FOUNDER: Roy M. Baker, M.D., FA.C.C. 1925-1996

Dr. Roy Baker received his medical training at Emory University in Atlanta, completing his residency at Bellevue Hospital, New York. He received his cardiology training (pediatric and adult) at John Hopkins in Baltimore. He then served his country for two years in the U.S. Air Force as Captain and Chief of Cardiology at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, NY.

He began his private practice in Jacksonville in 1953 as Florida's first pediatric heart physician. In 1971 his practice grew with the addition of his first cardiology partner, Dr. Kay E. Gilmour. In 1983 he was extremely pleased to welcome his son, Dr. Scott B. Baker, into the practice as an interventional cardiologist. Dr. A. Allen Seals joined the group in 1986, bringing his interest in cardiovascular research to the Jacksonville area.

Dr. Baker's death in 1996 cut short his vision for the future of medicine in Jacksonville. In spite of that, the list of his accomplishments and contributions to the Jacksonville community, and the medical community at large, is enormous. The following list is only a small sample:

Co-founder- Jacksonville Rescue Squad. With Public Safety Director John Waters and Chief Dowling of the Jacksonville Fire Department, they pioneered a rescue service from which the rest of the world has patterned their rescue systems. He served as Honorary Fire Surgeon for more than 20 years.
Honored in Washington, D.C. for incorporating Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) into the American Red Cross Center.
Served as Chairman of the Emergency Medical Service Committee of the American Medical Association (AMA) from 1968-1981.
Director and Chairman of the Northeast Florida Heart Association - 1970.
Co-Chairman, Governor's Advisory Committee on Emergency Medical Services from 1973-1976.
Co-founder, and later Trustee and Director, of Memorial Medical Center- 1981-1985.
Founder's Award, Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), for leadership in the formation of the first state chapter of the ACC.
Co-founder of "Dreams Come True".
Chairman of the Board - University Medical Center; the urban campus of the University of Florida medical school and home to the Roy M. Baker M.D. Health Science Center.

His enthusiasm for life fueled his vision for quality of life for all patients. His unselfish leadership continues to be an inspiration and a driving force for the standard of care for Baker - Gilmour Cardiovascular.

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FOUNDER: Roy M. Baker, M.D., FA.C.C. 1925-1996