Kristin Baker is more than just an outstanding ultrasound technologist. She’s a teacher, a mentor, a colleague, and a role model whose impact reaches far beyond the walls of her department. She is also Coffey Health System’s 2025 Heart of Health Care Award recipient.
During the presentation on August 27, CHS Chief Executive Officer Stacy Augustyn explained the importance of the award because it is determined by colleagues who work together every day and know each other’s work.
“Kristin’s passion for training imaging students and promoting the field of sonography is unmatched. She understands the power of knowledge and the responsibility of passing it on,” Augustyn said. “Her journey hasn’t been easy…she’s faced loss, illness, and uncertainty. But through it all, she has continued to show up for her patients, her community, and her colleagues, showing us all what true resilience is. Kristin Baker is not just deserving of this recognition—she’s the definition of it.”
In rural areas where radiologists are reading scans performed hundreds of miles away, they must rely on the scanning capabilities of each sonographer to provide them with the necessary information. There can be “no stone left unturned.” To this end, Kristin continually works to hone her skills. She researches each patient’s record before scanning to ensure she knows precisely what the doctor is looking for. She understands that her patients often hold the key to their own well-being.
“It is not only that I take images. I listen to the patients and ask questions,” she said.
By gaining a deeper understanding of her patients, Kristin can pick up on cues that might otherwise be overlooked—and lead to crucial diagnoses.
CHS Radiology Supervisor Scott Sutherland sums up Baker’s uniqueness. “True empathy is a hard-earned skill and asset that comes at a price, but is so valuable when you work with people going through similar challenges. Kristin allows all the challenges of life—and all the good things as well—to continually mold her into the incredible person she is today.”
That same human connection applies to her colleagues. When Coffey Health System established an Associate Advisory Council two years ago, Kristin jumped at the opportunity to get involved beyond the imaging department. This role enables her to work directly with staff throughout the organization, share ideas and input, and contribute to the development of new initiatives for employee services and morale. She takes this role very seriously and considers how new initiatives will affect other departments and, ultimately, how they might impact our patients. Kristin is always eager to help and make a difference for her colleagues. Her colleagues describe her as “everyone’s cheerleader.”
Baker’s dedication to the Coffey County community runs deep. A LeRoy native, she graduated from Southern Coffey County High School. In addition to her healthcare career, she coaches volleyball and basketball at Lebo High School.