Dr. Helen Baker is the Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, where she is also a Clinical Associate Professor, BSN Junior Program Director, and the Global and Community Engagement Coordinator and Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Coordinator within the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility. Dr. Baker’s extensive career includes work as a nurse in research at the Atlanta VA Medical Center and in inpatient oncology at Oregon Health & Science University. She served in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa, as a Health Volunteer in 2007-2009 and as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with Peace Corps Response in 2015-2016. 

Dr. Baker holds a PhD and MS in Nursing, and Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate from Emory University, an MSc in Demography and Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a Professional Diploma in Tropical Nursing from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, a BSN with honors from Johns Hopkins University, and a BA in Anthropology from Macalester College.

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• Phan, Q. T., Chance-Revels, R., Clark-Youngblood, M., Baker, H., & Kimble, L. P. (2025). Integrating Disease Investigation Escape Room and Preparedness Simulation into Nursing Education. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 19, e31. doi:10.1017/dmp.2025.28
• Giordano, N.A., Phan, Q., Kimble, L., Chicas, R., Brasher, S., Wiltse Nicely, K., Sheridan, T., Starks, S., Ferranti, E., Moore, E., Clement, D., Weston, J., Febres-Cordero, S., Chance-Revels, R., Woods, E., Baker, H. Muirhead, L., Stapel-Wax, J., Jones, K., Swan, B. (2024). A Framework to Grow, Bolster, and Diversify the Public Health and Nursing Workforce. Journal of Professional Nursing, 53, 25–34. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.04.006
• Baker, H., McGee, B., Rochat, R., Hepburn, K., Hennink, M., & Sibley, L. (2022). Factors associated with postpartum contraception in Togo, West Africa. African Journal of Reproductive Health 26(2), 26-37. DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2022/v26i2.3
• Shere, H., Weijer, L., Dashnow, H., Moreno, L. E., Foxworthy Scott, S., & Baker, H. (2021). Chronic Lactation Insufficiency Is a Public Health Issue: Commentary on "We Need Patient-Centered Research in Breastfeeding Medicine" by Stuebe. Breastfeed Med 2021;16:349-350. Breastfeeding medicine: the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 16(12), 933–934. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0202
• Moreland, P., Rose, W., Uwimana, P., Male, M., Sego, R., Nankudwa, E., Byiringiro, S., Nsereko, E., Uwiringiyimana, E., Nyiringango, G., Baker, H., Ntizimira, C. (2021) Palliative and end-of-life care self-perceived competencies of physicians and nurses in Rwanda. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing 23(6).
• Pfeiffer, K., Baker, H., & Mascorro, A. (2021). Service-Learning in a Pandemic: The Transition to Virtual Engagement. Journal of Nursing Education, 60(6), 362-363.
• Davis, S. M., Baker, H., Gross, J. M., Leslie, S. L., Chasokela, C., Samuelson, J., & Toledo, C. (2021). The Role of Nurses and Midwives in Expanding and Sustaining Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Services for HIV Prevention: A Systematic and Policy Review. The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC, 32(1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000222
• Baker, H., Pfeiffer, K., Field, M., Nasatir-Hilty, S., Doiev, J., Worland, B. J., Clark-Youngblood, M., Harrell, K., & Mascorro, A. (2021). A Substance Use Disorder Service-Learning Immersion Experience for Prelicensure Nursing Students. Nurse educator, 46(5), 273–275. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000952
• Baker, H. F., Moreland, P. J., Thompson, L. M., Morgan Clark-Youngblood, E., Solell-Knepler, P., Palmietto, N. L., & Gossett, N. A. (2019). Building empathy and professional skills in global health nursing through theatre monologues. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(11), 653-656. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.library.emory.edu/10.3928/01484834-20191021-07
• Baker, H., Rochat, R., Hepburn, K., Hennink, M., Thiam, M., Guede, C., Amegan, E., Fombo, K., Ogunbiyi, B., & Sibley, L. (2019). “‘It is a question of determination’: a case study of monitoring and evaluation of integrated family planning services in urban areas of Togo [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Gates Open Research 2019, 3:1451
• (https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.12944.1)
• Baker, H., Fried, A., Cloete, A., Sigel, C., Miranda, D., Guillen, J., Rochat, R., & Siegler, A. (2018) "Give what the people want": A situational analysis of condom distribution and a feasibility study of user-friendly condoms in Cape Town, South Africa. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 29(6):887-901.

Dr. Helen Baker is committed to fostering an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that prepares future nurses and healthcare leaders to think critically, act ethically, and engage meaningfully in global and community health. With extensive experience in nursing education, she integrates experiential learning, service-learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration into her teaching.

Her approach emphasizes real-world applications, from guiding students in immersive global health experiences to facilitating discussions on bioethics and social responsibility. She believes that effective nursing education extends beyond the classroom—through hands-on community engagement, innovative pedagogical strategies, and mentorship that nurtures students' professional growth.

Dr. Baker is dedicated to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to drive meaningful change in healthcare, whether through clinical excellence, research, or policy advocacy.

Dr. Helen Baker’s research focuses on global health, reproductive health, and health systems strengthening. With a background in nursing, demography, and public health, her work explores the integration of family planning into postpartum and postabortion care, maternal and child health, and the role of nursing in global healthcare delivery. She has led and collaborated on interdisciplinary studies addressing health disparities, contraceptive access, and innovative teaching methods in nursing education. Passionate about community engagement, Dr. Baker’s research informs policies and interventions that enhance healthcare access and equity both locally and globally.

• 2025 Innovation in Teaching Award, Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE)
• 2023-2024 Academic Program Director Leadership Academy, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
• 2023 CHHAP Teaching Fellow, Center for Healthcare History and Policy, Emory University
• 2022 Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, Office of the Provost, Emory University
• 2021 Award of Excellence in Collaboration, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
• 2019, 2020, 2021 High Five Award for Teaching Evaluations, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
• 2020 Award of Excellence in Social Responsibility, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
• 2018 Award of Excellence, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
• 2018 IDN Thought Leadership Fellow, Institute for Developing Nations, Emory University
• 2018 Excellence in Doctorate Nursing Award – Silver Bowl Award, The Nurses’ Alumni Association, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
• 2014-2016 Jonas Scholar, Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare
• 2012-2017 Woodruff Fellow, Laney Graduate School, Emory University
• 2010 Joan Sutton Award for Clinical Excellence and Interdisciplinary Practice, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing