This year, the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute marks 100 years of turning breakthrough science into lifesaving impact. What began as a modest laboratory at The Alfred Hospital has grown into one of the world's leading research institutes — and the work is far from finished.
Where it all began
The Baker Institute was founded on vision, determination and the generosity of people who believed that science could save lives.
At the centre of that story was pathologist John Mackeddie, who recognised that the laboratory facilities at The Alfred Hospital needed to match the remarkable advances in medical research happening overseas. He shared that conviction with his friend, pharmacist and philanthropist Thomas Baker, who was equally passionate about the power of research to transform lives.
In 1922, Thomas Baker financed a biochemistry department at The Alfred Hospital. When a new building opened in 1926, Thomas Baker and his wife Alice pledged their ongoing support for the laboratory — naming it the Thomas Baker, Alice Baker and Eleanor Shaw Medical Research Institute in honour of the Bakers and Alice's sister, Eleanor Shaw. With a handful of dedicated researchers in a small laboratory at the back of The Alfred Hospital, the Baker Institute was born.
Growing in size and purpose
In those early years, the Institute's research ranged widely — from surgery to asthma and infectious diseases. As the science evolved, so did the demand for space and resources, a challenge that would persist for decades as the Institute continued to grow.
In 1969, a new Baker building was officially opened by the then Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte — a milestone made possible in large part by Chairman of Trustees Edgar Rouse, whose father John had co-founded the firm Baker & Rouse with Thomas Baker, which later became Kodak Australasia. Through the following decades, the Baker, Shaw and Rouse families continued to provide both financial support and business leadership to the Institute.
A pivotal decision came in 1975, when the Institute's Trustees chose to concentrate on one major area of clinically important research: cardiovascular medicine. That focus sharpened the Institute's purpose and set the foundation for the discoveries to come.
A new chapter: diabetes joins the mission
In 1984, the International Diabetes Institute (IDI) was established — the first institute in Australia dedicated solely to diabetes and associated disorders. Over the following 24 years, it grew into the largest diabetes research institute in Australia and a leading centre for diabetes research and care across the Asia-Pacific region.
Then, in 2008, the Baker Heart Research Institute and the IDI merged to form the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. The merger created Australia's first multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to tackling cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity — and one of only a few globally to take such an integrated approach to these interconnected conditions.
A new home, a new era
At the turn of the 21st century, a transformational gift from philanthropist Chuck Feeney and The Atlantic Philanthropies changed the Institute's trajectory. In 2002, we moved from the back of The Alfred Hospital — our home since 1926 — into a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility. This investment expanded our research capacity and capability, and helped establish the Alfred Research Alliance precinct as one of Australia's leading medical research hubs, integrating biomedical and clinical research, education and healthcare under one roof.
100 years of discovery — and the problem still exists
A century on, our world has changed beyond recognition. But despite significant progress, the challenges that inspired John Mackeddie and Thomas Baker all those years ago remain.
Cardiovascular disease is still the world's leading cause of death. Diabetes now affects nearly 600 million people globally. These conditions devastate lives and place enormous strain on healthcare systems everywhere.
That's why our work has never been more important — and why we approach this centenary not just with pride, but with purpose.
As one of the few institutes in the world dedicated to both cardiovascular disease and diabetes, we are uniquely positioned to lead the charge. We're leveraging 100 years of innovation to accelerate the translation of research into practice, to deliver better health outcomes for everyone affected by heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
This is more than a milestone. It's a commitment to the next century of discovery, impact and hope. Because the problem still exists, and lives depend on what happens next.
Looking ahead
As we mark our centenary, we're also looking forward with clarity and ambition. Our 2030 strategy sets out a bold roadmap for the years ahead — deepening our research, strengthening our partnerships and ensuring the Baker Institute continues to shape the future of health through science that matters.