VALDOSTA — “The short story is, 9/11 happened, and I wanted to join up,” Dr. Patrick Parker said.

Parker wanted to join the military after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, but wasn’t sure what part he could play. He was physically limited by a knee surgery in high school, so he applied for and won a scholarship from the Health Professional Scholarship Program that year. 

He was one of 35 recipients of the award, which paid for medical schooling in exchange for military service. 

As a doctor at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., Parker oversaw eight physician assistants and looked after about 5,000 soldiers.

When his father fell ill, Parker requested a transfer to Fort Drum in New York to be closer to him.

Last week, Parker joined Urological Clinic of Valdosta as a urologist.

He joins administrator Pam Chiang, Dr. Mike Chiang and physician assistants Brian “Dewayne” Blanton Jr. and Brad Ridge.

“I finished my commitment to the military, got my honorable discharge and showed up here,” he said. “I was blown away by their hospitality and the clinic. Pam knit me a winter hat and sent it to me while I was in New York.”

He recalled a time he drove to work in Fort Drum one day and took a 20-minute call.

Parker turned around to look out his window and could no longer see his car because it was completely covered in snow.

“I always knew I wanted to move south,” he said. “It’s just a different kind of society. I like it.”

Parker said he has had his fill of snow. He has yet to get used to the gnats.

Urological Clinic of Valdosta is located at 3294 N. Oak St. Ext. and can be contacted by phone at (229) 241-1188.