Carla Baker, the project director of the Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium (MBCC), has been named the new chief operating officer of Common Table Health Alliance, a nonprofit health and healthcare improvement collaborative.
Founded in 2000, Common Table Health Alliance (CTHA) serves as a neutral convener of community organizations seeking to improve community health through local efforts to “identify health disparities, improve healthcare quality, activate and engage healthcare consumers, increase health literacy and align resources to address the area’s most critical heath issues.”
Baker joined the organization in 2011 and has served in various capacities. She is widely recognized for her MBCC role, spearheading collaboration between the various breast cancer organizations in Shelby County and creating awareness and education events for patients, providers, survivors and caregivers to help eliminate healthcare disparities and achieve health equity.
Baker has also helped publish various breast cancer resources such as the MBCC Pink Care Directory, MBCC Membership Profile Directory and Breast Cancer 901: The Status of Breast Health Care in the Memphis Metropolitan Region. She will continue in that capacity and in her new role as COO, she is responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of CTHA and will assist in executing plans created by the CEO.
CTHA Board Chair Bobby Peters called Baker the obvious choice.
“Mrs. Carla Baker has been involved with the Common Table for almost a decade. Her unique experience and depth of knowledge exceed all the requirements for this position. Her role as COO is a strategic step forward for CTHA as we continue to build a dynamic team.”
Baker sees her promotion to COO as an extension of the work she has been able to be a part of since she joined CTHA.
“It is the duty of every healthcare professional to assist their community to obtain health equity and alleviate healthcare disparities. Everyone living in Shelby County has the right to adequate and quality healthcare. I’m proud of the work CTHA has done and will continue to work hard to achieve those goals,” she said.
A registered nurse, Baker was previously employed by Baptist Memorial Hospital and Heritage Nursing Facility before transitioning into roles in administration and nursing education.
(For more information about Common Table Health Alliance, visit commontablehealth.org.)
