Michael J. Parkerson, a government affairs executive with 20 years of experience,
including at universities in Georgia, has been appointed Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
Medicine’s chief government and external relations officer.
Based at PCOM Georgia in Suwanee, Parkerson will oversee all aspects of the College’s government relations activities at the federal, state and local levels. He joins PCOM from Georgia State University, where he served as director of government and community affairs starting in 2018 before his promotion to vice president in December 2021. He was also associate vice president of government relations at Kennesaw State University.
At PCOM, Parkerson will advocate for institutional priorities to governmental officials, local and national organizations, and other government entities on key legislative issues related to higher education, health policy, and research. The chief government and external relations officer is a Cabinet position reporting directly to President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81. Parkerson starts his role January 6, 2025.
“Michael’s experience in higher education, rapport with legislators, and understanding of state budgeting processes will help advance awareness of and support for PCOM,” Feldstein said. “Michael understands PCOM’s mission, especially in Georgia, where we are committed to training healthcare professionals from the state and producing many alumni who are committed to practicing in the state. We welcome Michael’s enthusiasm for the position and can’t wait to get to work.”
A native of Eastman, Georgia, Parkerson earned an associate’s degree in business management at Middle Georgia College before attending the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business for his undergraduate degree. He has experience working for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government and is actively involved in numerous community organizations.
In his most recent positions at Georgia State, Parkerson helped secure substantial funding to enhance the university’s capabilities and infrastructure, including a research tower, convocation center, dental clinic and a variety of federal funding initiatives.
“PCOM’s mission to attract students from Georgia and to help Georgians with healthcare solutions—whether in urban, suburban, or rural areas—resonates with me, and I look forward to further building relationships at all levels of government to support PCOM in my home state and in Pennsylvania,” he said.
Parkerson lives in Atlanta with his wife Lauren and two sons, Grant and Rhett.
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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