SUNA SPOTLIGHT: DIANA BAKER

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Diana Baker started out in the health care profession as a dental assistant, but once she completed nursing school, it was on to working in a nursing home and ultimately, into the field of urology.

Diana currently works at the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute at the Cleveland Clinic as a registered nurse/clinical coordinator. She has worked in urology at the Cleveland Clinic for 12 1/2 years in multiple positions, including a staff nurse on the urology inpatient unit, assistant nurse manager of the inpatient urology unit, and clinical coordinator in outpatient urology. 

In her role as clinical coordinator, she has worked for several years with urologic oncology patients and is presently working with male infertility and general urology patients. 

“To be honest, I wanted to work in OB/GYN when I graduated,” said Diana. “When I was hired at the Cleveland Clinic, I was hired onto the post-op urology/gyn unit. My thinking was to get some experience and transfer to OB. It didn't take long before I had a strong interest in urology and have been there ever since. I can't imagine working in any other field of nursing.”

A 1996 graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing, Diana received a certificate in dental assisting prior to attending nursing school.

“Prior to and while attending nursing school, I worked as a dental and orthodontic assistant in a multi-dentist practice,” explained Diana. “My first nursing job was in long-term health care. I worked as a charge nurse in a nursing home on the skilled nursing unit.  Although challenging, this was a great beginning to my career. Following this position, I began my career at the Cleveland Clinic as a staff nurse on the inpatient urology unit.”

Now a full-fledged member of SUNA, Diana is doing all she can to keep busy.

“I joined SUNA to learn more about urologic nursing and have found SUNA to be that and so much more,” Diana beamed. “I have been involved (thanks to my mentor, Dotti Calabrese) with SUNA's annual conference planning committee for several years and served as chair for two years. I am currently serving my last year on that committee. I was also asked and accepted the position as Assistant Regional Director of the North Central Region and am entering my second year in this position. 

“I have not been as active in the Great Lakes chapter simply due to distance. I live about an hour southeast of Cleveland and most chapter meetings are in Michigan.  However, I am proud to say that I am working on the Great Lakes conference planning committee this year and am very excited to become more involved.”

When asked what SUNA has been able to do for her in her professional career, Diana didn’t hesitate to reflect on what a positive experience SUNA has been.

“SUNA has allowed me to gain great knowledge in urologic nursing,” said Diana. “SUNA has also been a tremendous way to network with other professionals across the country, not to mention the friends I've made. It is so enjoyable to go to the conferences and not only get updated educational information, but to also see colleagues and friends.”

On a personal note, Diana and her husband, Bob, recently celebrated 12 years of marriage. Residents of Newton Falls, Ohio, the couple has a five-year-old daughter, Emma, and a 15-month-old son, R.J.  Bob and Diana are very active in their church where Bob serves as a deacon and Diana serve as the choir director.