Jacobs School Welcomes Dr. Brian M. Parker as Chair of Anesthesiology and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Brian M. Parker, MD, as the new chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Jacobs School. Effective October 1, 2024, Dr. Parker will also serve as the senior associate dean for clinical affairs for the Jacobs School, and chief medical officer of UBMD Physicians' Group, the school’s practice plan.

Dr. Parker brings over two decades of experience in health care, with a particular focus on quality, patient safety, operational excellence and education. In his current role as chief quality and learning officer for Allegheny Health Network, Dr. Parker is responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of patient care quality, safety and service excellence are achieved across the system’s 14 hospitals and its hundreds of clinical locations, primary care offices and specialty practices. His leadership in these areas, along with his past contributions at Cleveland Clinic, will be invaluable as we enhance our clinical care and elevate the patient experience.

Additionally, he has twice served as interim chair of anesthesiology at both Cleveland Clinic and the Anesthesiology Institute at Allegheny Health Network. Dr. Parker’s expertise in hospital operations will be crucial in our pursuit of exceptional outcomes and improved patient care.

Dr. Parker is a prominent clinical leader within Highmark Health, holding key positions on the Committee for Quality, Safety, and Value, the Health Policy Council, and the Learning and Development Governance Committee. As chair of the Enterprise Quality, Safety and Value Operations Committee, he has been instrumental in driving system-wide quality initiatives for both Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network.

Dr. Parker also serves as president of Allegheny Health Network's medical malpractice insurance company. In this role, he collaborates closely with legal counsel to efficiently manage and resolve claims through early intervention and mediation. He also oversees the preparation of defense strategies for cases proceeding to trial.

As the Department of Anesthesiology’s academic and clinical head, Dr. Parker will focus on expanding research, building a strong clinical practice, and leading the department’s commitment to educating medical students and residents. In his dual role as senior associate dean for clinical affairs and CMO of UBMD, he will partner with UBMD leadership to expand access to high-quality care in the region and continue to build on UB’s goal of improving the health of patients in Western New York.

An alumnus of the Jacobs School, Dr. Parker holds both an undergraduate degree and a medical degree from our institution. He completed his anesthesiology residency and liver transplantation fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Parker is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (where he served as a past president), the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists, and the International Liver Transplantation Society.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Parker back to the Jacobs School community. His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to our continued growth and success. His guidance will be essential to the ongoing development of our Department of Anesthesiology, which has a proud tradition of nurturing current and future leaders in the field.

I am deeply grateful to Stacey A. Watt, MD, MBA, for her outstanding service as interim chair of the Department of Anesthesiology since January 2023. Her leadership and dedication have been crucial to the department’s success.

I would also like to thank our search committee, chaired by Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, chair of surgery and interium chair of neurology, and Kevin J. Gibbons, MD, associate professor of neurosurgery. 

Best wishes,

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA
Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Vice President for Health Sciences
University at Buffalo