HICKORY, N.C. — Dr. James Barry Broselow, whose groundbreaking work in pediatric emergency medicine continues to save lives around the world, died on Feb. 20, 2025. He was 82.
Broselow, an emergency physician, entrepreneur and innovator, is best known for co-developing the Broselow Tape, a color-coded reference tool that revolutionized pediatric emergency care, according to his obituary. Created in 1985 in collaboration with Dr. Robert Luten, the Broselow Tape standardized weight-based medication dosing and equipment sizing for children, reducing errors and streamlining treatment in high-stress situations. Nearly four decades later, the tape remains a critical tool for EMS providers and emergency departments worldwide.
“Learning to use the Broselow tape as a paramedic student increased my confidence in caring for ill and injured children,” said Greg Friese, MS, NRP, editorial director for Lexipol Media Group. “Dr. Broselow helped train and support generations of pediatric caregivers and will be long remembered for creating this care aid and resource.”
Broselow’s contributions to emergency medicine extended beyond his famous tape. He held numerous patents and spent his later years focused on developing new medical innovations, his obituary states. At the time of his death, he was working with Duke University Medical Center on a communication-based technology to improve transitions of care in emergency settings.
Born on Jan. 12, 1943, Broselow grew up in Franklinville, New Jersey. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Dartmouth College in 1965 before pursuing medicine at the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry, where he graduated in 1969. He initially worked as a family physician before transitioning to emergency medicine, practicing in Michigan and North Carolina until his retirement from clinical work in 2006.
Throughout his career, Broselow was widely regarded as a pioneer in emergency medicine. His work has been credited with improving patient outcomes, particularly in pediatric emergencies, where quick, accurate dosing and treatment decisions are critical.
Beyond his professional achievements, Broselow was known for his sharp wit, his love for simple joys — such as golf and oyster nights — and his unwavering devotion to his family, according to his obituary. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Ella Taylor; his daughter, Sabrina Moser, and her family; and his siblings, Dr. Robert Broselow, Eileen Broselow Falciani and Nancy Broselow.
