Dr. Henry W. Foster Jr.
Teal funeral today
Dr. Grace P. Teal, assistant professor of Medicine in the division of Rheumatology, died of cancer Tuesday at her home in Nashville. She was 44.
A general rheumatologist with an interest in overuse injuries in musicians, Dr. Teal joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 1996 following medical education and training at VUMC, including a residency in Internal Medicine and three fellowships in Rheumatology. Her undergraduate degree in biology was from Washington University in St. Louis.
“She was a wonderful human being and a very compassionate physician,” said Dr. James W. Thomas, professor of Medicine and chief of the division of Rheumatology. “On numerous occasions I have received letters from patients who just wanted to express their appreciation for the care that Grace provided. That is a tribute to the kind of physician and person that she was. She gave us all a high standard to follow.”
Dr. Teal is survived by her husband Christian Teal, professor of Violin at the Blair School of Music, her daughter, Eleanor D. Teal, her mother, Mary Virginia Porterfield, and her sister, Katherine Porterfield.
Funeral services will be conducted today, 10 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Church Cathedral Music Fund or to a charity of your choice.