Dr. Charles W. Vaughan

Dr. Charles Vaughan: Pioneering Otolaryngologist, Admired Teacher     1926 – 2014 

Vaughan, Charles William aged 87 of Hingham and previously Milton, Mass was an active and engaged Renaissance man who vigorously pursued his love of medicine, mentoring medical students, art, music and family until his final moments. He leaves behind Jo Anne, beloved wife and partner of almost 60 years whose support and attentiveness enabled him to accomplish much.

Dr. Vaughan, a veteran of WW2, is the former clinical associate professor, acting chair of otolaryngology, former director of the Residency Training Program in Otolaryngology at University Hospital and Chief Otolaryngologist at the VA Medical Center. 

A member of the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) community for more than 55 years, Dr. Vaughan was a consummate physician and gifted teacher who continued to teach residents and medical students in his retirement. He helped to create the most advanced program, at the time, for treating patients with conditions of the head and neck and for training succeeding generations of patient-centered surgeons. Along with M. Stuart Strong, former professor and chair of Otolaryngology at BUSM, he pioneered the use of the carbon dioxide laser in otolaryngology surgery as well as the development and utilization of instruments for microsurgery of the larynx and ear.

Dr. Vaughan earned his Bachelor of Science and Medical degrees from Case Western Reserve University. He completed his internship and residencies in surgery and otolaryngology at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital, as well as residencies at Beth Israel Hospital and the VA Medical Center, both in Boston. A prolific researcher, Dr. Vaughan authored more than 100 papers.

Dr. Vaughan’s profession also enabled him to indulge his love of music. Each year he spent a week at The Julliard School, taking classes to understand voice and teaching classes to help singers preserve their voices. For years he served as an on-call specialist to assist professional actors and singers performing at Boston’s theaters.

An accomplished artist, Dr. Vaughan photographed and painted grandchildren, children, friends and landscapes. Several of his paintings adorn the walls in the administrative office of the Department of Otolaryngology at BUSM. He also enjoyed golf for many years as a member at the Milton Hoosic Club and The Country Club of Brookline.

In addition to his wife Jo Anne, he is survived by his sister Lea Brown and husband Roger of Sewickley, PA; daughters Kimberly King and her husband Edward of Hingham, MA; Laura Vaughan and her husband Paul Andonian of New Bedford, MA; Lea Eliot and husband Scott of Newbury, MA; Amy Cohen and her husband Lawrence of Weston, CT; and grandchildren Charles King, Nick Eliot, Elizabeth Eliot, Henry Cohen, and Abigail Cohen.

Dr. Vaughan will be celebrated in a memorial service at 11 AM on May 10th at the Performance Art Center, Linden Ponds, 203 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA 02043. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Charles W. Vaughan, M.D. can be made to the Trustees of Boston University, indicating the “Strong Vaughan Professorship Fund” in the memo line. Please mail to Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, L219, Boston, MA 20118.