Dr. Tassy Parker, PhD, RN, an enrolled citizen of the Seneca Nation and member of the Beaver Clan, has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor at the University of New Mexico, effective June 24, 2026. The honor recognizes Dr. Parker’s outstanding contributions to Indigenous health, public health, medical education, research, and service to Native communities. She is the first American Indian to be promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor at the UNM Health Sciences/School of Medicine. According to Dr. Barbara Rodriguez, UNM Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Parker was “among a select group of faculty members chosen from an exceptionally strong pool of nominees. This distinction represents the highest faculty rank at UNM and recognizes a sustained record of extraordinary achievement, leadership, and impact.”
Dr. Parker is a tenured professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the UNM School of Medicine (SOM). She also serves as Executive Director of the UNM Health Sciences Center’s Center for Native American Health and as Associate Vice President for American Indian Health Research and Education. Her work focuses on advancing health and wellness with American Indian communities through community-engaged research, Indigenous health workforce development, culturally centered healing models, and systems-level change. Professor Jennifer Edgoose, MD, MPH, Chair of the UNM SOM Department of Family and Community Medicine, stated in a communication to Dr. Parker, “You are so deserving of this momentous achievement, which reflects your extraordinary contributions – not only to the University, but to the academy and the Native American community to which you have dedicated your career. It is truly an honor to serve alongside you.”
Raised on the Cattaraugus Territory, Dr. Parker remains deeply connected to her Seneca identity and responsibilities. Her leadership is grounded in Indigenous knowledge, community partnership, cultural humility, and the belief that healing is relational, holistic, and rooted in the strengths of Native people and Nations.
Dr. Parker leads and collaborates on federally funded research initiatives addressing chronic disease, behavioral health, substance use, health disparities, and Indigenous health sovereignty. She publishes widely in public health and medical journals and is recognized nationally for her work to strengthen Native student pathways, Tribal health systems, research equity, and culturally centered approaches to health and recovery.
Dr. Parker also brings decades of governing board leadership experience, including 23 years of service with First Nations Community HealthSource in Albuquerque, including 13 years as President, and eight years with the Seneca Nation Health System. Her promotion to Distinguished Professor reflects not only academic excellence but also a lifelong commitment to community, Indigenous knowledge, and the health and well-being of Native peoples.
Her immediate family includes her husband, Marcello Maviglia, MD, MPH; her two sons, Thomas Parker, MS, MBA, and Lee Redeye, JD; her daughter-in-law, Sarah; and her grandchildren, Jayla, Livvi, Maxwell, Kai, and Kira. Dr. Parker’s large extended family, colleagues, students, and community celebrate this well-deserved recognition and honor the path she continues to make for future generations of Indigenous health leaders.
