NASHVILLE, Tennessee (September 24, 2021) – Ardent Health Services today announced the appointment of Donald Baker as president of the UT Health East Texas market effective September 20, 2021. He has been serving as interim in this role since March 2021.
Baker joined UT Health East Texas in 2019 as chief operating officer (COO) and chief financial officer (CFO). He has provided strong leadership during the pandemic and through the recent successful Epic activation. Baker has developed a close working relationship with our joint venture partner, University of Texas (UT), which has resulted in a stronger presence in the region. He has played an integral part in the University’s planning to develop a medical school in Tyler which will directly benefit the communities we serve.
"I am incredibly proud of the UT Health East Texas team who, along with our UT partners, heroically impact our East Texas region and communities in ways that are impossible to measure," shared Donald Baker, market president of UT Health East Texas. "We will continue to implement innovative patient access and experience strategies, and our joint work with UT's new medical school will ensure that the best clinical professionals will be living and working in our communities for generations to come."
Previously chief financial officer of Ardent’s Hillcrest HealthCare System in Oklahoma, Baker began his career at Hillcrest nearly 30 years ago. ““Donald’s leadership skills, financial expertise, and proven results in two Ardent markets made him the best choice to lead our East Texas market,” said Ardent President and Chief Executive Officer Marty Bonick. “We are excited about the opportunities to grow our presence and compete for patient loyalty as we expand our services throughout the region.”