Alice Taylor, M.D., Receives Distinguished Physician Award

Annual Highland Hospital award honors physicians who exemplify commitment to highest standards of care

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Alice Taylor, M.D., is the recipient of Highland Hospital’s Distinguished Physician Award for 2012. Dr. Taylor joined Highland as a pediatrician in the Highland Family Maternity Center in 2005. For the past three years, she also has served as Medical Director of the Special Care Nursery.

“This award truly is a privilege, and I am honored my colleagues would nominate me,” said Dr. Taylor, who is the sixth recipient of the annual award.

A selection committee of physicians, nurses and hospital administrators chose Dr. Taylor from Highland’s medical staff. She received more than 20 nominations from her colleagues, including physicians, nurses, mid-level providers and social workers.

“Dr. Taylor has been a tremendous asset and is a big reason our team works so well together,” said Ronnie Guillet, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Pediatrics at Highland. “I can think of no one who is more deserving of this honor.”

“I love interacting with my colleagues as well as babies and their families,” Dr. Taylor said. “Sometimes it can be challenging, but I try to look at each case from the parents’ perspective and think how I would want to be treated. I try to be reassuring and also honest with them.”

In nominating Dr. Taylor for this award, colleagues described her as a “calming and supportive presence,” and a “tireless advocate for Family Maternity Center patients and staff.”

“Dr. Taylor is one of Highland’s unknown stars because she works night shifts,” said Jeff Harp, M.D., a Highland Family Medicine provider and previous winner of the Distinguished Physician Award. “She truly cares about the well-being of patients, families and staff with whom she works.”

“Dr. Taylor models patient- and family-centered care,” said Cindy Proukou, RN, CPNP. “Recognizing that having an infant admitted to the Special Care Nursery is difficult for new families, Dr. Taylor makes time to engage and talk with parents, either at the bedside or by going out to the parents’ rooms, often on her own time.”

“While her technical skills, knowledge and expertise are notable, it is Dr. Taylor’s compassion, enthusiasm and selfless giving that defines the extraordinary provider that she is,” said Mary Ellen Schumacher, RNC, a nurse leader in the Family Maternity Center.

Dr. Taylor has been a pediatrician for 14 years. In addition to her roles at Highland, she sees patients twice a week at her private practice, Sunrise Pediatrics. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Taylor earned her medical degree from Indiana University. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree at Purdue University, Dr. Taylor worked as a pharmacist for five years.

Dr. Taylor will be recognized with the Distinguished Physician Award at the Highland Hospital Gala Saturday, March 16 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.