About Chernara Baker, DDS
Dr. Chernara Baker recieved her Doctorate of Dental Surgery and Masters in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry, where she received the Excellence in Dentistry award. During her time in dental school she co-founded the first student chapter of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and was a leader in the University's Student National Dental Association (SNDA) chapter. She also was a member of the Community Advisory Council to the Urban Health Program (CAC-UHP), a program sponsored by the University to encourage the participation of minority students in the health sciences fields. A native Chicagoan and graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School, Dr. Baker has been actively involved in public health initiatives targeting underserved communities throughout her medical career. She organized a student-run dental practice at Goldie's Place, a local support center providing dental care to the Chicagoland homeless population, and participated in the Intercambio Cultural Maya (ICM) medical outreach program in rural Mexico and Guatemala, where she provided pro bono dental services to indigenous communities. Dr. Baker is the recipient of the Lewis Exium Scholarship Award and Smith Barney Mercantile Award, and was recently featured in N'DIGO magazine after being recognized as a rising community influencer by the BOSS Network. She opened her Beverly practice in 2009 and North Center practice in 2012 with a focus on cosmetic dentistry, and takes pride in helping children and adults build healthy, happy smiles.