Surgeon Honored for Dedication to Offering Free, Transformative Surgeries Throughout Africa

Savannah – A surgeon who has dedicated almost 40 years to providing free, life-changing surgeries for patients in Africa has received worldwide recognition for his remarkable contributions.

Dr. Gary Parker, 72, has transformed the lives of thousands of children and adults in 18 African nations through his volunteer work on Mercy Ships hospital vessels.

His expertise in reconstructive surgery has restored health, dignity, and hope to individuals suffering from facial tumors, cleft lip and palate, severe burns, noma, and various other debilitating conditions.

Dr. Parker has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian Award from the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS) for his extraordinary contributions to global healthcare.

This award celebrates oral and maxillofacial surgeons who exhibit outstanding dedication to using their skills to positively affect society.

Selected by the ACOMS Board of Regents, Dr. Parker was honored during the 44th Annual Scientific Conference in Savannah, Georgia, on May 4, 2025. He also delivered a lecture, sharing insights from his extensive experience.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Dr. Parker has treated thousands of patients across 18 countries, mainly in Africa.

His proficiency in reconstructive surgery has helped restore function and dignity to numerous individuals facing serious issues such as facial tumors, cleft lip and palate, and severe burn injuries.

Dr. Parker earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from UCLA, followed by advanced training and residencies in hospital dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). He further refined his skills over five years in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) in North Wales, advancing to Locum Consultant.

During his training, Dr. Parker observed firsthand how OMFS can significantly improve the quality of life for people without access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care.

While in Wales, he discovered Mercy Ships, a nonprofit organization that operates hospital ships providing free surgeries, training, and healthcare services to those in need, prompting him to volunteer for three months in 1986.

This pivotal decision not only transformed his life but also led him to meet his wife, Susan, aboard the ship in 1987. Together, they raised their two children, who grew up on a Mercy Ship in Africa. Susan now serves as the international hospital chaplain for Mercy Ships.

Dr. Parker has been a full-time volunteer with Mercy Ships since 1987, taking on the role of Chief Medical Officer in 1995 in addition to his surgical responsibilities.

His humanitarian endeavors have earned him numerous international accolades, including the Daily Point of Light Award, the UCLA Medal, and high honors from several nations, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Senegal, and Cameroon.

Among these distinctions, he was awarded an honorary Fellowship from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2012 and a Fellowship by Election from the Royal College of Surgeons in London in 2007, granted to distinguished surgeons for their exceptional contributions to the field and selfless service to humanity.

“Dr. Gary Parker has committed nearly four decades to providing crucial surgical care to some of the world’s most underserved communities through his work with Mercy Ships,” said Melissa Admundson, DDS, a member of the ACOMS Board of Regents.

“His remarkable dedication to healing – performing thousands of complex surgeries at no cost – and his steadfast commitment to global humanitarian efforts epitomize the essence of the ACOMS Humanitarian Award. We are proud to honor Dr. Parker as our 2025 Humanitarian Award recipient.”

Reflecting on his life’s work, Dr. Parker expressed: “I am thankful for this recognition from ACOMS.

“I see it as a tribute to the courageous patients who trust us and the dedicated Mercy Ships teams who work tirelessly.

“Together, we’ve shown that when compassionate surgery meets human resilience, lives are transformed, and dignity is restored, capturing the hope and healing central to our shared mission.”

Each year, over 2,500 volunteer professionals from more than 60 nations lend their expertise on the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy.

Surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers volunteer their time and talents to improve access to safe surgical and anesthetic care.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Parker actively mentors African surgeons and champions global surgical efforts, highlighting the crucial role of OMFS in addressing worldwide surgical demands.

Dr. Parker’s previous awards include:

• 2022 – Commander of the National Order of the Lion, Republic of Senegal, Dakar
• 2018 – Daily Point of Light Award (Parker Family), USA
• 2018 – Knight of the Order of Valor, Republic of Cameroon, Douala
• 2017 – Kriser Medal, New York University, New York City
• 2014 – UCLA Medal, University of California, Los Angeles
• 2013 – AAOMS Humanitarian Award, American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orlando
• 2012 – Honorary Fellowship, AAOMS, San Diego
• 2012 – UCLA School of Dentistry, Alumni of the Year, Los Angeles
• 2008 – President’s Lecture, British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Cardiff, UK
• 2007 – Fellowship by Election, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK
• 2002 – Grand Commander, Order of the Republic of The Gambia, Serrekunda
• 2001 – Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Benin, Cotonou, Benin
• 1992 – Ordre de la Sante Publique, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan