The CDU Family Celebrates the Singular Life of Frederick Douglass Parrott, Jr., MD
Left to Right: Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, President, Meharry Medical College; Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO, Morehouse School of Medicine; Dr. Andrea Hayes, Dean, Howard University College of Medicine; Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Dean, CDU College of Medicine; Dr. David M. Carlisle, President and CEO, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
This is the fourth article appearing over the years in this publication that features the life and work of the distinguished Dr. Fred Parrott. Deservedly so. There are so many ways to assess Dr. Parrott’ s unique contributions to better our world that writing this piece was timely and appropriate. It should be noted that the encomiums offered on his behalf will continue for generations, as his generosity and caring spirit will affect so many worthy recipients for time immemorial. We should all be so lucky and blessed.
-Editor
The celebration of Dr. Parrott’ s life unfolded with a running slide show projected onto the main screen in Keck Auditorium. It was a fitting yet silent testimony to the widest variety of life experiences, people and places met, and events that any person could ever leave as legacy and lesson for any aspiring altruist.
Dr. Parrott in the news. Dr. Parrott receiving an award. Dr. Parrott and his rollicking fundraising circus called Real Men Cook, an event that raised the ante about how to raise money and have a great time. Dr. Parrott holding an oversized check with the recipients in rapt attention. Dr. Parrott with a Superman-themed bowtie standing at a podium. Surely, no one had as good a time generating good will through his personal efforts as this giant of a man.
And so, this day of celebration was long on honest reminiscence and personal assessment of what Fred
Parrott meant through his many acts of kindness. Snippets from his biography were continually cited to establish why he was so consumed with making the world a better place. We knew some of the stories, such as his owning a tailor shop in Tokyo during the Korean conflict that catered to GIs. Real Men Cook was certainly a game changer in how to attract support for an important cause while having fun.
After a brief introduction by Dean Deborah Prothrow-Stith, who noted the star wattage of the persons in attendance, and a heartfelt prayer by CDU General Counsel John W. Patton, Esq., the tributes rang out. President David Carlisle cited Dr. Fred as a visionary activist whose work set a high bar; an appropriate assessment of a man whose time was spent tirelessly considering how the world needed a reengineering to produce more professionals committed to solving the fundamental problems of providing proper health care to those most in need.
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 33