Ben Baker, a 1987 graduate, was a computer science major who spent over 15 years working for General Electric. Baker is now an entrepreneur in the healthcare industry.
In 2004, he and his business partner started CareHere, a business that brings healthcare services to employees by placing medical facilities in convenient locations for the employees.
The services which CareHere provides to the employees are provided free of charge to the patients. Employers hire CareHere to provide these services, and, thus, employers are able to save on insurance expenses.
He met his business partner, Ernie Clevenger, when Baker began attending Harpeth Hills Church of Christ. Since that time, Clevenger and Baker have started and grown CareHere into the company it is now.
“You know, it was a big shift for me to move from corporate world to the entrepreneurial space, but it was pretty exciting,” Baker said.
Clevenger, the experienced entrepreneur, and Baker, the seasoned corporate veteran, combined their efforts. While Baker has enjoyed being an entrepreneur, he said it does come with “trade-offs.”
“You have to wear every hat that there is conceivable,” Baker said. But in return, he said this new path is rewarding.
“We feel like what we do makes a difference,” Baker said. “People can get access to care.”
Baker said he also enjoys the freedom being an entrepreneur offers.
“That’s another freedom that you have — the ability to steer it and direct it, and guide it in ways that you feel God is leading you do that,” Baker said.
Twelve years after its start, CareHere has grown into a company with over 1000 employees and with clinics in over 25 states. The company is able to provide medical services to approximately 150,000 patients and their dependents.
Photo courtesy of CareHere