About
Dr. Tonya Baker is a double board-certified internist and rheumatologist practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She then finished a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Kentucky. Her medical degree comes from the American University of the Caribbean Medical School.
Dr. Baker specializes in identifying undiagnosed and misdiagnosed chronic conditions. She treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and COVID vaccine response. She approaches each case like a detective, piecing together medical history and diagnostics to reach accurate answers. Before founding Rheumatologix, she spent years in an insurance-based rheumatology practice in Knoxville. She wanted to build something different: a practice where time with each patient was never a casualty of administrative pressure. Dr. Baker also holds a background as a certified personal trainer. She weaves diet, nutrition, physical training, and stress management into her clinical plans. Cityview Magazine named her a Top Doc in Rheumatology for five consecutive years from 2019 through 2023.
Education & Training
Medical School
American University of the Caribbean Medical School
Residency
Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Fellowship
Rheumatology, University of Kentucky
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Baker right for?
Dr. Baker is a strong fit for adults and patients of any age living with chronic pain or autoimmune conditions. People who have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years tend to find particular value in her thorough, investigative approach. She works well with patients managing rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, or psoriasis. Patients who want a provider who integrates lifestyle and nutrition alongside clinical treatment will feel at home here. Her panel size allows same-day and urgent care visits for members facing flare-ups.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Baker treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and COVID vaccine response. She also sees patients with other chronic pain conditions and inflammatory diseases. She has particular expertise in identifying conditions that other providers have missed or misdiagnosed.
Yes. Dr. Baker holds double board certification in both internal medicine and rheumatology. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center and her rheumatology fellowship at the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Baker takes a detective approach to diagnosis. She conducts a thorough review of each patient's full medical history and uses in-house lab work to piece together an accurate picture. She focuses on finding the root cause of symptoms rather than managing pain alone.
Yes. Dr. Baker draws on her background as a personal trainer to build care plans that go beyond medication. She works with patients on diet, nutrition, physical training, and stress management. This whole-body approach complements her clinical treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disease.
Yes. Cityview Magazine named Dr. Baker a Top Doc in Rheumatology for five consecutive years, from 2019 through 2023. She also appeared on the Stay Healthy Knoxville podcast hosted by Dr. John-Mark Chesney in April 2022, discussing direct patient care and arthritis management.
Dr. Baker has practiced rheumatology in Knoxville for several years, first in an insurance-based setting and then at Rheumatologix. She has treated thousands of patients across Eastern Tennessee living with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.
Yes. Dr. Baker treats individuals of all ages living with chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions. She sees both adult and younger patients who need specialized rheumatologic care.
Dr. Baker combines deep clinical training with a whole-body philosophy that includes lifestyle coaching rooted in her personal training background. She spends 90 minutes with new patients, draws labs in-house, and maintains a small enough panel to offer same-day visits. Her five consecutive Top Doc recognitions reflect her standing in the Knoxville medical community.
Doctor profile last updated August 16, 2026