Trident Anesthesia Group, LLC was founded by Robert (Bob) Blackard, MD in 1975. Bob – as he’s known throughout the State – was serving the United States Navy in Charleston, South Carolina. He had every intention of returning to his hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina after his tour of duty was completed. Then, he was approached by an Administrator about an anesthesiologist position at a new facility being built in North Charleston, South Carolina. After exploring various alternatives in the Charleston area, he took a leap of faith: he changed his plan and joined the medical staff of a rural hospital that was still under construction. Many people warned him of failure, but that was just the medicine Bob needed to fuel him to embark on a new venture in private practice.
Bob founded and single-handedly operated Trident Anesthesia Group, LLC on the campus of what is known today as Trident Hospital Health System. Initially the sole anesthesiologist, Bob was joined after the first year by three CRNAs. This was a herculean effort and he poured his whole heart into it. Bob successfully grew the medical practice over the next 28 years, adding anesthesiologists, CRNAs, administrative and billing staff and additional infrastructure along the way as the practice continued to develop and flourish. Bob is a pioneer, a trailblazer, and a true leader. He exemplifies the core values of teamwork, initiative, and selfless commitment to duty. And he has taken good care of the community where he lives and provided exceptional outcomes to his patients.
Bob had a passion to provide a full scope of medical care to the patient population and he was hands-on with the growth and expansion of the Trident community in the North Charleston region. His vision of increasing access to all patients in the growing area of North Charleston led to many additional strategic partnerships over the past four decades. He is recognized as an outstanding humanitarian, a caring physician, a savvy businessman, and an innovative leader – while remaining an absolutely humble and kind person.
Bob is now retired and living in Summerville, South Carolina with his true love Sammye Blackard. They met during Bob’s second year of medical school, married only two years later, and have thrived in 52 years of marriage. Bob enjoys hunting and fishing and is dedicated to caring for his 102 year old mother in law.
Bob’s legacy carries on. His vision and efforts have led to a private practice that has served the Lowcountry for 45 years, delivering quality care in nine locations with a staff of 27 anesthesiologist and 78 CRNAs with a 95% patient satisfaction rating. All the Team, both young and old, are forever grateful for his initial leap of faith, hard work, and devotion to duty.
To this day, Bob retains emeritus status with Trident Anesthesia Group, LLC. He keeps in touch with his colleagues and focuses on family and his volunteer, philanthropy, and advocacy activities.
We Thank you Bob…the TAG Troops!
Anesthesiologists care for patients of all ages, with all conceivable comorbidities, in every kind of health care facility environment including trauma. Trident Anesthesia takes great pride in its profession, delivering safe and effective anesthesia services while upholding the principals of a morally self-regulating discipline dedicated to serving others. For more than 40 years, we have maintained a proven track record of building and managing exceptional hospital-based inpatient anesthesia practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based anesthesia clinics. All business and clinical decisions for our anesthesia practice are based upon what’s best for our host hospitals, surgery centers, and the patient experience.
Every physician swears an oath, saying: “May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.”
All of our Anesthesiology Physicians, Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesia Assistants are fully trained and board-certified. We stay abreast of current trends and work with state-of-the-art technology to ease your anxiety and concerns. Our common goal is to provide a safe and comforting environment that gives you peace of mind. We are a long-standing member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA), the South Carolina Society of Anesthesiologists (SCSA), American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the American Academy of Anesthesiologists Assistants (AAAA).
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info@tridentanesthesiagroup.com
9263 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite E
Charleston, SC 29406
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