Event Honoring Garzas and Parkers Raises More Than $50,000 for National Jewish Health

Spirit of Achievement Award Dinner Benefits the Leading Respiratory Hospital in the Nation

Julian Garza and Clementina Garza, along with Linda H. and James M. Parker, received the National Jewish Health Spirit of Achievement Award at the 36^th Anniversary Spirit of Achievement Award Dinner on May 10, 2018, at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. The dinner committee, led by Sherman McCorkle, and more than 200 attendees raised over $50,000 to benefit care and research at National Jewish Health.
 

The funds raised at the dinner support care and research conducted at National Jewish Health. In 2017, nearly 400 New Mexicans received treatment at the hospital in Denver, with 95 of those people being from Albuquerque. Countless more benefited from the groundbreaking research conducted in the areas of respiratory, cardiac, immune and related diseases. Linda Parker spoke about how asthma research saved the life of her husband, James.

“Imagine waking up at 4 a.m. to the frightening, labored breathing sounds of your spouse,” Linda said. “Once we arrived at the hospital, Jim went into a laryngeal spasm preventing the insertion of the ventilation tube. The ER physicians worked a miracle, and not too long after this hospitalization he entered a research project to desensitize his allergy to ibuprofen which had caused the attack. He has not had an asthma attack since the trial. I have seen firsthand what research dollars can do.”

Much of the research and clinical trials conducted at National Jewish Health provide doctors across the world with new groundbreaking treatment options. National Jewish Health Associate Professor and Pulmonologist Anthony N. Gerber, MD, PhD, spoke about the latest in respiratory care, and shared that 10 of New Mexico’s own physicians completed fellowships at National Jewish Health. Committee member Debbie Johnson served as emcee and presented the Spirit of Achievement Award to each of the four honorees.

“We were delighted to be recognized by a renowned and world-class institution like National Jewish Health,” said Julian Garza.

Julian Garza, Clementina Garza and James M. and Linda H. Parker were all honored for their personal, business and civic achievements and what they have given back to the community of Albuquerque. The four of them have built a legacy of contributing their time, talents and resources in all areas of life.

James M. Parker is a top attorney in New Mexico and his wife Linda H. Parker founded several companies before becoming a leader in the Albuquerque nonprofit community. Julian Garza and Clementina Garza co-own and operate 12 McDonald’s restaurants in the Albuquerque metro area and northern New Mexico.

Colleagues and friends of committee member Jennifer Riordan supported the event in her honor. Riordan tragically lost her life less than a month before the event. The committee led a moment of silence for her and her family.

Sponsoring the 2018 event were the following people and couples: Society of Fellows Sponsors Garza Enterprises, Inc./McDonald’s; PDG, Inc.; and Bob Feinberg/Tom Jones & Colliers International; Inner Circle Sponsors Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, P.A.; and Wells Fargo Bank;. Table Patron Sponsors Central New Mexico Community College; Jim Rogers, Jr.; Keleher Realty; Sandia Science & Technology Park Development Corporation; Titan Development; and UNM Health Sciences Center.

The 2018 committee included Co-Chair Sherman McCorkle*, Sandia Science & Techonology Park; Harold Albert, Majama, LLC, Realtors; Dale Dekker*, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini; Christine* & Joe* DiGregorio; Robert Feinberg, Colliers | International; Joanne Fine; Harris Hartz; Debbie Johnson, CNM Community College; Tom Jones, Colliers | International; Krista Koss Parker, Cafeteria Plan Company; Georgie Ortiz, CliftonLarsonAllen; Jennifer Riordan, Wells Fargo; Jim Rogers Jr., Sunland Development; Michael Stanford*, Payday, Inc.

*National Jewish Health New Mexico Regional Trustees

For more information about the event, please contact Clem Connolly at 303.728.6546 or ConnollyC@njhealth.org.