for cancer patients and for his leadership in the area of infectious disease control". In 2009, he was made a member of the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
in recognition for being "a leading researcher whose work has led to a better understanding of leukemia and other cancers". In 2006, he was made a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada...
and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
.