Black History Month: Honoring the James Parker Family

This Black History Month, we celebrate three remarkable individuals whose dedication to their community continues to inspire: Dr. James Parker Sr., Dr. James Parker Jr., and Mrs. Shirley Parker. For over 80 years, they provided compassionate care to Red Bank’s West Side, leaving a legacy of compassion and service that lives on today through the Parker Family Health Center.

Dr. James Parker Sr.: A Pioneer of Compassionate Care

Dr. James Parker Sr., born in Shrewsbury in 1872, was a pioneer whose contributions to medicine and community outreach remain unmatched. As one of the earliest Black physicians in New Jersey, he broke barriers by earning his medical degree from Howard University and returning to Monmouth County. His dedication went beyond his private practice, as he made house calls to patients in need and provided care regardless of their ability to pay.

Dr. Parker Sr. believed that access to healthcare was a fundamental right and took it upon himself to provide this lifeline to those who had few other options. Over the years, his home office in Shrewsbury became a trusted space for people from all walks of life. He became a well-respected leader in the community, not just for his medical expertise but for his unwavering commitment. His legacy as a healer and advocate is deeply woven into the fabric of Red Bank and its surrounding areas.

Dr. James Parker Jr.: A Lifetime of Service

Following in his father’s footsteps, Dr. James Parker Jr. upheld the family’s remarkable tradition of community care. After graduating from Howard University Medical School like his father, Dr. Parker Jr. brought his expertise back to Red Bank, dedicating his career to serving the medical needs of his hometown.

Dr. Parker Jr. shared his father’s belief that healthcare should be accessible to all, and he worked tirelessly to build upon the foundation laid by Dr. Parker Sr. Patients admired him not only for his skills as a physician but also for his warm and approachable nature. He often went above and beyond to help, ensuring his patients felt cared for in every sense. His vision for improving healthcare access ultimately helped inspire the creation of the Parker Family Health Center, a clinic where his ideals of community and service could thrive.

Even after retiring from active practice, Dr. Parker Jr. remained engaged in advancing the Parker legacy. He took immense pride in the dedication of the Parker Family Health Center, seeing it as the realization of a lifelong dream to provide healthcare for all in his community.

Shirley Parker: A Legacy of Love and Dedication

Born in 1921 in Fair Haven, New Jersey, Shirley Alberts Parker was one of five children delivered by Dr. James Parker Sr. As a teen, she worked part-time in Dr. Parker Sr.’s office, developing a lifelong connection to the Parker family. Though she briefly considered nursing, Shirley pursued a 47-year career at Fort Monmouth, where she earned numerous awards as a supply systems analyst.

After Dr. James Parker Jr. became a widower, the two began a late-life romance, marrying when Shirley was near 80. Together, they championed the vision of the Parker Family Health Center, supporting the creation of a clinic to provide free quality medical care to the uninsured. Shirley often recalled the pride Dr. Parker felt on the clinic’s dedication day, a moment they treasured.

After Dr. Parker’s passing, Shirley devoted herself to preserving his legacy, becoming a passionate advocate for the center. She remained an active presence in the community, ensuring the Parker Family Health Center’s mission of compassion and care continued for generations to come.

The Legacy Lives On: Parker Family Health Center

The Parkers’ commitment to equitable healthcare inspired the founding of the Parker Family Health Center in 2000. Named in their honor, the clinic was established to ensure that no one in Red Bank would go without access to medical care. Today, the Parker Family Health Center provides comprehensive free healthcare to uninsured children and adults, with over 18,000 visits logged in 2024, and continuing the work the Parkers began nearly a century ago.

This legacy of healing has been supported by a community that shares the Parkers’ vision. Volunteers, donors, and champions like Dr. Eugene Cheslock, Dr. Donald Warner, Dr. Tim Sullivan, John Horl, and Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi have all played pivotal roles in carrying the torch forward.

Celebrating a Legacy of Compassion and Equity

The story of Drs. James Parker Sr. and Jr. is a powerful reminder of the impact that one family’s dedication can have on a community. This Black History Month, we honor their enduring legacy and the countless lives they’ve touched. Through their work, they exemplified the principles of compassion and service that remain at the heart of the Parker Family Health Center.

www.parkerfamilyhealthcenter.org