MS. PATRICIA BAKER was named president & CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) in March 2002 after serving as executive director since CT Health was established in July 1999. Immediately prior, Baker served as the national program director for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and as director of Connecticut government programs at Oxford Health Plans.  The long-time women’s health advocate also served as executive director of Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, associate executive director of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, and executive director of The Women’s Center in southeastern Wisconsin.
   The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) is the state’s largest independent, philanthropic organization dedicated to improving lives by changing health systems. Since it was established in July 1999, the foundation has supported innovative grant-making, public health policy research, technical assistance and convening to achieve its mission - to improve the health of the people of Connecticut. It has funded over $38 million in grants. The foundation focuses its resources on three program areas: improving access to children’s mental health services, reducing racial and ethnic health disparities and expanding access to and utilization of children's oral health services.