BRIGADIER GENERAL (DR.) GERALD W. PARKER
Brigadier General (Dr.) Gerald W. Parker is director of professional services, Office of the Surgeon General, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
General Parker was born in Susquehanna, Pa. Following graduation from Nott Terrace High School, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1946, he entered Union College, also in Schenectady, and earned a bachelor of science degree in 1951. General Parker received his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1955 and completed his internship at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady in 1956.
He began his Air Force career as a captain in September 1956 by attending the Basic Orientation Course for Medical Officers at Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., and the Primary Course in Aviation Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. From December 1956 to June 1958, he was assigned as flight surgeon and dispensary commander at Hondo Air Base, Texas.
In 1961 General Parker completed his residency in internal medicine at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He remained at Wilford Hall until 1965 where he served as staff internist and chief of the gastroenterology service. He completed his residency in gastroenterology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., in 1966.
The general then transferred to the 388th Tactical Dispensary, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, where he was chief of professional services until August 1967. His next assignment was at Clark Air Base, Philippines, where he was chairman of the Department of Medicine. He was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., in July 1969 and served as chief, internal medicine services at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center. In September 1970 he was named chairman of the Department of Medicine at Malcolm Grow. General Parker was assigned to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in 1972 as chairman of the Department of Medicine and in 1975 became director of hospital services at the center.
In August 1977 he became commander of the Air Force hospital at Torrejon Air Base, Spain. In September 1978 he returned to the United States and served as deputy director, medical plans and resources, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. and became director in May 1980. He was director of medical inspection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, Norton Air Force Base, Calif., from June 1981 to February 1983. From March 1983 to March 1985, he served as commander of the Air Force Medical Service Center; deputy surgeon general for operations; and director, Professional Services, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. He assumed his present duties in June 1985.
His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Army Certificate of Merit.
General Parker is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a life member of the American College of Physicians and a member of the Society of Air Force Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., Aerospace Medical Association and the Air Force Association.
He was promoted to brigadier general Feb. 4, 1980, with date of rank Feb. 3, 1980.
(Current as of July 1985)
General Parker was born in Susquehanna, Pa. Following graduation from Nott Terrace High School, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1946, he entered Union College, also in Schenectady, and earned a bachelor of science degree in 1951. General Parker received his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1955 and completed his internship at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady in 1956.
He began his Air Force career as a captain in September 1956 by attending the Basic Orientation Course for Medical Officers at Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., and the Primary Course in Aviation Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. From December 1956 to June 1958, he was assigned as flight surgeon and dispensary commander at Hondo Air Base, Texas.
In 1961 General Parker completed his residency in internal medicine at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He remained at Wilford Hall until 1965 where he served as staff internist and chief of the gastroenterology service. He completed his residency in gastroenterology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., in 1966.
The general then transferred to the 388th Tactical Dispensary, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, where he was chief of professional services until August 1967. His next assignment was at Clark Air Base, Philippines, where he was chairman of the Department of Medicine. He was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., in July 1969 and served as chief, internal medicine services at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center. In September 1970 he was named chairman of the Department of Medicine at Malcolm Grow. General Parker was assigned to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in 1972 as chairman of the Department of Medicine and in 1975 became director of hospital services at the center.
In August 1977 he became commander of the Air Force hospital at Torrejon Air Base, Spain. In September 1978 he returned to the United States and served as deputy director, medical plans and resources, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. and became director in May 1980. He was director of medical inspection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, Norton Air Force Base, Calif., from June 1981 to February 1983. From March 1983 to March 1985, he served as commander of the Air Force Medical Service Center; deputy surgeon general for operations; and director, Professional Services, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. He assumed his present duties in June 1985.
His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Army Certificate of Merit.
General Parker is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a life member of the American College of Physicians and a member of the Society of Air Force Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., Aerospace Medical Association and the Air Force Association.
He was promoted to brigadier general Feb. 4, 1980, with date of rank Feb. 3, 1980.
(Current as of July 1985)