Dr. Baker shares how the University supports students, serves communities, and plans to expand veterinary education in Illinois
Midwestern University President and CEO Joshua Baker, O.D., joined host John Williams on WGN Radio AM 720’s “Noon Business Lunch” on Thursday, October 16, to discuss the University’s legacy, mission, and exciting new developments.
Dr. Joshua Baker on air with John Williams of WGN Radio.
Midwestern University President and CEO, Joshua Baker, O.D., participated in a live interview with WGN Radio to discuss the University’s mission and new initiatives.
Speaking live from the Chicago studio, Dr. Baker shared how Midwestern’s “student-first mentality” guides every decision across its two campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois, and Glendale, Arizona. “We really want to create this environment where every decision we make, everything we think about, we’re considering how it’s impacting our students and how it’s making their lives better and improving their success,” Dr. Baker said.
During the interview, Dr. Baker also highlighted the University’s community clinics, where students train under licensed professionals to deliver innovative, compassionate care to patients from the community. “It might take us a little bit longer,” he explained, “because the students are learning. But that’s part of what makes the experience special. Our providers take the time to listen and understand each patient.” Serving thousands of patients each year, the Midwestern Clinics in Downers Grove offer affordable, patient-centered care in dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and primary care.
Looking to the future, Dr. Baker shared his enthusiasm for the University’s newest venture, the proposed Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine, currently under development in Illinois. The new veterinary program will include a state-of-the-art animal hospital in Downers Grove, representing a $280 million investment in students, facilities, and research. “It’s pretty exciting,” Dr. Baker said. “This will be the first veterinary program in the Chicagoland area, and once completed, it will house the largest animal hospital in North America.”
Listen to the full interview on WGN Radio.
About Midwestern University
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit graduate and postgraduate institution specializing in the health sciences. The University serves more than 6,800 students across two campuses. The 105-acre Downers Grove Campus in Illinois includes seven colleges: the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove; the College of Health Sciences–Downers Grove Campus; the College of Dental Medicine–Illinois; the Chicago College of Optometry; the Proposed College of Veterinary Medicine–Illinois; and the College of Graduate Studies. The University also operates an 11-acre clinical campus that includes the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic and the future Companion Animal Clinic. The 134-acre Glendale Campus in Arizona includes eight colleges: the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Glendale; the College of Health Sciences–Glendale Campus; the College of Dental Medicine–Arizona; the Arizona College of Optometry; the College of Veterinary Medicine-Arizona; the College of Graduate Studies; and the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. The campus also features five community clinics on a 40-acre clinical campus: the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic, Dental Institute, Eye Institute, Animal Health Institute, and Therapy Institute.
Midwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit https://www.midwestern.edu or call (630) 515-7333. To learn more about Midwestern University Clinics, visit https://www.mwuclinics.com.