"I'm not your usual kind of doctor" -- How Carl Taylor learned about and taught social justice, equity, and empowerment

Carl Taylor's enthusiasm and effectiveness evolved from deep engagement with the people, places, and problems around him. Apparently hopeless situations were greeted with clear analysis and unquenchable optimism; necessary skills for a boy roaming the Indian Jungle. Numerous tributes following his death describe how he encouraged colleagues and students to "turn crisis into opportunity." This mentoring often happened "in the field." These were carefully designed to challenge capabilities, with minimal trauma. Many are familiar with his use of metaphor and carefully timed twists of humor. Less well known is his intentional use of "case studies" and "teaching tales". Throughout the 1970's he developed his career through "reflective listening" on expert panels, systematically developing the essential skill of being a good "rapporteur". His method of negotiating compromise was to constantly return the focus to the needs of the community. His WHO handbook on Health Systems Research, his background papers for the Alma Ata conference, and his framing of concepts in the SEED-SCALE model, articulate a scholarly approach to otherwise intangible issues - first the synergism of nutrition and infection, later the power of longitudinal community based trials, and in his 90's the essential importance of empowering women to take necessary health actions. At the end of this presentation, attendees will be asked to internalize his example by identifying at least one concrete action they can take to validate and extend the principles of Primary Health Care established at the Alma Ata conference.