Dr. Rob Baginski

Rob employs a diverse experience in creating IFAW’s first educational platform to inform and train professional responders and dedicated volunteers in animal rescue best practices with the ultimate aim of improving care and outcomes for rescued animals and the humans that support them across the globe 

Prior to joining IFAW, Rob worked for over 20 years as an emergency medicine physician. In addition to his clinical work in both the United States and abroad, Rob has served as clinical professor at Northeastern University where he filled a variety of roles including medical director and program director of the Physician Assistant Program, director of simulation, director of interdisciplinary affairs, and, most recently, program director of the Doctor of Medical Science Degree program. 

Rob’s first love, however, has always been marine mammal rescue. He followed this interest to Mystic Aquarium, where he worked for many years as a volunteer with the Animal Rescue/Seal Rescue Clinic. Since 2008, he has also worked with the Cape Cod Stranding Network (CCSN) and IFAW as a volunteer with the Stranded Marine Mammal Response Team. 

According to the CDC, the One Health paradigm is a collaborative and transdisciplinary approach with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. As an emergency medicine physician with additional experience in both higher education and marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, Rob has taken this concept to heart. 

Today, as director of IFAW’s Academy of Rescue and Conservation, Rob will employ these diverse experiences in creating an educational platform that will inform and train professional responders, community and global stakeholders, and dedicated volunteers in animal rescue best practices with the ultimate aim of improved care and outcomes for rescued animals and the humans that support them across the globe.