Proceeds from the golf tournament support the Mary Parkes Center for Asthma, Allergy & Pulmonary Care

Mary M. Parkes, RN
1958 – 1991

Mary Parkes is far more than the namesake of our Center; she is our daily inspiration. Though Mary suffered for many years with severe asthma, she was first and foremost a nurse. As a critical care nurse at a local Rochester hospital, Mary was known for her unfailing optimism and perseverance. Mary understood the challenges of being a patient as she was hospitalized more than 50 times for her severe asthma. As a result, she carried a special understanding with her to every patient’s bedside. After a long struggle with the disease, Mary died at age 32 on April 2, 1991.

Soon after Mary’s passing, her parents, Walter and Carmina Parkes, siblings, family, friends, and physicians who cared for her, started a support group for individuals and their families struggling with asthma. This led to the building of the first Asthma Center in the area in Mary’s memory, which was a huge step toward eliminating the isolation many asthma patients felt as well as providing a Center of Excellence to those who need specialized asthma care.

The Center was a long time component of The Genesee Hospital, which closed in May of 2001. Today, the Mary Parkes Center is affiliated with UR Medicine and recently completed its third expansion in 2012, which continues to offer the greatest promise in preserving and building upon excellence in patient care, high technology, and enhancing research efforts.

It is with the ongoing and tremendous support from our community, including those involved with the JBX Charity Golf Tournament annually, that the Center continues to offer a chance, hope, and promise for those in and out of our area to take one breath at a time.

A heartfelt thank you for choosing to participate in this year’s 23rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament honoring the Center and memory of Mary, whose courage, compassion, and beautiful smile is forever remembered by all who knew her.