Jeffrey Baker, MD, PhD, has been named director of the Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities & History of Medicine. Founded in 1999 as the Center for the Study of Medical Ethics and Humanities, the center brings together scholars and students who use it as a home for research, study and service in ethics, medical humanities, and the history of medicine. In 2006, the center was renamed in honor of Dr. Josiah C. Trent, a noted Duke surgeon and medical historian.
Dr. Baker is a professor of Pediatrics and History. He has served as director of the Trent Center’s Program in the History of Medicine since 2006. Dr. Baker holds doctoral degrees in medicine and history from Duke University. He completed pediatric training and served as chief resident at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. His historical scholarship has included books on the history of neonatology and American pediatrics, as well as articles on vaccine controversies and autism. He has taught history of medicine at every level of the School of Medicine curriculum, as well as to undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Baker has practiced for over 25 years as a general pediatrician in Duke Children’s Primary Care, with a focus on children with autism and special needs.