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AAFP Honors Robert B. Taylor, M.D., with John G. Walsh Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Contact:
Amanda Denning
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237, Ext. 5223
adenning@aafp.org

NEW ORLEANS — Robert B. Taylor, M.D., of Portland, Ore., was named the recipient of the John G. Walsh Award by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Established in 1973, the John G. Walsh Award recognizes dedicated, long-term, effective leadership toward advancing the development of family medicine. The award is one of the highest honors presented by the AAFP.

Taylor is professor of family medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. With an interest in family medicine that reaches across international borders, Taylor is known in family medicine circles throughout the world as a book editor, professor, and expert on issues facing family physicians from around the world.

As chairman for the committee on scientific program for the 2004 meeting of the World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca), Taylor is planning a scientific program that covers healthcare topics common to family physicians internationally. He has given presentations about primary care to organizations and institutions spanning the globe. Taylor’s presentations include “Primary Care in the USA and Worldwide” at the Chinese Medical Association, “Management of Hypertension” at the Orientale University School of Medicine in Argentina, “Family Practice Worldwide” at the Egypt Family Medicine Conference and “Family Medicine – Diversity and Harmony in the Evolving Era” at the Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference.

Taylor is the author of a variety of reference books including Family Medicine: Principles and Practice; Fundamentals of Family Medicine; The 10-Minute Diagnosis; and Common Problems in Office Practice.

Taylor has served on the editorial boards of numerous publications including The Female Patient, The Journal of Family Practice and American Family Physician. He has also served as a peer reviewer for several journals including the Journal of the American Medical Association and Archives of Family Practice.

In 1998, the AAFP honored Taylor with the Thomas W. Johnson Award for outstanding contributions to family practice education. In 1993 the Oregon Health & Sciences University graduating medical class presented Taylor with the J. David Bristow Award, which recognizes a senior faculty member who exemplifies the ideals of a true physician.

Taylor is a member of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and served on their board of directors from 1984 to 1988. He is also a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges, the International Center for Family Medicine, the North American Primary Care Research Group and the American Medical Association.

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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents more than 93,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

Nearly one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 215 million office visits each year – nearly 48 million more than the next medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide the majority of care for America’s underserved and rural populations.

In the increasingly fragmented world of health care where many medical specialties limit their practice to a particular organ, disease, age or sex, family physicians are dedicated to treating the whole person across the full spectrum of ages. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.

To learn more about the American Academy of Family Physicians and about the specialty of family medicine, please visit www.aafp.org.

For more information about the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care and downloadable multi-media on family medicine and health care, visit the AAFP Media Center.

For more information about health care, health conditions, and wellness, please visit familydoctor.org.