The University of South Carolina Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council recognizes a cohort of outstanding alumni under 35 that embody the spirit of Carolina, while making meaningful impacts in their fields. This year, the Council recognized USC Nursing alumnus, Blake Frazier (‘12 BSN) as an award recipient for his leadership and excellence in the health care field. Frazier is part of the second Gamecock35 cohort and the first nursing alumni to be recognized with this honor.
“Being recognized as a Gamecock35 recipient is an honor and a reflection of the impact that Carolina has had on my journey,” says Frazier.
Frazier graduated from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing in 2012, earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. During his undergraduate studies, he demonstrated leadership skills by holding multiple positions in the Student Nurses Association, including president, and serving on the dean search committee and partnership board as a student representative. After graduating, he gained extensive experience in cardiac surgery and transplant critical care while continuing to serve the college through its Alumni Council.
Reflecting on his time at Carolina, Frazier credits the university for shaping both his career and his commitment to service. “My time at the college shaped not only my foundation as a nurse, but also my commitment to leadership and service. It instilled in me a lasting responsibility to give back to the profession and invest in the next generation.”
In 2022, Frazier earned his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. He went on to work at the Medical University of South Carolina – Charleston as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Frazier now serves as the assistant program director and assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma’s Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, where he is helping launch the state’s first public CRNA program.
Dedicated to advancing health care and serving his community, Frazier has participated in numerous oral and poster presentations and is a published author. He was recognized in 2017 as the USC College of Nursing Outstanding Young Nurse Alumnus and currently serves as the president-elect of the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. His commitment to expanding access to care is reflected in his work teaching future nurses, mentoring students and advocating for the health care profession.