Champ L. Baker, Jr., MD, F.A.C.S., is a staff physician at The Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Medical College of Georgia.

    Dr. Baker is a Louisiana native who received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Louisiana State University. He completed his residency through Letterman Army Medical Center and Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. He then completed a sports medicine fellowship at The Hughston Clinic before joining the staff in Columbus. He served as president of The Hughston Clinic from 1994 until 2000.

    Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Baker holds memberships in many professional societies, such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Shoulder and Elbow Society; American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine; American Orthopaedic Association; International Society of Arthroscopy; Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine; and Arthroscopy Association of North America. He has held office in and served on various committees in these organizations. He has served as president of the Southern Orthopaedic Association, Georgia Orthopaedic Society, Georgia Shoulder and Elbow Society, and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances. He is a past member of the editorial review boards or has been a reviewer for the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, and Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.

    Dr. Baker has been the team physician for numerous local and regional athletic teams, including the University of Alabama, and he is currently the team physician for Columbus State University. He has also served on the U.S. Olympic Committee as a volunteer physician. He is past-president of the Board of Trustees of Columbus State University. Dr. Baker holds a teaching appointment at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, and at Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia.

    Dr. Bakers specialties include sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He has edited or co-edited several medical textbooks on topics ranging from sports medicine to upper extremity injuries. He has written and published numerous scientific articles in orthopaedic journals, such as the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the American Journal of Sports Medicine. The topics range from anterior cruciate ligament surgery to rotator cuff problems and lateral epicondylitis. He has chaired or coordinated instructional courses and made numerous scientific presentations at national and international meetings.

    Recently, Dr. Baker received the Distinguished Southern Orthopaedist Award from the Southern Orthopaedic Association and the Presidents Challenge Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association.

    Dr. Baker is married to Sue Anne Owens Baker, and they have three children: Champ III, also an orthopaedic surgeon, Kate, and Sarah.