Paul Parkman

Paul Douglas Parkman (May 29, 1932 – May 7, 2024) was an American physician-scientist and virologist. He was one of the developers of the rubella vaccine.

Early life and education Paul Douglas Parkman was born in Auburn, New York, to Mary (Klumpp) Parkman, a homemaker, and Stuart Parkman, a postal clerk. He and his brother and sister were raised in Weedsport, New York. Parkman suffered from allergies and asthma as a child. In 1950, he graduated from Weedsport Central School.

In 1955, Parkman married Elmerina Leonardi, whom he had met in kindergarten. In 1957, he received both a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine from St. Lawrence University and a medical degree from the State University Health Science Center. He then worked at the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, where he served as director from 1987 to 1990. As director, he dealt with policies for the testing of HIV/AIDS, approved a bacterial meningitis vaccine, and increased the scrutiny paid to blood banks. Parkman retired in 1990.

Later life and death In 2021, Parkman advocated for people to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Parkman was the first recipient of Weedsport Central School's Graduate of Distinction award.