Walter Phelps Scott was born and raised in Marblehead, Massachusetts. He attended Marblehead High School followed by Harvard University. He attended Tuft's Medical School and then migrated to the South. He completed his training in radiation therapy at Emory University in Atlanta. He also trained at the Foundation Curie in Paris, France. He moved to Jacksonville in 1957 where he became the Doctor of Radiology at Duval Medical Center (Now University Medical Center). In 1965 he moved to Charlotte Memorial Hospital/Carolinas Medical Center for 10 years. He was enticed to move back to Jacksonville and became Director of the Charles Judson Williams Cancer Center in 1975. He is also currently Director of the St. John's Oncology Center in St. Augustine.

Dr. Scott is a pioneer in radiation therapy having developed special techniques involving the use of special devices in the treatment of cancer patients. He invented and developed the Scott Applicator and Scott Cartridge for use of radioactive implants in certain types of cancers. He was responsible for brining many special techniques for the use of radioactive implants in gynecological, prostate, and brain tumors to name a few.

Away from the medical side, Dr. Scott has many hobbies including collecting Pre-Columbian and African Art. The Jacksonville Art Museum contains a special section of art collected by Dr. Scott. He is an avid sailor and maintains a sailboat in Commanchee Cove. He also dabbles in photography, some of which is displayed at several of the cancer centers He has four children, five grandchildren and two recent great-grandchildren whom he immensely enjoys.

Dr. Wells says of Dr. Scott, "He is a true renaissance man who is not only the pioneer of cancer in Florida but also intimately involved in every aspect of life including the arts, sports, and philanthropy." Dr. Shyam Paryani added, "He is really the father of radiation therapy in North Florida and the founder of the Florida Radiation Oncology Group (F.R.O.G.) So, we affectionately refer to Dr. Scott as, 'BULLFROG.'