Miss Caroline Baker (MBBS,FRACS) is  a senior clinical leader and researcher recognised for exceptional distinction within the field of Breast Surgery. She obtained her MBBS from Melbourne University in 1985, then did her fellowship training through St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne gaining her FRACS in 1994 in General Surgery. She then spent the next 5 years in the UK, initially broadening her experience in all surgical areas and then subspecialising in the emerging field of breast surgery. Her mentor, Mr. Mark Kissin, Head of Breast Surgery at Royal Surrey County Hospital, conveyed his passion for the complete care of breast cancer patients within a multidisciplinary setting.  Mark was a pioneer in the technique of sentinel node biopsy and Caroline brought this back to Australia in 1998. Caroline had also spent 12 months at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, the UK's pre-eminent cancer hospital. There she worked with Professor Gerald Gui and Professor Ian Smith amongst others, learning the art of multidisciplinary care, participating in international multicentre research trials and developing an appreciation for the valuable contribution made to patient care by the breast care nurse. She also learnt breast reconstruction and reshaping skills.

On her return, Caroline led the Breast Unit at Austin Health for seven years and is currently Director of Breast Surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital and St Vincent’s BreastScreen, where she has overseen the redevelopment and re-invigoration of the St Vincent’s Breast Cancer service. 

Caroline is a foundation member and current President -Elect of BreastSurgANZ, the national breast surgeons' representative group within Australia. She is a long-term member of the Australasian Society of Breast Diseases, a founding member of Melbourne's Breast Surgeons Journal Club and has been a member of the Australian and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG, now known as Breast Cancer Trials), entering patients in international clinical trials since 1996. There is known to be a clearcut survival advantage to patients who are offered access to clinical trials, and we will continue to support this in the future at VBOC. She has been involved in several multisite projects, from basic science to novel treatment strategies such as neoadjuvant radiotherapy and the implementation of new technologies. Her passion for excellence in breast cancer care still burns bright! 

Caroline regularly teaches and lectures medical students from the University of Melbourne, junior doctors and registrars training through The University of Melbourne, lymphoedema practitioners, nurses and volunteers within the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.

Caroline is married to Paul, who thankfully is not a doctor but rather an architectural draftsman! She has a much-loved daughter, Alice.