Dr. Hayden Baker
Dr. Hayden Baker is an attending orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, shoulder, hip, and knee surgery at the Endeavor Health Northshore Orthopaedic and Spine Institute in Skokie, Illinois. With a passion for helping athletes and active individuals, Dr. Baker focuses on cutting-edge, minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures and innovative open surgeries to treat a wide range of sports-related conditions.
As a former collegiate athlete, Dr. Baker brings a unique perspective to patient care. He was a walk-on football player at Northwestern University, where his dedication and perseverance earned him a full athletic scholarship, and was a four year letter winner. Academically, he excelled as a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, achievements that underscore his commitment to excellence on and off the field.
A productive researcher, Dr. Baker has published over 90 journal articles, presentations, and book chapters, and he has secured more than $75,000 in grant funding from organizations such as the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), the Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM), and the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (MAOA). Following his residency, he completed a prestigious sports medicine fellowship at the Number 1. ranked orthopedic hospital the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, where he refined his expertise in sports medicine and arthroscopic techniques.
Dr. Baker has served as a part of the medical teams for several athletic organizations, including the New York Football Giants, Saint John's University Men's and Women’s Basketball Teams, the Chicago Sky of the WNBA, and the University of Chicago Maroons Football Team. He currently is an orthopedic consultant for the Chicago Bears. His hands-on experience with athletes at all levels has deepened his understanding of high-performance athletics and informed his patient care philosophy.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Baker is passionate about advancing the field of orthopedic surgery through research, education, and mentorship. He is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care, helping individuals overcome injuries and return to the activities they love. Whether treating athletes, weekend warriors, or active individuals, Dr. Baker’s goal is to restore function, mobility, and performance.
Education
Undergraduate - Northwestern University, B.A.
Medical School - The University of Illinois College of Medicine, M.D. with Honors
Professional Training
Internship - The University of Chicago Medical Center
Residency - The University of Chicago Medical Center, Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship - Hospital for Special Surgery, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery
Team Coverage
The Chicago Bears, Orthopedic Consultant, 2025-2026
The New York Football Giants, Fellow, Assistant Team Physician, 2024-2025
Saint John’s University Women’s Basketball Team, Fellow, Assistant Team Physician, 2024-2025
Saint John’s University Men’s Basketball Team, Fellow, Assistant Team Physician, 2024-2025
The University of Chicago Men’s Football Team, Resident, Assistant Team Physician, 2020-2024
Awards
AOSSM Bruce Reider, MD Scholarship Recipient - 2025
The University of Chicago Chief Resident Leadership Award - 2024
The University of Chicago Best Resident Paper - 2024
AOA Emerging Leader - 2024
AOA Resident Leadership Forum, Nominee
The University of Chicago Runner-up Best Resident Paper - 2023
The University of Chicago Runner-up Best Resident Paper - 2022
AOA Honor Society - The University of Illinois College of Medicine
James Scholar Recipient - The University of Illinois College of Medicine
Big Ten Distinguished Scholar - 2014
Academic All Big Ten - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Affiliations
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES)
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
Editorial Work
Reviewer The American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM)
Reviewer The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (OJSM)
Reviewer The HSS Journal
Board Certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) - Board Eligible