In July 2023, we changed our name from AACC (short for the American Association for Clinical Chemistry) to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM). The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) and AACC Academy were also both rebranded to the Academy of Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine. The following page was written prior to this rebranding and contains mentions of the association’s old name, the Academy’s old name, NACB, and/or FACB (one of the old designations for members of the Academy). It may contain other out-of-date information as well.
1999 AACC Past President’s Award
K. Michael Parker, PhD, DABCC, will receive this year’s award, sponsored by the Allegiance Healthcare Corporation, a Cardinal Health company. Dr. Parker has compiled a distinguished career in service to laboratory medicine, professional organizations, and academic institutions. “I have found that my career has provided me with the wonderful opportunity to serve others”, stated Dr. Parker as he reflected on his professional pursuits during the last 28 years.
Dr. Parker is a tenured Professor of Pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He serves as Interim Chief of Clinical Laboratories, Director of Core Laboratory Operations, and Director of the Toxicology/Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Laboratory for University and Children’s Hospitals.
Dr. Parker earned a BS in Chemistry from Abilene Christian University and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Texas. He is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and is a fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB).
Dr. Parker served as the 50th President of AACC in 1999. During his year as President, Dr. Parker focused many of his efforts on facilitating strategic planning by the AACC Board of Directors, preparing AACC and its members for the changing environment of laboratory medicine and communicating the value of laboratory testing and the laboratorian to those outside the profession. Dr. Parker launched the Association’s healthcare awareness campaign (Health Indicators 5 Program) at a Capitol Hill press conference with key House of Representative leaders.
Dr. Parker currently is a member of the Board of Directors of AACC and the NACB and serves as AACC’s representative to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. In the past, Dr. Parker has served in numerous other leadership roles for AACC at the regional, national, and international levels. He has served the Texas Section in all elected positions (i.e., Secretary-Treasurer, Chair-Elect, and Chair) and has been appointed to key leadership assignments (e.g., Delegate and Legislative Liaison). He was honored by the Texas Section with the Outstanding Clinical Chemist Award in 1988 and the Chairman’s Award for Service in 1995. He has served as a member of numerous AACC committees and as Chair of several AACC groups. For example, he served as Chair of the 1988 Annual Meeting Organizing Committee, Chair of the House of Delegates, and Chair of the Delta Project. In 1994, he was honored for his service to AACC with the national Award for Outstanding Contributions Through Service to the Profession of Clinical Chemistry.
Dr. Parker is active in the teaching programs at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He coordinates several teaching activities for medical students and residents in the Department of Pathology as well as an elective in clinical pathology and a summer research program for medical students. He directs the resident training program in clinical chemistry and serves on the Residency Governance Committee and the Curriculum Committee for the Department of Pathology. His Department recognized his contributions to teaching with its Unsung Hero Award.
Dr. Parker’s research interests have been broad but have tended to focus in the areas of diabetes mellitus; drug use, abuse, and addiction; clinical toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring; and applied investigations related to clinical laboratory medicine. He has contributed more than 70 publications in these areas. He serves as a scientific reviewer for Clinical Chemistry, Diabetes Care, and Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. During his tenure as Chair of the Delta Project, publication of the newsletter Clinical Laboratory Strategies was begun, and Dr. Parker served as Chair of its first Editorial Advisory Board from 1996 to 1997.
Dr. Parker’s professional career has been only one facet of his multidimensional life. He enjoys time with friends and hobbies such as sports, photography, woodworking, and music. His greatest joy is spending time with his wife, two daughters, son-in-law, and a new grandson.
1994 Outstanding Contributions Through Service to the Profession of Clinical Chemistry
Kenneth Michael Parker will receive the 29th annual award, sponsored by Beckman Instruments.
Parker earned his B.S. magna cum laude at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX, and in 1972 he was granted his Ph.D. in biochemistry/biology from the University of Texas at Austin. After postgraduate training in clinical chemistry with a large pathology group in Austin, he held positions at the Dallas Veterans Hospital and the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Parker became certified by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry in 1980. In 1981, he joined the faculty of the University of Oklahoma.
As a tenured associate professor of pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, he directs a full-service Toxicology/Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Laboratory and teaches in a variety of undergraduate and graduate education programs. (He has served on the Faculty Senate and is currently a member of the Faculty Appeals Board and the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Committee.) His research interests include basic and applied studies in diabetes mellitus, drug abuse, toxicology, and therapeutic drug monitoring.
Parker has demonstrated commitment to his profession through service to AACC at both the local and national levels. He has served the Texas Section as secretary-treasurer, chairman, and delegate, and was awarded that section’s Outstanding Clinical Chemist Award in 1988. In addition, he has been chair of the Continuing Education Subcommittee; chair of the 1988 National Meeting Organizing Committee; chair of the 1989 Task Force on National Meetings; and secretary of the Pediatric Division. Currently, he is chair of the House of Delegates Steering Committee and co-chair of the 1994 National Meeting Organizing Committee. Parker is also a member of several other professional societies, including the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry and the Association of Clinical Laboratory Scientists. He has served as a reviewer for Clinical Chemistry, Diabetes Care, and the Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, and as a consultant to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.