Frederick B. Parker Jr. ’58, ’62M (MD)

Dr. Frederick Parker has devoted his career to educating and training surgeons in upstate New York, including most of Central New York's cardiac surgeons, in addition to many other surgeons worldwide. A professor emeritus and former chairman of surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Dr. Parker earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester in 1958 and his doctor of medicine degree in 1962. He served in the military for two years as chief of surgical services and consultant in general surgery at the U.S. Air Force Regional Hospital in Washington State.

After completing his residency at the Albany Medical Center, Dr. Parker joined SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. In 1991, he became the full-time chairman of the department of surgery, where he served until his retirement in 2001.

Dr. Parker is board certified by and a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. A member of numerous medical and surgical associations, he has done research in cardiology and cardiac surgery that has been published in several medical journals.

Throughout his career, Dr. Parker has been a dedicated member of the University of Rochester alumni community.  As class agent for the Class of 1962, Dr. Parker developed a special giving program with a goal of raising $1 million for the School of Medicine between the 45th and 50th class reunions. He also is a Charter Member of the George Eastman Circle, the University's leadership annual giving society.

Dr. Parker is former chairman and past president of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and continues to serve on its board. He recently stepped down as board chairman of the Upstate Medical University Foundation. He also serves on the foundation board of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse and the board of the Central and Western New York chapter of the Nature Conservancy. 

Dr. Parker and his wife, Virginia, reside in DeWitt, New York. They have two grown children, Amy and Matthew.