Blaise W. Baxter, MD

The needs of the patient and their family always comes first. Professionally, it’s an immense privilege to be entrusted with helping people during their time of medical crisis. I’ve always looked at these opportunities as more than just treating physical needs. Treating someone in the manner that you would want to be treated, with kindness and compassion, is often the most memorable part of the healing experience. Living according to the Golden Rule not only in the workplace but in every aspect of daily life is, to me, the foundation of a fulfilling life.

It may sound cliché, but I felt called in my life to become a doctor so I could help others. Medicine is a profession that blends both art and science and this was always fascinating to me. Understanding the science of medicine in order to diagnose and treat a patient is just one part of the healing process. Coupling this understanding with an empathetic and caring approach is truly the art of medicine. My medical career has exceeded my expectations for a rewarding, challenging and fulfilling profession. I’ve been blessed to witness, on a regular basis, true miracles in healing. My medical career has certainly fulfilled my call to help others.

Communities are made up of our family and friends. True happiness and joy are found in strengthening our communities where our families and friends can live in safety and freedom. I’ve been blessed in my career to get to travel to many other places in the world and witness how medicine is practiced and how people live in their communities.

I am passionate about doing my part to help improve communities not only in our country but also throughout the world. One of the most basic needs of people in communities is to have access to great medical care. With this in mind, I have been helping on both a national and international level to improve the systems of care for treating stroke patients.

Outside the medical arena, I am active in my local community church and have been active in the United Way. I’ve also had the privilege of serving on the board of a Chattanooga, Tennessee based organization called First Things First. This organization is totally focused on strengthening families and marriages in order to help improve our communities. Strong communities provide their inhabitants the environment to live happy and healthy lives.

I’ve been blessed to be married to my wife for 35 wonderful years. We raised three daughters and are now blessed with six grandchildren. My wife and I are very active in the lives of our children and grandchildren. I have always enjoyed sports and outdoor activities. I became very involved in competing in triathlons and Ironman competitions and this has been an activity that I have enjoyed participating in with my sons-in-law. Traveling is also something we enjoy and it is a great vehicle for spending quality family time.