HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marie D. Frazier, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and medical director of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital (HFCH) at Cabell Huntington Hospital, has been named the 2022 Advocate of the Year for the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WVAAP). 

Frazier, a pediatric critical care physician at Marshall Health, was recognized by the WVAAP for years of advocacy work with children throughout the Tri-State and southern West Virginia. After years of planning, HFCH opened the community’s first CAC in 2017. Since that time, CAC has provided care to hundreds of children who have experienced sexual and/or physical abuse and neglect.

Frazier has served as the medical director since the CAC’s opening. Under her leadership, the CAC earned accreditation from the National Children’s Alliance in 2020. She has also developed a curriculum to further educate pediatric residents and hospital medicine fellows at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. The curriculum addresses the complexities of examining children who have experienced sexual abuse; the unique psychosocial characteristics that must be considered in caring for these children; and court testimonies.

Frazier also serves as medical director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital. She has been providing care to critically ill infants, children and adolescents in the Tri-State area since 2007. In addition, she serves as the assistant dean of academic affairs at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. In this role, she works with medical students to ensure success, monitors their academic progress and oversees their professional development.

“Receiving this award is a distinct honor, for which I am very grateful,” Frazier said. “It is truly a privilege to care for the kids our community. In the current climate of a pandemic and the social strain it places on our children, it is important now, more than ever, that they have voices advocating for their needs and safety. I am fortunate to have a phenomenal team of colleagues at both Marshall Pediatrics and Hoops Family Children’s Hospital that are passionate about ensuring that the children in our community receive the care they deserve.”

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Contact: Sheanna M. Spence, Director of External Affairs, School of Medicine, 304-691-1639

Date Posted: Thursday, April 14, 2022