John “JT” Parker receives the Academic Leadership Award for the College of Medicine
At Leadership Awards Night on Tuesday, April 6th, John “JT” Parker was named the recipient of the 2021 Academic Leadership Award for the College of Medicine. He has been a member of the Honors Medical Scholars (HMS) Program since 2017, as an incoming college freshman. In his sophomore year, he was elected as Service Chair for the Honors Medical Scholar Society. In addition to maintaining a full course load, JT has participated in molecular biology research in the College of Medicine Department of Biomedical Sciences with Dr. Akash Gunjan. He is now a senior student in the lab, making substantial contributions to the research and training newcomers to the lab. JT has also volunteered as a medical assistant for the Hope Clinic in Destin, Florida since June 2019. The clinic provides medical care for uninsured in the panhandle. To say that he enjoys working there is an understatement: he LOVES caring for patients. Working in the free clinic deepened his motivation to always offer his care in free clinics throughout his career. JT has also volunteered and taken leadership roles on projects benefitting the homeless and underserved. Each year, he volunteers at Second Harvest of the Big Bend to organize food donations. He also organized visits to the Riverchase Health and Rehabilitation Center in rural Quincy, Florida. He encourages fellow Honors Medical Scholars to go with him to Riverchase and is always willing to share the 30-minute ride from Tallahassee to Quincy. He has also volunteered and served as co-leader for Book It! 5K, to raise money to buy books for children in rural communities. JT is the type of leader who works behind the scenes to plan and organize service projects and follows through to ensure their success. JT is reliable and dependable and naturally puts the needs of others before his own. JT has been accepted to FSU’s College of Medicine via the Early Decision Program and will be a member of the Class of 2025. He will extend his service orientation and leadership into meaningful projects in medical school and beyond. Congratulations, JT!