Dr. Bobby Baker obtained his chemical engineering degree and doctorate of medicine at the University of Louisville. He then specialized in Radiation Oncology and attended the University of Florida and completed his training as Chief Resident of Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
He was asked to design and construct his first cancer center in Ashland, KY in 1985 and proceeded to open the Tri-State Regional Cancer Center. A few years later, he established the Cancer Center of Charleston, WV. In 1993, he opened the Pacific Cancer Institute in Maui, Hawaii and served as the President and Medical Director until 2015, when he sold the business and moved to Charleston, where his wife, Julie, had been on staff of MUSC in Blood Banking years prior.
Of note, he opened the Cancer Institute of Guam in 1995 and operated it approximately 7 years before it was destroyed by Typhoon Pongsona. Because of building cancer centers around the globe, he became self-taught in developing and managing commercial real estate. Thus, starting Baker-Investments in Charleston which focuses on Triple Net leasing and other commercial ventures.
Dr. Baker has always enjoyed leadership roles and served as the Chief of Staff of Maui Memorial Medical Center, and chaired several other committees. He also has a great interest in the non-profit sector and has served on the board of organizations like; Hospice, The American Cancer Society, The United Way, Boy Scouts of America as President, Board of Trustees for Seabury Hall College Preparatory School for 10 years, and was the founder of the Pacific Cancer Foundation (PCF) which is in its 12th year of providing services to underprivileged cancer patients such as transportation, food, counseling, access to specialists and other services not covered by insurance. PCF went from a mere idea to a successful organization with an annual operating budget of over half a million dollars.
One of his most enjoyable times was becoming a Scout Master for 5 years and seeing both of his sons earn their Eagle Scout rank. He is a strong believer in giving back to his community. He has also been recognized for giving back to his medical profession by being inducted as a Fellow in both the American College of Radiology and the American College of Radiation Oncology.
John has held a range of executive positions all with focus on technology and human services since the late 70’s. He has held leadership positions at Hewlett-Packard, Lockheed, United Healthcare and most recently Passport Health Plan, a non profit community health plan based in Kentucky serving the most vulnerable populations.
John has extensive experience in health, human service and education. He has actively been involved with child welfare, child support, brought innovative activity based school initiatives to all Kentucky elementary schools - GoNoodle program, United Way, Urban League and other community and national organizations.
He has served on a number of boards: American Heart Foundation, National Autism Board, Healthy Heart Foundation, Louisville Go Bold program to improve the heath and education in vulnerable populations, Zipari Social determinants of Health Advisory Group and others.
His last initiative before retiring from Passport Health Plan was to design and build a wellness campus located in West Louisville a community in need but without needed services. The campus offered health care, quality food, activities, transportation, education, workforce training, housing , banking services and others on a localized basis. Campus partners included Urban League, United Way, YMCA, local banks and clinics, Walmart, vocational training centers, local housing developers, University of Louisville School of Public Health, Seven Counties Behavior Health and others.
John believes “enabling” people by addressing their specific gaps to success is a critical need we must address. Whether it’s mobility, health, mentoring, computers or other gaps we should help address those in need to address their barriers to success.
John was born in Chicago, Illinois and spent a good portion of his life in Louisville, Kentucky. He and his wife Miriam moved to their forever home here on Seabrook Island, South Carolina five years ago. They have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren.
Vanessa Denney is the founding Principal at Early College High School, providing equitable college access to students; working to change the trajectory of students’ lives and positively impact the Charleston community. Passionate about serving students from Title I schools, she has spent the past 17 years teaching in and leading in schools facing some of the greatest challenges in Charleston County, SC. In the two years that ECHS has been open, Vanessa has worked with a talented group of teachers and together, they have demonstrated that student growth and academic achievement are possible.
Vanessa holds a B.S. from the College of Charleston, an M.Ed. from The Citadel, and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University.
In 2010, Jeff was named as a Charleston Regional Business Journal Forty Under 40 recipient in recognition of both his success running a software company and his community involvement supporting a variety of causes. Prior to founding Omatic Software in 2003, Jeff was a software developer for Blackbaud where he worked on core products and helped grow the customizations department. Jeff and his wife Anna live in Charleston with their two children.est growing businesses.
In 2010, Jeff was named as a Charleston Regional Business Journal Forty Under 40 recipient in recognition of both his success running a software company and his community involvement supporting a variety of causes. Prior to founding Omatic Software in 2003, Jeff was a software developer for Blackbaud where he worked on core products and helped grow the customizations department. Jeff and his wife Anna live in Charleston with their two children.
As owner of the Staubes Law Firm, Chris Staubes assists businesses across the region with their legal needs. Chris served on the Charleston County School Board from 2014 until 2018, and is the founder and President Emeritus of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce. Chris has been the President for the Coastal Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America since late 2019.
Chris also serves on various foundation boards and economic development committees in support of his community. Charleston Business Magazine has named Chris to their 2017 Legal Elite of the Lowcountry for his work in Corporate law and Mergers and Acquisitions. In 2019 the Charleston Leaders organization recognized Chris at their Annual Gala with the William Brian Moody Leader award for his exemplary track record of leadership to the Charleston community.
Chris was awarded the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2019 for his contributions at the local, state, and regional level. In 2012, Chris participated in The Riley Institute® at Furman University, and was named a Riley Institute Diversity Fellow. In 2001, Chris was named to the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 for his public and community service. Chris has an AV® Preeminent™rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2010 in the field of Corporate Law.
Duncan has almost of decade of consulting experience focusing on technology in healthcare. To date, Duncan has worked extensively with health systems, physicians groups, and healthcare practices that serve low income communities. His work is to enable healthcare providers to deliver the best quality care to those who need it most.
Throughout his career, clients look to Duncan to help solve complex strategic, operational & technological challenges. Duncan started his career with AllCovered and then Netgain Technology where he led the consulting efforts focused on Healthcare I.T. & Compliance. He led the way developing and executing strategic technology projects ranging from massive I.T. overhauls, migrations & refreshes, to workflow solutions & ensuring compliance is a top priority.
It is his firm belief that we can improve outcomes through technology. The right tools with the right guidance give us insights that we never thought possible.
Duncan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, splitting time between the city & the West Coast of Michigan. Duncan, his wife Hilary and their two dogs moved to Charleston, South Carolina two years ago.
Janice obtained her nursing degree from the University of Hawaii, Maui College. Immediately upon graduation, she started her 20-year career in radiation oncology nursing at the Pacific Cancer Institute under the tutelage and direction of Dr. Bobby Baker. Her nephew was diagnosed with cancer at 2 years of age, and she decided that she wanted to specialize in oncology and give back to her community in his memory.
Janice and family members formed an annual spear fishing tournament each year on Father’s Day in remembrance of her nephew. All the proceeds from this event are donated to the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation and honoring a child from Maui, who was diagnosed with cancer. Janice said, “it is our way of respecting our nephew and emphasizing childhood cancer awareness publicly.”
Computers with a Cause is delighted to have Janice join us as an advisory board member and representative of Maui, Hawaii, where Dr. Baker established the Pacific Cancer Institute in 1993 and lived for 25 years. Janice asked if our organization would consider donating computers to deserving students and organizations from Maui in the future and graciously agreed to serve on our board of advisors.
“Her love of children and experience with computer technology and electronic medical records offer a broadened area of expertise that will serve our organization well”, said Baker.
With your help we can give more students the chance to be a part of the digital age.