The Society for Airway Management proudly celebrates the extraordinary distinction bestowed upon four esteemed colleagues and leaders in healthcare: Associate Professor Paul Baker, Peter Boshier, Professor Emeritus James Chapman, and David Ellis, each of whom has been recognized with a knighthood for exceptional service and contributions to New Zealand and the international community.
We are especially delighted to acknowledge Dr. Paul Baker, whose impact on the field of airway management has been profound and enduring. This recent honor recognizes a career dedicated to advancing patient care, medical education, and clinical excellence. A foundation consultant anaesthetist at Starship Children’s Hospital, Dr. Baker has devoted more than four decades to advancing the care of patients through his expertise as a paediatric anaesthetist and airway management specialist.
Widely regarded as New Zealand’s leading authority on airway management, Dr. Baker has shaped clinical practice and education both nationally and internationally. Through his pioneering AirwaySkills programme, he has personally trained more than 5,000 anaesthetists, emergency physicians, and intensive care specialists, creating a legacy that extends far beyond his own clinical practice. His commitment to excellence in education, patient safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration has influenced generations of clinicians and improved the care of countless patients worldwide.
As a Past President of the Society for Airway Management, Dr. Baker’s leadership helped advance the Society’s mission of promoting excellence in airway management through education, research, innovation, and global collaboration. His contributions have inspired airway practitioners around the world and strengthened the international airway community.
The Society for Airway Management extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Baker on this richly deserved recognition. The conferral of a knighthood reflects not only a distinguished career of clinical excellence and educational leadership, but also a lifetime commitment to improving patient outcomes through safer and more effective airway management.
We join colleagues across the globe in celebrating this historic achievement and expressing our gratitude for Dr. Baker’s extraordinary service to our profession and to the patients whose lives have been touched by his work.