Fellowship Program Director, Sports Medicine
Professor, Department of Surgical Sciences
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Contact Information
Patient Care Related:Biosketch
Robert Baker, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Division of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is employed with Western Michigan University Homer Strkyer M.D. School of Medicine as a Sports Medicine Physician. He is a graduate of Black Hawk College with an AS in Chemistry in 1983. He then received his BS from the University of Illinois in Chemistry and Athletic Training in 1985. He also received an MS in Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology also from the University of Illinois in 1987. He received his MD in 1994 and Doctorate (PhD) in 1995 in Exercise Physiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He did his Residency in Family Practice from Michigan State University-Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies in 1998. He completed a Fellowship in Sports Medicine from Michigan State University in 1999 and a Fellowship in Primary Care Faculty Development also from Michigan State University in 2003. He has been a Certified Athletic Trainer since 1986. Currently, Dr. Baker is the Program Director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In addition, he is the team physician for Western Michigan University as well as Professor of Clinical Medicine at Michigan State University. Dr. Baker has presented locally, regionally and national on various topics in Sports Medicine. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on these topics as well. He has practiced as a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician since 1999. He sees patients and athletes of all ages. His particular areas of interest include: exercise-induced asthma, athletes with diabetes and other chronic diseases, back pain in adolescent and adult athletes, and non-surgical orthopedic injuries in athletes.
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Board Certification
- American Board of Family Medicine (Family Medicine)
- American Board of Family Medicine (Sports Medicine)
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Education and Training
- Fellowship 2003, Primary Care Faculty Development, Michigan State University
- Fellowship 1999, Sports Medicine, Michigan State University
- Residency 1998, Family Practice, Michigan State University-Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies
- PhD 1995, Exercise Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- MD 1994, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- MS 1987, Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- BS 1985, Chemistry and Athletic Training, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- AS 1983, Chemistry, East Campus, Black Hawk College
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Research
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
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Publications
{} Chronic Pain A Practice of Anesthesia for Infants and Children. 2019:1063-1075.e2.
Moriarty C., Baker R. A Pain in the Psoas: Groin Injury in a Collegiate Football Athlete Sports Health. 2016;8(6):568-572.
Baker R. Fracture, RIB The 5-Minute Sports Medicine Consult: Second Edition. 2012
Baker R.J. Ureteral, bladder, and urethral trauma The 5-Minute Sports Medicine Consult: Second Edition. 2012
Giebel S., Kothari R., Koestner A., Mohney G., Baker R. Factors influencing emergency medicine physicians' management of sports-related concussions: A community-wide study Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2011;41(6):649-654.
Dykstra J.H., Hill H.M., Miller M.G., Cheatham C.C., Michael T.J., Baker R.J. Comparisons of cubed ice, crushed ice, and wetted ice on intramuscular and surface temperature changes Journal of Athletic Training. 2009;44(2):136-141.
Miller M., Longoria J., Cheatham C., Baker R., Michael T. Intramuscular temperature differences between the mid-point and peripheral effective radiating area with ultrasound Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2008;7(2):286-291.
Patel D.R., Baker R.J. Musculoskeletal Injuries in Sports Primary Care - Clinics in Office Practice. 2006;33:545-579.
Baker R.J., Patel D. Lower back pain in the athlete: Common conditions and treatment Primary Care - Clinics in Office Practice. 2005;32:201-229.
Miller M.G., Weiler J.M., Baker R., Collins J., D'Alonzo G. National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Management of asthma in athletes Journal of Athletic Training. 2005;40(3):224-245.
Patel D., Dean C., Baker R. The hand in sports: An update on the clinical anatomy and physical examination Primary Care - Clinics in Office Practice. 2005;32:71-89.
Patel D.R., Shivdasani V., Baker R.J. Management of sport-related concussion in young athletes Sports Medicine. 2005;35:671-684.
Baker R.J., Patel D.R. Sports related mild traumatic brain injury in adolescents Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2000;67:317-321.