Dr. Dennis H. Baker, a specialist in Internal Medicine, has been providing care to patients in Santa Barbara since 1987.

Dr. Baker earned his B.A. degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1977 and an M.S. in Physiology from Georgetown University in 1989. He graduated from Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, with his M.D. degree in 1982 and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center in 1985. Dr. Baker is board certified in Internal Medicine. He holds an academic position at the USC School of Medicine as a member of the Clinical Faculty of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.. His professional interests include Preventive Medicine, HIV/AIDS, and Palliative and Hospice Care.

Prior to moving to Santa Barbara Dr. Baker served in the National Health Service Corps. He provided medical services to the uninsured and homeless in Venice, California. In more recent years he has committed time to caring for persons infected with HIV at the Public Health Clinic in Santa Barbara. He is committed to improving the care of patients at the end of life and utilizes these skills in his own practice as well as with the volunteer Hospice agencies in the community. He serves as Medical Director of the Palliative Care Consultation Service at Cottage Hospital.

Dr. Baker is active in a number of professional medical organizations. He is a member of the American College of Physicians. In 2006 he is Immediate Past-President and serves on the board of the Santa Barbara County Medical Society. He is a delegate to the California Medical Association. Additionally, his committee memberships at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital include the Medical Advisory Panel, the Bioethics Committee and the Informatics Council.

Dr. Baker and his wife, Stephanie, are devoted to raising their two daughters and their chocolate lab and a cat. When not caring for his patients, he enjoys hiking, swimming, scuba diving, and fly fishing. He lives in the Upper East area of Santa Barbara.