After many years of serving on MEDIC Regional Blood Center's board of directors, Dr. Blake assumed the role of MEDIC's medical director in June 2000. In the ten years that Dr. Blake has been medical director, MEDIC's collections, mobile operations and laboratory testing have grown exponentially. He instituted additional Nuclear Acidic Tests (NAT), including tests for HIV, HCV, West Nile virus and Hepatitis B. When the scare from transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) caused a decrease in donations, Dr. Blake had an effective response. To dispel potential donor's fears of this rare lung condition resulting from transfusions involving plasma, he spearheaded an informed rebuttal of the myths circulating about TRALI and blood donation.
Dr. Blake continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership and creativity through program initiatives, special projects and writings. Dr. Blake developed the University of Tennessee Medical Center pathology resident rotation at MEDIC. He takes an active interest in educating donors, employees and the public, implementing programs to increase AB plasma donations, creating a letter to donors to explain cholesterol levels and educating staff with newsletter articles on the history of transfusion medicine.
Dr. Blake's interest in promoting excellence in laboratory medicine and blood banking is evidenced by his affiliations. He is involved with inspection and accreditation programs and School of Medical Technology programs in an effort to ensure well-trained future medical technologists.
Beginning his career as a pathologist in the US Air Force, Dr. Blake moved to East Tennessee in 1968. As associate pathologist at Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee, he became the chief of pathology services and director of laboratories in 1970. Dr. Blake started a long tradition of providing pathology coverage for many communities. He retired from Baptist Hospital after 30 years of service.
