Message from Chair of the NYU Department of Medicine,
Martin J. Blaser, MD
Barbara A. Parker, MD
Alumni Day, 2002
Dear Colleagues,
I am sad to inform you of the passing of Barbara A. Parker, MD. Dr. Parker was a long-time colleague, an outstanding physician, and an inspiration to several generations of students, housestaff, and faculty.
Born in Oxford, New York, she graduated from Vassar College in 1936. She was an AOA graduate of the NYU College of Medicine in 1941. She served as an Intern and Resident at Bellevue in 1942-3, and joined the faculty in 1943 as a John Wycoff Fellow in Medicine. In 1950, she became Assistant Professor of Medicine. Dr. Parker chiefly served in the outpatient department at Bellevue, and maintained an active practice in Geriatrics until her retirement in September 2006, nearing the age of 92.
Dr. Parker was a most-dedicated physician, with great concern for her patients. She used a variety of intellectual and human skills to advance their health. She was an active teacher, and had an influence on generations of students and housestaff during her nearly 70 years working at Bellevue. As a faculty member, she conducted herself with perspective and equanimity. Dr. Parker continued to work in her clinic at Bellevue even when she herself was helped by her home attendant!
An active attendee of Medical Grand Rounds until late in her life, Dr. Parker, her family, and friends endowed the Herbert Chasis Memorial Lecture in honor of her late husband, a renowned nephrologist on our faculty.
We send our deep condolences to the Chasis family. She led an exemplary life, and had a career full of service and caring; she was a model for us all.
Sincerely,
Martin J. Blaser, M.D.
