Russel L. Baker papers

Collection

Identifier: 2011-002

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Russel L. Baker Papers consist primarily of materials created or used by Dr. Baker, spanning the years 1941-1976. The majority of the materials relate to gastroenterology and gastrointestinal health. Included in the papers are several pages of handwritten notes, medical organization meeting notices addressed to Baker, a magazine article and newsletter, a workbook from the Philadelphia Gastrointestinal Group workshop containing Baker's handwritten notes and interspersed journal articles, additional copies of journal articles on gastroenterology, and a bound volume of autopsy reports compiled by Baker during his residency at Boston City Hospital. Also included is a small assortment of glass and plastic syringes and hypodermic needles.

Dates

Creation: 1941-1976

Creator

Baker, Russel L. (Person)

Restrictions on Access

No restrictions on access.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The OHSU Historical Collections & Archives is the owner of the materials and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from OHSU HC&A before any reproduction use. OHSU HC&A does not hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In many cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Biography-History

Russel L. Baker was born in Gaston, Oregon in the early 20th century, although the exact year is currently unknown. He studied medicine first at the University of Oregon Medical School where he completed internships at Multnomah County Hospital and Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children. This was followed by education at the Harvard Graduate School where he worked for the Boston City and Massachusetts General Hospitals prior to World War II. During the war, he served on the medical staff of the 7th General Hospital in the United Kingdom as well as the Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

Following the war, Dr. Baker served on the faculty of the UOMS Hematology and Neurology Departments as Clinical Associate for 23 years. He specialized in neurology, studying and writing about Hodgkin’s disease and arteriosclerosis. Perhaps most well-known in the medical community for his knowledge of the muscular disease myasthenia gravis, he was appointed as Medical Director of the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1964, the first clinic in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to treating the disease. Dr. Baker was also involved in organizational leadership, serving on the board of the Multnomah County Medical Society and Oregon Physicians’ Service. According to an article about him in the Fall 1969 edition of the Oregon Physicians’ Newsletter, he was also very skilled on the golf course.

Dr. Baker’s death date is also currently unknown.

[Biographical information sources, located in the archives’ Biographical Files:

Oregon Physicians’ Service. "Scalpel, Gavel and Putter- Each Effective for Dr. Baker.” Physicians’ Newsletter, Fall 1969.

“First Northwest Clinic To Treat Rare Muscle Disease Opens at Good Samaritan Hospital.” The Oregonian, Monday August 3, 1964.]

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 half-sized document box, 1 small oversized box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Russel L. Baker, M.D., was a medical instructor at the University of Oregon Medical School and practicing physician in Oregon specializing in neurology. His papers span the years 1941-1976, and consist primarily of materials related to gastroenterology and gastrointestinal health created or used by Baker. Included are handwritten notes, medical organization meeting notices, medical journal articles, workshop materials, autopsy reports, other non-medical publications, and medical implements.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated to the archives by Russel L. Baker's daughter, Sarah Monro. The materials were accessioned by Archivist Karen Peterson on February 23, 2011.