Midwestern University to Inaugurate Dr. Joshua Baker as 10th President and Chief Executive Officer

Midwestern University will inaugurate Joshua C. Baker, O.D., M.S., as its 10th President and Chief Executive Officer during a ceremonial investiture on Friday, September 11th, on the University's Downers Grove, Illinois campus. An inauguration ceremony will also be held on the University's Glendale, Arizona campus on September 14th. Faculty, students, alumni, trustees, and distinguished guests on both campuses will mark this historic milestone and celebrate the University's next chapter of leadership.

EVENT INFORMATION

Investiture Ceremony, Downers Grove Campus

Friday, September 11th, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Cardinal Hall - Midwestern University
555 31st Street
Downers Grove, Illinois

Inauguration Ceremony, Glendale Campus

Monday, September 14th, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Auditorium - Midwestern University
19555 N. 59th Avenue
Glendale, Arizona

Midwestern University's Impact

• 125+ Years in Chicago: Midwestern University's Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) has been educating future osteopathic physicians since 1900.
• Arizona’s Healthcare Anchor: Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus is home to Arizona’s largest medical school (Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine - AZCOM) and the state’s first veterinary college (College of Veterinary Medicine - CVM). 
• Addressing Healthcare Shortages: MWU has graduated nearly 40,000 healthcare professionals from both of its campuses. Over 40% of MWU graduates remain in-state to practice, directly alleviating severe healthcare provider shortages in urban and rural communities statewide. 
• Economic Engine: Midwestern has a combined $1.1 billion annual economic impact on DuPage County, Illinois, and Maricopa County, Arizona, and employs around 1,000 on-campus jobs per campus.
• Community Clinical Resources: Through the Midwestern University Clinics, faculty and upper-level students provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare to residents of the Chicagoland and Phoenix Metro areas, registering more than 212,000 patient visits each year.
• "One Health" Pioneer: MWU is a national leader in the One Health philosophy, training students in more than 20 doctoral, master's, and certificate programs on both campuses to collaborate across human, animal, and environmental healthcare disciplines.

The historic inauguration, which highlights the University's continued commitment to excellence in healthcare education, research, and patient care, will be streamed live on Midwestern University's website on both September 11th and September 14th. Receptions will be held immediately following the ceremonies.