“Wherever you go, just take care of patients the very best you can and treat them like you want to
be treated yourself.”
This is the advice Samuel R. Baker, MD offers prospective global health volunteers. With more than ten years of experience providing orthopaedic treatment and training overseas under the auspices of HVO, Dr. Baker has had many opportunities to put his own advice into practice. Last month, his dedication was recognized by his alma mater, the University of Washington School of Medicine, which selected Dr. Baker to receive its 2016 Alumni Humanitarian Award. UW chose to honor Dr. Baker for his international volunteerism, as well as his efforts domestically, where he chaired the committee to create a free clinic in Port Angeles, Washington.
“We honor Dr. Baker for his commitment to serving those in need and to providing outstanding care to all, not only in his community of Port Angeles, Wash., but across the globe in Bhutan,” the school said in a statement.
Since 2005, Dr. Baker, who is semi-retired, has traveled annually to Thimphu, Bhutan where he serves as a volunteer at HVO’s orthopaedics training project at the country’s National Referral Hospital. In a short video produced by the UW School of Medicine, Dr. Baker explains how his father first ignited his interest in humanitarian work, and discusses how his experiences volunteering at home and abroad have helped shape his outlook as a medical professional. To add to Dr. Baker’s already impressive resume, he is a repeat winner of the biennial HVO Photo Contest; a few samples of his work can be seen below. Congratulations, Dr. Baker!
