Michael R. Parker, M.D.
Michael
is an east coast transplant. He grew up with his parents and older brother
in Queens, New York. Michael’s father Leon is a World War II veteran and
prefers to be called “Ace.”
Michael earned a B.A. in biology from the State University of New York in Binghamton (SUNY B), in 1980. During his college years he was a teaching assistant in the Environmental Studies department. Upon graduation, he returned to New York City to attend New York University School of Medicine, earning his M.D. in 1984.
While most of his classmates went on to specialize in narrow aspects of medicine or surgery, Dr. Parker knew that he wanted to treat the “whole patient.” He enrolled in a three year Family Medicine Residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. Like most residencies, it was intense and grueling, but absolutely essential as it provided the broad knowledge and experiences he needed to go on to provide the best primary medical care to newborns, children and adult men and women of all ages. His residency program was particularly strong in preventive health, women’s health and mental health.
Upon completion of his residency, Michael decided to move to Washington State for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost was the magnificent natural beauty of the Puget Sound. He recalls one of his residency mentors proclaiming “you are moving to God’s country!” He also chose Washington because the community has a progressive approach to medical care, with many people choosing family doctors to care for their entire family. In 1987, he joined a group of family doctors in Thurston County. Dr. Parker’s passion for his patients was obvious and the practice grew quickly. Many of his patient families encompassed three or more generations including grandparents, parents and children. He had the great pleasure of watching babies he had delivered grow to become young men and women.
In 1999, Michael went on an extended adventure that included three years at the University Of Washington School Of Law. He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) with a concentration in health care law. He passed the Washington State Bar on his first attempt in 2003. Like many of you, he moved to Bainbridge Island because of its unparalleled natural beauty and community spirit. He worked at a Seattle law firm for several years before concluding that the intensely adversarial nature of the practice of law was not for him. He firmly believes that education is always a good thing and “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” He has no regrets, and will always value the friends he made in law school and the legal profession.
Since 1987, Dr. Parker has completed a broad range of Continuing Medical Education courses in compliance with the requirements of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). In 2005, he was recertified by the ABFM and he returned to his true passion, the practice of medicine, where he works collaboratively with his patients to improve their health and well being.
Leslie A. Parker, R.N.
Leslie
is a Native Texan! She has an older brother and younger twin sisters.
She was born in San Antonio and lived there until her father, who worked
in the aviation industry, was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri in 1965.
Leslie recalls wanting to be a nurse ever since she was little. Here's
Nurse Leslie making an emergency house call at age four.
Her dream came true in 1980, when she graduated from St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri earning her R.N. She received a special award for her Dedication and Clinical Excellence in Nursing. She worked as a hospital staff nurse while earning her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Leslie has worked in various aspects of healthcare during her career including clinical administration positions at Washington University School of Medicine, a large OB/GYN practice and a physician staffing company.
Leslie moved to Washington State in 1999 and took a position with Forest Pharmaceuticals. She was trained in the pharmacology and treatment of depression, hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease. Leslie developed close relationships with many of the specialists (Psychiatrists, Cardiologists and Neurologists) and primary care doctors in our region. Leslie truly enjoyed working for the pharmaceutical company, but missed the rewards of direct patient care.
Family Interests and Hobbies
The Parkers
love to sail with their children, grandchildren, friends and golden retriever,
Racey. Their Norseman 447 is aptly named Kalm Sail. (Who said doctors
could spell?) Kalm Sail is more than the name of their boat, it is the
way they try to live their lives.
Leslie and Michael also enjoy gardening. Like many Islanders they look forward to our annual “Bainbridge in Bloom” garden tour. They were docents in 2004, but they believe they learned more about gardening from the patrons, than they taught. The best teachers learn from their students and the best doctors learn from their patients. The Parkers strive to learn something new every day.
