Dr. Baker is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at LAC+USC. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Baker is the Vice Chair of Surgical Education and Program Director of the Cardiothoracic Training Program. Dr. Baker received his medical degree from Georgetown University where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed 7 years of General Surgery training at the University of Southern California which included 2 years in the Cardiothoracic research laboratory.

Dr. Baker completed three years of Cardiothoracic residency at the University of Southern California. He subsequently accepted a fellowship in pediatric cardiac surgery at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles under the direction of Dr. Vaughn Starnes. The following year Dr. Baker accepted a position in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Baker has an ongoing interest in pediatric and adult congenital cardiac disease, cardiac transplantation, coronary artery bypass grafting, and valve repair and replacement. He performs all types of complex adult cardiac surgery including minimally invasive valve surgery. He is a member of multiple prestigious national societies and has co-authored numerous papers and book chapters on of a variety of topics related to adult and pediatric cardiac surgery, transplantation, and surgical education. Dr. Baker is recognized as a national leader in cardiac surgical education and has received several teaching awards.

In 2011, Dr. Baker was appointed Chief of Cardiac Surgery at LAC+USC.

Information

Craig J. Baker, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Vice Chair of Surgery Education
Program Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery
CardioVascular Thoracic Institute
University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine

Offices

USC Healthcare Consultation II
1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 4300
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Phone: (323) 442-5849
Fax: (323) 442-5956
E-mail: cbaker@surgery.usc.edu

For appointments please call (323) 442-5849

Locations

• USC University Hospital
• Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
• USC Healthcare Consultation Center II

Areas of Treatment

• Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiac Transplantation
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
• Valve Repair and Replacement
• Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery

Specialties

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Thoracic Surgery

Sub-Specialties

• Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiac Transplantation
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
• Valve Repair and Replacement
• Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery
  

Education

• Tulane University College of Arts and Sciences, BS, 1991
• Georgetown University School of Medicine, MD, 1995

Internships

• University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1995 - 1996

Residencies

• General Surgery (USC School of Medicine), 1996 - 1998
• Research Fellow (USC School of Medicine), 1998 - 2000
• General Surgery (USC Department of Surgery), 2000 - 2001
• Chief Resident (USC Department of Surgery), 2000 - 2002
• Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery (USC) 2002 - 2005

Fellowships

• Congenital Fellow, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (CHLA), 2005 - 2006

Board Certification

• American Board of Surgery
• American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Professional Society Memberships

• Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 2007

Awards

• Tulane University College of Arts and Sciences: Phi Beta Kappa, 1991; Magna Cum Laude, 1991; Departmental Honors in Biology, 1991
• Georgetown University School of Medicine: Alpha Omega Alpha, 1995
• University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine: Recognition of Outstanding Teaching As A House Officer, Sept. 1999; Jeanine Chalabian, M.D. Most Innovative Teaching Award, 2002 - 2003

Languages

• English