As a young girl, growing up in the sixties, Nancy Teaff looked to a career in teaching—like the other women in her family. She did well in school and headed off to Smith College. Then her world changed. The “great co-education of the Ivy League” was underway, along with the opening of medical school enrollment to more women. Nancy transferred to Princeton University graduating in the first class to have women enrolled from freshman year. She moved to North Carolina and attended UNC School of Medicine, where she met her husband, Byron Walthall (a native Charlottean). They just celebrated their 47th anniversary and have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren (with one more on the way!).
After completing her residency in OB/GYN at Wayne State University in 1982, Nancy joined the Monroe Woman’s Clinic as the first woman partner in a previously all-male OB/GYN group in the region. In the mid-1980s, she headed to Detroit to complete a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) and then returned to Charlotte. Practicing REI in Charlotte for 28 years, Nancy retired in 2016. In addition to private practice, Nancy wrote a book with Kim Wiley, Perimenopause: Preparing for the Change and lectured extensively on menopause, as well as infertility topics. She gives an annual lecture to the Health Law and Ethics graduate course at UNCC; the ethics of reproduction and associated technologies are particularly important to her.
Nancy is most proud of founding Charlotte Youth Rowing, a community rowing (crew) team started in 2000 and still going strong. Along with her husband, they have volunteer coached since 2002 and taken several of their crews to the US Rowing Youth National Championships. They strive for diversity and inclusion; their motto is “Be Kind. Row Hard.”
In 2016, Nancy joined WIF. For the last four years, she has served on the Health and Human Services grants committees. Her favorite time on the grants team was when they recommended a grant to Planned Parenthood. Nancy felt like WIF was stepping up to serve a real need specifically for women. Her advice to new members is “get involved.” Even if you can’t fit a committee into your schedule, come to the educational and social events. She is amazed at how much she has learned about Charlotte and current issues since becoming a WIF member, not to mention the fantastic women met along the way.
In retrospect, she sees much to be grateful for. She has found the importance of expressing gratitude to those who have made a difference in her life. That can be in person, to friends and family, or in written form to professors, counselors, mentors, etc. These messages make such a difference, adding meaning to the life of the recipient, but also to the one giving gratitude. As we all are trying to make an impact, it’s good to know that someone notices!
