Capt James Parris

Parris has participated in Habitat for Humanity and volunteered as a YMCA soccer coach.

Parris volunteered to serve a tour of duty in Gardez, Af­ghan­istan, in 2008. His flight commander, Lt. Col. Mark A. Antonacci, said Parris' performance throughout the mission was "incredible."

"Many of these significant tasks did not fall within the typical job description for an Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant," Antonacci said in nominating Parris for Air Force Times' Airman of the Year. "Capt. Parris has had a huge impact on his deployed unit and the host nation."

Parris is about to return from deployment to Afghanistan with the Provincial Reconstruction Team. In addition to providing medical care for service members and local civilians, he arranged staff and medical supplies for clinics, and contributed suggestions for the construction of $7.5 million hospital and a $4 million midwife training facility. He also participated in "Strong Foods," a program designed to improve nutrition in Afghan children.

A jack of all trades, Parris also is an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor, a Counter-Insurgency Effects Group member and a Battalion Aid Station Medical Liaison.
At home, Parris is involved in community service at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.