Meet Josh Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Josh Baker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Josh, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The Institute for AI Governance in Healthcare, or IAIGH, exists to protect patients and the public as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in healthcare. AI is advancing faster than regulation and oversight, and without clear governance, healthcare organizations are often forced to rely on AI vendors to self-assert that their systems are safe, effective, and fair. That approach leaves institutions, clinicians, and patients exposed to risk.

IAIGH addresses this by developing and maintaining the Healthcare AI Governance Standard, or HAIGS. HAIGS empowers healthcare institutions to take control of AI governance on their own turf. Instead of trusting vendor claims alone, organizations are given a clear framework to independently evaluate, oversee, and monitor AI systems throughout their lifecycle. This shifts accountability where it belongs, with the healthcare institution responsible for patient care.

By providing a healthcare-specific governance standard, IAIGH helps organizations verify that AI systems are used responsibly, applied consistently across patient populations, and governed transparently. This reduces fragmentation, strengthens public confidence, and ensures that AI adoption benefits patients rather than placing them at risk.

At a broader level, IAIGH helps the world by establishing trust in healthcare AI. It enables institutions to adopt innovation without surrendering oversight, supports clinicians with responsible governance, and reassures the public that AI in healthcare is being managed with safety, ethics, and accountability as first principles.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has been shaped by working at the intersection of healthcare operations, medical imaging, and technology. I started in medical practice management and imaging informatics, spending years inside healthcare organizations dealing with real world constraints like workflow complexity, regulatory pressure, and patient safety. That experience gave me a practical understanding of how healthcare actually operates, not how it is described in theory.

Alongside that work, I became deeply involved in medical imaging informatics, where I authored technical guides and educational materials focused on imaging workflows, interoperability, and system integration. That work required translating complex technical concepts into guidance clinicians and organizations could actually use, which still shapes how I approach standards and governance today.

Over time, my work expanded into FDA regulatory consulting for medical devices, particularly software based systems. I have supported manufacturers through premarket clearance strategy and submissions, working closely with engineering, quality, and clinical teams to align evidence with regulatory expectations. That experience reinforced the importance of rigor, documentation, and accountability when technology directly impacts patient care.

What ultimately set the direction for my current work was watching healthcare organizations struggle with AI adoption. Emerging AI governance frameworks like ISO 42001 and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework provide important guidance, but they are not healthcare specific. They do not address clinical workflows, patient transparency, or how AI affects real patient populations. That gap is what led me to develop the Healthcare AI Governance Standard, or HAIGS. HAIGS does not compete with those frameworks. It complements them by adding a clinical centric layer that healthcare organizations can apply directly in patient care environments.

None of this was easy. Much of my career involved navigating ambiguity where there was no clear playbook, learning complex systems quickly, and taking responsibility when outcomes mattered. One of the hardest lessons was resisting shortcuts and insisting on durable solutions, even when that meant slower progress. Over time, that approach built trust and long term credibility.

The core lessons I have learned are that structure matters, accountability matters, and trust must be earned through evidence and transparency. Innovation without governance eventually breaks down. Sustainable progress comes from building frameworks organizations can rely on as technology evolves.

What I want people to understand about my work and my story is that it is grounded in practical experience. Whether I am working in imaging informatics, regulatory consulting, or developing healthcare governance standards, the goal is the same. Help healthcare organizations adopt complex technologies safely, responsibly, and with confidence, without losing sight of the patients those technologies ultimately serve.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend had a full week here, I’d build the trip around Dana Point and the surrounding coast, mixing ocean time, good food, and places that really capture the character of South Orange County.

Day 1, Dana Point Harbor introduction
We’d start the week with breakfast at RJ’s Cafe, which is a local staple and the perfect way to ease into the trip. From there, we’d head down to Dana Point Harbor and walk the marina to get oriented. I’d take them through the Ocean Institute to explore the marine science side of the harbor and spend some time along the docks. Dinner would be right on the water, something casual and classic, followed by sunset views and an easy night.

Day 2, Kayaking and coastal time
We’d rent kayaks in the harbor and paddle along the coastline, which is one of the best ways to experience Dana Point. After kayaking, lunch would be nearby and the afternoon would stay flexible, either relaxing at the harbor or walking the coastal trail above the marina. That evening would be low key, maybe a harbor side drink and watching the boats come in.

Day 3, Laguna Beach art and coast
We’d head north to Laguna Beach. The day would start with a walk through Heisler Park, time in the art galleries, and lunch in town. The afternoon would be spent at the beach before dinner somewhere walkable in Laguna. It’s a perfect contrast to the harbor vibe.

Day 4, San Juan Capistrano history
To add some inland flavor, we’d visit San Juan Capistrano. We’d explore Mission San Juan Capistrano, walk the historic district, and have a relaxed lunch near the tracks. This is a great slower paced day with a lot of character.

Day 5, South to San Clemente
We’d head south to San Clemente and walk the San Clemente Pier, check out the shops and coastal action. Late afternoon would be happy hour at Fisherman’s Restaurant, sitting over the water and watching surfers come in. It’s one of those classic Southern California experiences that never gets old.

Day 6, Crystal Cove and coast
We’d spend the day at Crystal Cove State Park, doing a coastal walk and then grabbing lunch at The Beachcomber Cafe. This is an easy day where the scenery does most of the work.

Day 7, Back to Dana Point and slow finish
The last day would involve taking the channel bike trail in Dana Point down to Doheny Beach for a day of fun, barbequing and frisbee. No rushing, just soaking it in. That’s really the appeal of living here. You can pack a lot into a week, but you don’t have to.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the board members. Each brings a different set of skills and experience that helps sharpen the work and keep it grounded in real healthcare realities. AI governance touches clinical care, technology, regulation, and operations, and having people who understand those different angles makes the work stronger.

The board provides thoughtful input, challenges assumptions, and helps refine the direction as HAIGS evolves. Their perspective and feedback have been valuable in shaping the standard and supporting the mission, and that contribution deserves recognition.

Website: https://AiHealthcareGovernance.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthcareaisafety

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-ai-governance-in-healthcare

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580154825796

Other: https://IAIGH.org