Dr Parkinson graduated from medicine at the University of Sydney in 1998. He undertook his advanced neurosurgical training at Royal North Shore Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Sydney Children's Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

During his specialist training, Dr Parkinson completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney where he studied the molecular biology of brain tumours. As well as his surgical work, Dr Parkinson is continuing his brain tumour research.

On completion of his specialist training Dr Parkinson studied further at the University of Calgary, Canada, where he completed a clinical fellowship with the world-renowned University of Calgary Spine Program. He further developed his expertise in minimally invasive (‘keyhole’) spine surgery, surgery for degenerative spine conditions and treatment of metastatic disease to the spine.

Since commencing practice in 2011, Dr Parkinson has further developed his involvement in Neuro-oncology where he is the Chair of the NSWOG Neuro-oncology committee of the Cancer Institute of NSW. He also remains an active member of the Co-operative Group of Neuro-oncology (COGNO) where he is on the organising committee for their annual scientific meeting, as well as being on the organising committee of the annual scientific meeting of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia.

As a VMO at Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, Dr Parkinson has been offering Neurosurgical services to the population of the Central Coast since 2011.

Dr Parkinson’s surgical focus is on spinal surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, skull base surgery and brain and spinal tumours.