Board of Health President --
Robert H. Baker, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Date Appointed: August 16, 1993
Term Expires: December 31, 2024
Dr. Robert H. Baker joined the Board of Health in 1993 as a physician representative, and is currently its president. He is an ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery (Eyelid and Orbital Surgery). He has operated a solo private practice, the New Rochelle Eye Institute, for more than 20 years.
As a physician and ophthalmologist, he has brought his knowledge of health care, public health, and biomedical research to the board, helping to address the diverse public health needs of the county.
Dr. Baker is an attending physician at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattanand at Montefiore New Rochelle. He also performs same-day surgery at Empire State Ambulatory Surgery Center in the Bronx.
He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a fellow of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons.
Active in his profession, he was twice elected president of the Mayo Clinic Fellows Association. He has published several articles in peer reviewed ophthalmic journals. He has presented papers and posters at professional meetings including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology.
Dr. Baker is the past president and an active member of the New Rochelle Lions Club. He has been awarded the Lions International President’s medal, the Lions International President’s Leadership medal, and the Lions Past District Governor’s Leadership medal. He is a Lions International Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, and a New York State Lions Uplinger Fellow. Dr. Baker is a Mason in the John Jay Lodge in White Plains. He also serves on the board of Beth El Synagogue Center of New Rochelle.
Dr. Baker is an alumnus of the United States Naval Academy, a graduate of Brandeis University, and a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he scored first in his class on the National Board examination. He completed his internship and residency in Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Dr. Baker and his wife Melissa live in Purchase, along with their son Aaron, daughter Sophie and Papillon dog, Cocobean.