Parker’s Kitchen celebrated a ribbon cutting for the new Gregory M. Parker Emergency Department at Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 29. All six emergency departments throughout Roper St. Francis Healthcare were formally named in honor of Parker’s Kitchen founder and CEO Gregory M. Parker, who donated $5 million to the system.

The $5 million gift—the largest in the system’s history—established the Roper St. Francis Foundation Parker’s Community Impact Fund, which supports uninsured and underinsured residents throughout the greater Charleston area, as well as healthcare provider support initiatives at Roper St. Francis Healthcare.

“Ensuring teammates’ success while serving our patients and community are central to Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mission,” Dr. Megan Baker, Roper St. Francis Healthcare interim president and CEO, said. “This $5 million gift from the Parker’s Community Fund will help us advance that mission boldly. As a physician who sees the direct impact this gift has on patients and caregivers, Mr. Parker’s commitment is inspiring to us all.”

Parker praised Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s rich history of fulfilling its mission and said he hopes the gift will help expand access to emergency care for all.

“Parker’s Kitchen and Roper St. Francis Healthcare share the same commitment to excellence and serve the same community in Charleston,” Parker said. “We know that the ER is the ‘front door’ to the hospital. According to the CDC, nearly 136 million patients go through emergency rooms in the United States annually, which is one-third of the U.S. population. Emergency rooms take care of everyone, regardless of their age, race or faith—and that’s true at Parker’s Kitchen as well.”

The Roper St. Francis Foundation Parker’s Community Impact Fund will continue to enhance existing system priorities, including:

• Roper St. Francis Greer Transitions Clinic, an outpatient clinic for the underserved.
• Assistance for uninsured and underinsured patients.
• Debt-free degree programs and career development for Roper St. Francis Healthcare teammates.
• Youth apprenticeships.
• On-the-job training for historically marginalized communities.