Earl Fyke
Dr. Frazier Earl Fyke III truly believes it is better to give than to receive.
As a long-standing member of the Woods Order, the electrical engineering graduate contributes regularly and generously to the University of Mississippi School of Engineering. A staff cardiologist at Baptist Heart in Jackson, Fyke readily acknowledges his alma mater laid the foundation for his professional success.
“I got a wonderful education under some really wonderful mentors in the engineering program at Ole Miss that prepared me well for 10 years of medical training and for life,” Fyke said.
“On several occasions I have been fortunate enough to hear Dr. Fyke share his belief that an engineering degree from Ole Miss is one of the most valuable degrees you can earn, from its rigorous preparation to its long-term career potential,” said Kevin Gardner, development officer for the engineering school. “Dr. Fyke’s confidence in our degree programs is reflected in his support to strengthen our engineering scholarship program, helping to recruit and retain outstanding students. We are extremely grateful for his and Nancy’s continued support.”
After earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering, Fyke chose to pursue a professional career in medicine. His decision led him to Mayo Medical School, where he earned his M.D. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at Mayo.
Over the years, Fyke has worked as a staff cardiologist at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, Rankin Medical Center and Rivers Oak Hospital. In 1991, he served as chief of cardiology at MBMC and nine years later was chief of medicine there.
Since then, he has served as director of Baptist’s Echocardiography Laboratory, Cardiovascular Associates Echocardiography Laboratory and University Heart Select Specialty Echocardiography Laboratory. He has held national certifications in adult echocardiography, cardiac pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, and interventional cardiology.
Fyke became a professor of clinical medicine in cardiology at the UM Medical Center in 2008, then returned to private practice as a staff cardiologist at Jackson Heart Clinic before assuming his present position with Baptist. He reflected upon his two most gratifying professional achievements.
“Early in my career, I was invited to serve on the national examination writing committee for the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (now Heart Rhythm Society) and did so for a decade,” Fyke said. “I think I was the only private practice physician on this board of celebrities in that field. What a thrill to meet annually with them in Philadelphia and work throughout the year preparing this certifying examination.”
A member of the board of trustees of Belhaven University for more than 20 years, he chairs its academic affairs committee.
“To work with the faculty and administration to promote academic goodness as well as thoughtful application of the university’s commitment to teach each discipline in Christian perspective has been a privilege,” he said.
Fyke is a fellow in the American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. He also has memberships in the Heart Rhythm Society, American Society of Echocardiography and American Heart Association.
A prolific author, he has published 17 peer-reviewed journal articles, six abstracts, two book chapters, two editorials, two letters to the editor and a book review. He has also been a reviewer for Heart Rhythm Journal and Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions.
He is married to the former Nancy Jean Johnson, and they have three children: Frazier Earl Fyke IV, Thomas Joel Rutherford Fyke and Georgia Katherine Fyke.
Fyke jokes that he is deferring leisure time until retirement. He enjoys reading and spending time with family.
“Right now, I am still overly busy in my practice just taking care of patients,” he said. “Thankfully, I love medicine and especially cardiology. I lecture fairly frequently, which requires a good bit of outside-of-work preparation.”