National and state AAP leader, Dr. Tayloe Sr., was medical home advocate

doi:10.1542/aapnews.2010318-36a

David T. Tayloe Sr., M.D., FAAP, of Washington, N.C., died June 25 at age 84.

Dr. Tayloe

“Dr. Dave” was well-known in the eastern North Carolina area for creating a medical home for families. There, he worked with local schools, hospitals, the department of social services, health department and mental health agencies to ensure all patients had access to continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate and culturally effective care.

Twice elected president of the North Carolina Pediatric Society/AAP North Carolina Chapter (1967-’68, 1981-’84), he also served as AAP Alternate District IV chair (1985-’88) and was a member of the AAP National Nominating Committee (1991-’94).

The North Carolina Pediatric Society created the David T. Tayloe Sr. Award for Outstanding Community Service in 1991, the highest honor from the chapter recognizing exceptional community or statewide contributions.

Dr. Tayloe was a driving force behind North Carolina’s push to become the first state to pass a vaccine injury compensation law in 1986. A lawsuit filed against him for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine damages asked for $3.5 million and settled at $1.1 million despite the fact that Dr. Tayloe’s maximum liability coverage was $700,000.

Despite losing both of his parents while in high school, Dr. Tayloe went on to receive his M.D. from University of Pennsylvania (1950) and complete a rotating internship at Medical College of Virginia before entering military service at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in 1950. He completed pediatric residency training at Duke University (1951-’52, 1954-’55) and served one year at Camp Lejeune. In 1955, he opened a practice in Washington, N.C., near Tayloe Hospital (named for his father and two uncles), known today as Beaufort County Medical Center. He retired in 1994.

The son of a physician, his family’s medical professional background dates back to the Civil War.

He is survived by five children, including David T. Tayloe Jr., M.D., FAAP, who served as AAP president in 2008-’09. He also leaves 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.