Houston Surgeon Dr. Thomas Taylor Shares His Experience Growing Up British

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Thomas Taylor moved to Houston after saying goodbye to his home country of England. Moving from his home village of Longridge to Houston, America’s fourth largest city, was a big change for the young doctor but one which has enriched his life and his career.

Dr. Thomas Taylor was born in the village of Longridge, a small town near the city of Preston in Lancashire. His family is well established in the small village, with a local history that stretches back several generations. With such strong familial ties to the area, Dr. Taylor stayed close to home while studying and during the beginning of his career.

While living in the area, Dr. Taylor became an ardent fan of cricket, a British sport played with a bat and ball, somewhat similar to American baseball. Growing up, Dr. Taylor played for Longridge and Chipping while he studied and held down a variety of small jobs. During his academic career, he worked in a corn mill, developed skills as a chair maker, worked in a dairy and even gained experience working with the local Lancashire County Council. He also stretched himself academically by studying both mechanics and engineering before he began his medical degree.

Once Dr. Taylor began to advance in his medical degree, he began moving further from home. When he was ready for his undergraduate degree, Dr. Taylor headed for the University of Edinburgh before finishing at the University of Manchester. When he was ready to go through his residency, he enrolled and practiced at different institutions in both Manchester and London.

These days, Dr. Thomas Taylor calls Houston home, but he still feels a strong connection with the United Kingdom. He maintains a home in Houston and also keeps an apartment in Manchester so that he can go home to visit often. He maintains dual citizenship for the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

Becoming a Respected Surgeon – Dr. Thomas Taylor Shares His Experience

Retired academic surgeon Dr. Thomas Taylor has a long career with both medicine and education. The recently retired Houston based doctor began his education back home in the UK where he studied at a number of Universities. He went on to become a fellow with the Royal College of Surgeons which helped him to conduct even more research and broaden his horizons.

Dr. Taylor was invited to relocate to Texas and work with the Baylor College of Medicine in the late 1980s, an opportunity he was quick to grab. Since then, he has also worked with University of Texas where was officially recognized as an outstanding member of the faculty. As an academic surgeon he has a keen understanding of the role education plays in becoming a surgeon. Now retired, he shares four pieces of advice to other aspiring doctors:

• Start Early – Focus on science classes in both middle and high school. This lays the groundwork for success in college as it teaches student discipline and gives them the fundamentals they need to understand the human body.
• Think Undergrad – Obtain an undergraduate degree in a related scientific field while you evaluate medical schools and programs.
• Don’t Limit Yourself – Take entrance exams and apply for several different medical school. This will give you more options in order to find a curriculum that appeals to your chosen field of interest.
• Leave University – Complete your residency in a thriving hospital in order to gain the experience, flexibility and quick thinking that will serve you well as a doctor. Dr. Thomas Taylor is a good example.

 

Ask Dr. Thomas Taylor – Are There Any Health Benefits to Singing?

When Dr. Thomas Taylor, an academic surgeon living in the Houston area, decided to retire, it meant he would have more time to pursue one of his favorite hobbies. Dr. Taylor has been involved with different singing groups throughout his life, starting as a young man in his native country of England. These days he is a proud member of Houston Symphony Choral Section and the Houston Choral Society. He is also an active member of the choir at St. Michael’s Church in Houston. Singing appeals to Dr. Taylor because he knows that it is a hobby that boasts a number of surprising health benefits.

Harmonic Cardio – By using proper singing and breathing techniques, singers can give their lungs a good workout as well as strengthening their diaphragm and core.

Lift Your Voice, Lift Your Mood – Singing has some impressive anti-depressant qualities. Music in general is strongly associated with mood boosting properties including having the power to release endorphins, part of the body’s natural feel-good system.

A Powerful Lullaby – Singing a soft song before bed isn’t the only way music can contribute to healthier sleep. Singing strengthens muscles in the mouth and along the throat which can help alleviate snoring, giving people a more restful night’s sleep.

Stamina Boost – The breathing control you need for singing means you learn to process more oxygen. Over time, this builds up the power of your lungs which can boost your lung capacity and cardiovascular system.

Get Focused – Singing properly requires a great deal of concentration in order to control breathing, tone, pitch and, of course, memorizing the words.

These are some of the physical benefits Dr. Thomas Taylor enjoys as a part of his favorite hobby. He enjoys sharing this information – and his passion for music – with fellow singers and musicians.