Baker, Lenox D., Papers, 1930-1976

Collection Number: MC.0004
Lenox D. Baker Papers, 1930 - 1976

Access Restrictions

This collection may contain material with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals or IRB approval may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Duke University assumes no responsibility.

Copyright Notice

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Lenox D. Baker Papers, Medical Center Archives, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Acquired; Unknown

Sensitive Materials Statement

Collections may contain Medical Center Administrative records. These include records of the officers of the University, as defined in the Bylaws, the deans of schools and colleges, and departments, institutes, and other offices as designated by the President. For a period of twenty-five years from the origin of the material, permission in writing from the director of the office of record and the Medical Center Archivist is required for use. After twenty-five years, records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the Medical Center Archivist.

Collection may contain Records of the Board of Trustees of the Duke University Medical Center. These include minutes and supporting documentation of the Board, its Executive Committee, and standing and ad hoc committees, and reports, studies, and the like presented solely to the Board. Records which have been existence for at least fifty years are available for scholarly research with the permission of the Medical Center Archivist. Access to records which have been in existence for less than fifty years shall be granted only by special permission, in writing, of the Medical Center Board of Trustees.

The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings and Medical Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collectionsuch as folders or items.

Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the Archives' Digital Repository.

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
• American Orthopaedic Association.
• Duke University--Faculty.
• Duke University. Medical Center. Dept. of Surgery.
• Duke University. Medical Center. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Duke University. School of Medicine.
• Education, Medical
• Orthopedics

Dr. Lenox D. Baker was born in DeKalb, Tex., in 1902. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in 1929, and graduated as part of Duke University School of Medicine's first graduating class in 1932. Dr. Baker married Virginia Flowers, the daughter of the President of Duke University, and later returned to Duke in 1937 as an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. He came back to Duke in 1937 and became the chief of the Division of Orthopaedics,and established the Duke University Medical Center Orthopaedic and Affiliated Institutions Training Program in 1938. Dr. Baker helped establish the North Carolina Cerebral Palsy Hospital, which originally was on Duke-owned property but was built with state funds. He served as medical director at the Cerebral Palsy Hospital until his retirement in 1972. Prior to his retirement, the hospital was renamed the Lenox Baker Children's Hospital. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Baker was the team physician for Duke sports activities for thirty years and was inaugurated into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions.

Dr. Baker was involved in outlying state orthopaedic clinics and continued this involvement throughout his career. He was also active in numerous state and national organizations. He was a founder and president of the North Carolina Orthopaedic Association, and was active in the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy, for whom he also served as president. Dr. Baker was elected President of the American Orthopaedic Association in 1964.

Dr. Baker was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by Duke University and the Medical Center named him as an outstanding alumnus and teacher. He initiated the fund-raising for the Virginia Flowers Baker Distinguished Professor Chair, which was activated in 1988. After his retirement from Duke, Dr. Baker directed his energies toward the North Carolina State Health Department and became the secretary of the State Department of Human Resources.

Dr. Baker died in 1995.

The Lenox D. Baker papers contains Baker's administrative and personal papers and correspondence. Types of materials include photographs, correspondence, and newspaper clippings.

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