Cardiologist Dr. David Taylor, globally renowned for heart transplant work, dies at 60 of flu complications

Appreciating Cesar Pelli's buildings in Cleveland

The medical community is mourning the loss of David Taylor, a longtime, lauded Cleveland Clinic cardiologist who died from complications from the flu this month. (Courtesy Cleveland Clinic)Plain Dealer file

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The medical community is mourning the loss of Dr. David Taylor, a lauded Cleveland Clinic cardiologist who died from complications from the flu this month.

Taylor, globally renowned for his work around heart transplants and heart failure, died Feb. 5, the Cleveland Clinic confirmed Thursday. He was 60. A New Mexico native, Taylor spent 19 years working in cardiovascular medicine at the Clinic, developing a stellar reputation for keeping many patients alive.

“He was an outstanding leader and gifted teacher, highly respected by his colleagues and committed to his patients. He saved the lives of countless patients and will leave a lasting impact on them, as well as the many colleagues, trainees and friends he has touched over the years,” a statement from the Cleveland Clinic read.

Taylor was a past president of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. He also worked as a professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and helped educate hundreds of young cardiologists.

“A master clinician, mentor, teacher and role model, Taylor was our idol. We recognize that it is unusual to strive to emulate so many aspects of a single person; however, Taylor was the friend, colleague, physician, parent and spouse we now strive to be,” reads a statement from the American College of Cardiology remembrance.

Taylor’s peers at the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation remembered him as “a true leader in the field” and “the consummate clinician and a tenacious patient advocate.”

Taylor, graduated from Baylor University in Texas before earning his medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, according to his obituary. He lived in Shaker Heights and is survived by his wife and three children.

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