Dr. John Baker, longtime professor of Heath Services Administration at UALR and UAMS, is retiring at the end of the academic semester.

Baker joined the UALR faculty in 1980 as the founding professor and chair of the graduate program in the Department of Health Services Administration and moved to UAMS when the program moved to the medical campus in 2005.

During his tenure, Baker taught courses in health systems, management of health care organizations, and health care quality management.  His research interests include the management of health care organizations, managed care, and cost containment.

“We were able to build excellent relationships with the health care community and with those organizations,” Baker said. “Our program produced excellent alumni now in very significant positions in the state and country.”

During his tenure, Baker remained in contact with his many graduates through the Master of Health Science Alumni Chapter of the UALR Alumni Association and is credited for developing a large and influential network of health care graduates across the country.

“His teaching and research in health management have helped produce strong health care leaders, many of whom are actively at work in Arkansas, making their health care institutions the best they can be.” said Leila Alston, vice president of network development at Baptist Health and a former president of the UALR Alumni Association.