William H. Baker, M.D., a past president of the American Association for Vascular Surgery (AAVS) and a longtime contributor to the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), died Dec. 1. He was 88.
Baker, an Illinois native, was widely regarded as a pioneer in vascular surgery and an influential voice within SVS. He served as president of the AAVS in 1998, before its merger with SVS in 2003, and was an active member of the SVS History Project Work Group, helping preserve the specialty’s legacy.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Knox College and his medical degree from the University of Chicago. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, he completed a vascular fellowship under Jack Wylie, MD, at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Baker joined Loyola University Medical Center in 1976, where he served as chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery and directed multiple training programs. Known as a “master carotid surgeon,” he published more than 150 manuscripts and book chapters and led six surgical societies, including the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society (MVSS) and the Central Surgical Association (CSA).
In addition to his clinical and academic achievements, Baker was deeply committed to education and mentorship, values that aligned closely with SVS’s mission. His work with the SVS History Project underscored his dedication to honoring the specialty’s roots.
Memorial donations may be made to the Knox College Baker-Velde Student Research Fund at givecampus.com/campaigns/73724/donations/new.