COLTON PARSONS
Navy SEAL, US Navy - 8 years of service
DeSales University / Physician's Assistant
Colton was born and raised in Quakertown, PA and from a young age was attracted to becoming a Navy SEAL following 9/11. Following senior year of high school, Colton enlisted in the Navy to pursue that dream. He completed Navy SEAL training and then completed special operation combat medic training. Colton became lead medic for his east coast platoon and deployed to east Africa twice.
Early in his first deployment, Colton learned that it was often his medical skills that resulted in the greatest impact on people’s lives. Realizing his love of medicine was growing, he completed his bachelor’s degree in emergency action and disaster response from George Washington University during deployments and training.
After 8 years in the SEAL teams, Colton decided to leave the military to start a family with his wife and pursue a medical career in the civilian world. He will be matriculating into the class of 2024 Physician Assistant Program at DeSales University to continue to serve people in need while supporting the community he lives in. His goal is to use medicine to build relationships, find the good in everyone, and possibly turn someone’s life around; things he also achieved with medicine on his deployments.
Colton is honored to be a Glen Doherty Scholarship recipient and join this supportive community as he continues to transition out of the military. He aims to honor Glen Doherty in finding the good in everyone and to practice lifelong learning to be the best husband, father and Physician Assistant he can be.
Colton wrote to express his thanks after his first year in his Physician's Assistant program at DeSales University:
"My professors have been impressed with my experiences participating in healthcare around the world and in combat zones, so much so that they have asked me to share my experiences with the class to broaden their horizons.
The GDMF scholarship has allowed me to focus on my schooling and relieve the stress of finding additional funding. Being a GDMF scholar also motivates me to represent the GDMF community and the SEAL community with dignity. Every day I strive to perform my best and create a positive impact in my community."