Michael Baca Named Administrator of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development

November 17, 2021

Michael Baca was recently named administrator of the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. CDD is home to Iowa's UCEDD and it's the state's tertiary level diagnosis and evaluation center for people with disabilities. Baca serves as a member of the core faculty for Iowa's LEND program, also based at CDD, and as administrator of its newly awarded IDDRC.

Baca joined CDD in 2019 to lead its clinical programs, which provide diagnostic and therapeutic services across the lifespan for individuals with disabilities from experts in the fields of Audiology, Education, Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Physical Therapy, Social Services, and Speech-Language Pathology. In 2020, Baca assumed the role of CDD's interim administrator.

"Michael Baca has been instrumental in leading the roll-out of CDD's strategic plan," says Pamela Johnson-Carlson, chief administrative officer of UI Stead Family Children's Hospital. "CDD will continue to grow, and focus on improved access for patients and community programs under his leadership."

According to Baca, University of Iowa Health Care and the state of Iowa have benefitted from the integration of CDD's state-of-the-art clinical programs with the UCEDD's policy, community programs and advocacy work, in addition to ILEND's interdisciplinary education program, and ongoing research activities. "I look forward to the opportunity to continue supporting CDD's capacity building efforts to optimize outcomes for Iowa's children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities," says Baca.

Prior to joining CDD, Baca served as Administrative Chief of Staff at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, working with senior leadership to advance key initiatives and projects.

Baca earned his master's degree in health administration at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, and completed his administrative fellowship at UI Hospitals & Clinics after earning his degree. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business from Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa.

For questions, get in touch with Meredith Field at [email protected].