Thank you to our 2024 Honorary Chairs
Don and Joan Parlee
Not only are they long-time supporters of the VIA, Doylestown Hospital, Doylestown Health, and many other community groups, but this is their second time as honorary chairs of the Bucks County Designer House & Gardens. Don and Joan, met at Ursinus College, in Collegeville, and have spent over 60 years supporting each other, their four children and their grandchildren, and their many interests and charities.
Don Parlee worked for 43-years as a board-certified radiologist at Doylestown Hospital. He helped to grow the hospital’s radiology department from one physician to 20 radiologists, was its chief for 25 years, and established its School of Radiologic Technology. He also served in the U.S. Army for two years, receiving a Bronze Star for his time in Vietnam. Don has given back to his profession more broadly through his involvement as president of the Bucks County Medical Society, vice chair of the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and for a decade as a delegate to the American Medical Association.
Joan Parlee taught high school science before focusing on her family and volunteer interests. She helped the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Bucks County in the 1970s, then joined the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown in the early 1990s. She was a president of the VIA and then the Chair of the Doylestown Hospital and the Doylestown Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees from 2016-2022. In recognition of her outstanding character, strong leadership, and spirit of service, Doylestown Health created The Joan Parlee Chairman’s Award in her honor. Joan has also been involved with the Questers, a society devoted to historic preservation, restoration, and education. For her leadership and tireless dedication, Joan was honored with the 2018 Bucks County Women’s History Month Award.
