Focus on Staff With Maggie Baker

As a program manager in the department of neurology, Maggie Baker has duties that include managing the residency program and serving as assistant to the department’s vice chair of education and clinical services, Brett Kissela, MD.  Here she talks about working at UC for the past 12 years.

What is a typical day for you?
"My 5-year-old son occasionally asks me what I did at work today, and it is not always an easy question to answer … what did I do today? On days when I just answer emails and take phone calls all day, it is hard to put into words what I have accomplished but this is the manner in which we complete our tasks. Each day, I review calendars and schedules to avoid conflicts, follow up on outstanding tasks and projects and assist the faculty I support in any way I can to make them more productive."
 
What do you enjoy about your job?
"I feel fortunate to work in the department of neurology as we have a collegial group of faculty, residents and fellows, nurses and staff, which makes for an enjoyable work environment. I also enjoy the variety of tasks my position offers. As residency program manager, we have a recruiting season that spans several months, a resident and fellow graduation celebration which is always a fun event and transitions in academic years with new and advancing residents. In my role as assistant to the vice chair of education and clinical services, I like the day-to-day scheduling, the project management and working with the division directors."
   
Before you came to UC, what was your background?
"I worked at Prudential Insurance for 10 years in claims processing, customer service and quality review. After the local Prudential office closed its doors, I went back to school and became Microsoft certified. I worked as an office manager for a small insurance brokerage company before joining UC Neurology in 2000."
 
Do you have any hobbies?
"I enjoy reading, gardening, jogging, traveling, listening to music and most importantly spending time with my family and friends."
 
Tell us something people might not know about you.
"The first time I flew in an airplane, I jumped out … I went skydiving!"