From filling prescriptions … to writing them
Dr. Frederick Taylor retires after 43 years
By STEPHEN FLANAGAN JACKSON
Dr. Frederick Taylor of BayCare Medical Group has retired after 43 years. He will be missed by multiple generations of patients that he has cared for in the area.
After starting his professional career in health care as the one who filled the prescriptions, Dr. Frederick Taylor switched gears to obtain his degree and certification as a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy). Now, 43 years later, Dr. Taylor is the one writing the prescriptions. However, he recently wrote his last prescription, as, after 43 years as a physician, Taylor has retired from the practice of medicine and from the BayCare Medical Group in Riverview.
Taylor is a physician with the D.O. degree instead of the M.D. degree. Physicians with a D.O. are fully licensed in all 50 states to practice medicine and surgery, as well as to prescribe medications. The education for both degrees is similar, and both are required to complete accredited medical residencies. There are some differences in the training and philosophy of health care. Doctors of osteopathy are trained to partner with patients to help them get healthy; they emphasize a whole-person approach to treatment and care.
Dr. Taylor has been a staple in the community for many years, he has treated multiple generations of the same patient families in the area.
In between his busy practice at BayCare and his transition to exiting, Taylor engaged in an interview about his practice of medicine. He responded to the questions below:
Q
How long have you been a physician in Hillsborough County?
A
I have been a physician here for 43 years.
Q
What type of medical practice?
A
I’m a Family Practice Physician.
Q
What did you do professionally before your present work?
A
I was a pharmacist.
Q
Where did you grow up, attend high school, and attend college?
A
I went to Vassar High School in Vassar, Mich., and finished up my senior year of high school at Spring Vale Academy in Owosso, Mich. I received my degree in pharmacy from Ferris State Collage in Big Rapids, Mich. In 1974 I graduated from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. From there, I moved to Mt. Clemons, Mich. and did a rotating internship. In 1975 I moved to Tampa and opened my first family practice office, which was located on Westshore Boulevard. In 1977 I opened a family practice office in Apollo Beach. In 2013, I moved my practice to the BayCare Medical Group Primary Care facility, which is located on Big Bend Road in front of St. Joseph’s Hospital–-South.
Q
What are some of the challenges of your D.O. practice — now and as compared to when you first started?
A
The biggest challenge is trying to find a balance between my private life and my work. There is a significant amount of after-hours work that goes into preparing for the next day in the office. When I first started in practice in the 1970s, the majority of work could be accomplished during the office hours. But now there is quite a bit of preparation to assure my patients receive everything they need. Insurance involvement in patient care has increased significantly.
Q
What gives/gave you a sense of contentment and satisfaction with your practice?
A
I would say just having the privilege to take care of my patients and knowing they trust me to make decisions about their health care. It is very exciting to know that patients are achieving a better level of health because they are following our recommendations and instructions. There is a true sense of gratification watching my patients improve and overcome their health issues. This excitement has not diminished during the past 43 years of practice. It’s also great to work with team members in my practice who have the same level of commitment to patient care and who go above and beyond to care for our patients.
Q
What advice would you have for a young person concerning practicing medicine?
A
I have never been unhappy that I chose medicine as my vocation. Nothing makes me happier than interacting with my patients. This is truly a great profession. I would recommend that they consider joining a group practice like BayCare Medical Group to help them balance their personal and professional time appropriately. After all, you must take care of yourself in order to better serve your patients.
Q
What is/was your favorite type of work as a D.O.?
A
I personally love donating time to help patients who cannot obtain care any other way, like the work I do with Sister Sara Proctor, who coordinates the Catholic Charities free mobile medical bus. I also enjoyed doing house calls. When I first started my practice in 1975, I did quite a bit of house calls to see patients who could not get to the office. I enjoyed this interaction with my patients on a totally different scale.
Q
What is the short term and long-term outlook for the South Shore area?
A
The South Shore area has seen rapid growth during the past several years. Like many residents in the area, I would like to see infrastructure in place that will improve access to the interstate.
Q
Anything you would like to add, either about your business or your personal/family life?
A
I will miss my office family a great deal, and also all of my patients.
