Celebrating Dr Mike Baker’s Distinguished Service

We are proud to congratulate Dr Mike Baker, who was awarded the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) President’s Medal for Distinguished Service to the College at its annual meeting in Christchurch over Labour Weekend. The medal recognises exceptional, sustained service, leadership and advocacy that has advanced the College and the professions of clinical radiology and radiation oncology. 

Over more than three decades, Mike has served RANZCR in numerous leadership, governance, examining and committee roles, while also making a lasting contribution to quality and safety, breast imaging, education and mentoring future radiologists. 

Throughout his career, Mike has been a strong advocate for high-quality radiology services and ensuring patients can access specialist imaging beyond New Zealand’s major metropolitan centres. He has also played an important role in developing the quality and accreditation standards that underpin radiology practice across New Zealand. 

Mike is committed to a high-quality public health system in NZ. He worked for many years as a consultant radiologist at Health NZ Waitemata, and he also continues to participate in BreastScreen Aotearoa. That same commitment has shaped Mike’s work in private practice, from his longstanding leadership within Canopy Imaging to establishing Auckland Breast Centre in 2008 and helping advance specialist breast imaging and multidisciplinary models of care in New Zealand.

Alongside these achievements, perhaps one of Mike’s most enduring contributions has been the knowledge and experience he has shared with the many radiologists he has taught and mentored throughout his career. 

This is a thoroughly deserved recognition of Mike’s remarkable contribution to radiology in New Zealand, and we are delighted to celebrate it with him.