Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Medical Director of Anesthesiology Support Services
Divisions: General Anesthesiology, Neuro-Anesthesiology
Education
Attending: Bastion Hospital Afghanistan (2014) Womack Army Medical Center (2018)
Residency: National Capital Consortium (2011)
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, F. Edward Herbert School of Medicine (2007)
Undergraduate: University of Delaware (2003)
Dr. Blacker joined the UNC Department of Anesthesiology in June 2018. Prior to joining UNC, he was an Anesthesiologist in the U.S. Army for seven years with assignments including Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC and Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
Dr. Blacker graduated from the University of Delaware in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and earned his medical degree in 2007 from the Uniformed Services University. He completed his anesthesiology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2011.
Dr. Blacker is currently an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and a Neuro-Anesthesiology team member. As Medical Director for the UNC Anesthesiology Support Services, Dr. Blacker oversees planning, prioritizing, and requesting equipment for current and future patient care, as well as compliance with all regulations, certifications and safety initiatives. In this role, he leads, mentors anesthesia support personnel and ensures this staff group stays current professional education and professional development. He also continues to work with the UNC Health Innovation team.
Dr. Blacker recently developed a spine enhanced recovery pathway at UNC and has worked with anesthesiologists from other universities to write a comprehensive review of spine enhanced recovery – Perioperative Care of Patients Undergoing Major Complex Spinal Instrumentation Surgery: Clinical Practice Guidelines From the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care. He additionally was an active member of the planning team to successfully move anesthesia services to UNC Health’s new North Carolina Surgical Tower (opening summer 2024).
Honors
Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists
Department Leadership
Medical Director, Anesthesiology Support Services
Local, State and National Leadership & Membership
Member, Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Quality and Patient Safety Committee
Question Author, America Board of Anesthesiology, Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology
Co-Author and Anesthesiology Leader, UNC Spine Surgery Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
Member, UNC Health Innovation Pilot Award Committee
Chair, Anesthesiology Capital Equipment Committee
Member, Department of Anesthesiology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Member, Department of Anesthesiology Academic Performance Assessment Committee
Member, Department of Anesthesiology Clinical Competency Committee
Member, Department of Anesthesiology Program Evaluation Committee
Member, Department of Anesthesiology Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee
Member, Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Clinical Affairs Committee
Areas of Expertise
Neuro-Anesthesiology, Spine Enhanced Recovery, Perioperative Brain Health
