Dr. Steven N. Parks

Steve was born in Carroll, Iowa son of Betty and Neil Parks. He had two younger siblings: Susie and Jack. He and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska when he was 15 years old; he graduated from Westside High School. After attending Creighton University, he obtained his Doctorate of Medicine from University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1970. He then completed surgical residency at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California and a trauma surgery fellowship at UCSF in 1976.

After completing surgical training, Steve moved to Fresno and began his surgical career at Valley Medical Center. He built his career by dedicating himself to the sickest patients and victims of trauma; he was truly a gifted surgeon. He was heavily involved in surgical education and taught generations of surgeons here in Fresno. Since 1982, he has been the Chairman of Surgery and the Program Director for the Surgical Residency. An active member of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, he traveled worldwide to promote Advanced Trauma Life Support and received the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma's Millennium Commitment Award, the Advanced Trauma Life Support Meritorious Service Award, and the Society of Trauma Nurses Service Award. He was a dynamic educator and received numerous awards for teaching including the Henry J Kaiser Lifetime Award for Excellence in Teaching. As a culmination of all his professional achievements, Dr. Parks was recognized with the Steven N. Parks Endowed Chair of Surgery in 2009; it is established to continue his legacy of service and surgical education in Fresno.

His dedication to his patients was matched only by his devotion to his family. He married Patty Jo Neary on December 22, 1967 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was an amazing father to his two children, Nancy, 35, and Ben, 31, always managing to find time to be involved in every activity and at every school performance. He was full of life and loved community theatre; he performed in many shows at Roger Rocka's. He also enjoyed karaoke, cheering for the Fresno State Bulldogs, and he was the life of every party.

Steve was a master surgeon, an educator, and a dedicated family man. He was always full of life and found the good in everyone. He taught us to be strong, to be fair, and to do good always. He made the most of everyday and led by example. He will be missed.

There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, August 28 at his home at 4:00 p.m. The address is 1228 South Inverness Way, Fresno, CA, 93727.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Steven Parks Endowment for Excellence, UCSF Fresno Foundation, 155 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93701; Trauma Research Education Foundation Fresno, CMC Dept. of Surgery, 1st floor, 2823 Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93721 or Terry's House Community Medical Foundation, 126 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93701.