From the Military to Family Medicine
Michael J. Parker, PA-C
Physician Assistant | Ascension Medical Group
Story and photo submitted by Ann Howser of Ascension
Michael J. Parker, PA-C, is a physician assistant specializing in family medicine at Ascension Medical Group Temple Express Care, a walk-in clinic in Temple. Parker provides primary care for minor illness and injuries, preventive health screenings, routine check-ups and vaccinations.
Parker has served patients in Temple for 22 years. Born in a small town in Louisiana, he enjoys the small-town-feel of Temple and building relationships with his patients. He wants to make a positive difference in their lives.
“I have always found helping others very fulfilling,” Parker says. “I love talking to people. I am dedicated to engaging with each patient, so they know I really care about their well-being as a person, and that they are not just a number.”
Parker became interested in medicine while serving in the military at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He was an X-ray tech in the Air Force, and later engaged in nuclear medicine.
“Alaska was an awesome place to live and raise a family,” Parker says. “You get to see and experience a lot of unique things there.”
After his time in the military, he completed his studies at the University of Washington.
Today, Parker is living a happy life in Killeen with his wife, Angela Parker. His sons are now in their 30s, pursuing happy lives of their own. Parker is also the proud grandfather of two girls.
In his free time, Parker enjoys playing golf, including traveling to golf courses around the United States, and spending time with family and friends.
ABOUT ASCENSION: In Texas, Ascension operates Ascension Providence in Waco and Ascension Seton, which includes Dell Children’s Medical Center, the region’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and pediatric Level I trauma center, and Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, the region’s only Level I trauma center for adults. Ascension Seton partners with Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and shares a common vision of transforming health care through a focus on quality and value.
Serving Texas for more than 120 years, Ascension is a faith-based health care organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is one of the leading nonprofit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., operating 2,600 sites of care — including 142 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities — in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org and www.dellchildrens.net.
