Caribbean injects National Medical Association of America – Part Two of a Two-Part Series

By Cloreth Green

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Dr Winston Vaughan – He was asked to pay tribute to Dr Halda Shaw at the establishment of the ‘Halda Claudius Shaw, DDS. MD. MS. (ORL) Award’ two years ago.

Could he have envisioned that one year later he would be honoured as one of the first recipients of this coveted and prestigious accolade? “I could not believe it”, he exclaims. “My dad is an eye surgeon in Jamaica (Dr Hugh L Vaughan). When I told my parents about the achievement they were also honored, especially since Dr Shaw is their friend!!”

Dr Winston Vaughan, MD specializes in orbital and sinus surgery, and in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat). He is the co-founder and director of the California Sinus Centers. The first of its kind on the US West Coast to “offer comprehensive medical and surgical care for chronic sinusitis by a fellowship-trained Otolaryngologist”, the Sinus Center has locat ions across several cities in the State of California.

Dr Vaughn proudly poses with his award and gift. With him is Dr Lisa Perry-Gilkes, Chair of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, NMAA.

He has the distinction of performing the first live balloon sinuplasty in the US (also served as a consultant to the company which developed the technology – Acclarent Inc), and designed the first set of advanced endoscopic instruments for sphenoidotomy and surrounding procedures. He is credited with contributing to new treatment options for patients across the Western USA in the management of difficult chronic sinus cases, based on his research on the use of nebulized medications.

Since 2006, Dr Vaughan has been serving as the Deputy Chief of Community ENT/OHNS at the Stanford University Medical Centre.

Born in Kingston Jamaica, Winston Vaughan attended the Jamaica College before migrating to the United States and becoming a student of the Johns Hopkins University in 1983. He completed his doctor of medicine degree at the Stanford School of Medicine nine years later, and his post-doctoral and residency training were done at the Georgia Rhinology Sinus Centre and Stanford University Medical Centre respectively. His accomplishments in medical research and practice have resulted in him holding several distinguished positions, including: Director for the Caribbean Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Course (since 2000), a Reviewer of the American Journal of Rhinology and of the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Journal (since 2001 and 2002 respectively), past Chair of the Education Committee, American Rhinologic Society (2002-2004), and Course Director for the Annual Jamaica Sinus Course.

Dr Vaughan has made presentations across the United States, in Canada, the Caribbean and in Europe. His writings have been published in numerous medical articles and book chapters. He has served as the Director of the scientific advisory board of Sinus Pharmacy, and has consulted for companies such as Sinus Pharma Inc, Allux, BrainLab Surgical Navigation, Exploramed and GE Navigation (formerly VTI). Companies such as Bayer, Ortho-McNeil and Meda have engaged him as a speaker. His research into the development of better software and hardware for the treatment of the sinus disease has led to several software changes for surgical navigation.

A member of several professional organizations, Dr Vaughan’s associations include: the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society (aka: Trilogical Society), the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and the Caribbean Association of Otolaryngologists. He is the 2005 recipient of the Academy of OTO/HNS Foundation Inc Recognition Award for Courses.

On a personal note, Winston Vaughan enjoys living in San Francisco: “the weather is great for almost anything – swimming, running, wine tasting, and dancing all night on the weekends”. He feels particular pride at the fact that he was eligible to vote in the historic 2008 American Presidential Elections.

Dr Jimmy Brown

He has been educated at the George Washington University School of Medicine (Doctorate of Medicine), the New York Medical College (Gross Anatomy), the Howard University College of Dentistry (Doctor of Dental Surgery), New York University (Bachelor of Arts). He completed his internship at the Georgetown University Medical Centre, his residency at King/Drew Medical Centre, and fellowships at the Stanford University Medical Centre and the University College of Los Angeles. His teacher and mentor was Dr Lisa Perry-Gilkes. He is one of the two first recipients of the NMAA’s ‘Halda Claudius Shaw, DDS. MD. MS. (ORL) Award’, and states that he “is delighted and honoured to share the award with my colleague Dr Winston Vaughan”. His interest in under-served, at-risk and minority populations in no way detracts from his achievements as a medical practitioner. In fact, these only serve to enhance the profile of Dr Jimmy Brown, DDS, MD, FACS.

A laser-trained physician of Jamaican origin, Dr Brown currently serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University Medical Centre (since September 2007) and as Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Charles R Drew University, School of Medicine & Science Residency Training Programme. He is noted for introducing the Microvascular Flap Programme at the King/Drew Medical Centre, and has a keen interest in head and neck oncological surgery. Additionally, he has been a consultant to: the Research Instrument Panel and Advisory Board (design and improvement of surgical instruments) for Smith & Nephew Inc; the Caribbean Association of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) as a member of the Academic Advisory Committee; and the University of the West Indies Department of Surgery OHNS as a faculty member.

Dr Brown and his colleagues Dr Sofia Avitia from Cedar’s Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles (centre) and Dr Helen Xu, a graduate of Jianjang University, China, on the occasion of the commemoration of the first JCI Accredited Public Hospital in China..

Dr Brown’s philanthropy finds him actively participating in an ongoing ‘International Community Healthcare Project’ hosted by the Charles Drew University for rural areas of the Caribbean and other regions of the world. He has also worked as special events project manager for the recruitment and cancer screening of paediatric and adult patients at the (American) College of Dentistry’s 4th Annual Health Fair. His role as a volunteer to the American Cancer Society reaped huge dividends when policy revisions were made based on his findings from a hospital survey on dental treatment protocols for head & neck cancer patients in the Greater Washington area.

And it is not only his skills as a practitioner that has arrested the attention of the medical community. Dr Brown has been invited to lecture and has made presentations to various professional medical organizations (including the American Academy of Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery) in North America, Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and in the Caribbean. He has researched and authored numerous articles, book chapters and papers for publication: one soon to be released is entitled ‘Airway Changes from Chronic Cocaine Use (Implication for Management during Routine Airway Surgical Procedures)’. He has done editorial reviews for medical journals, publications and research papers, and has served on several university and hospital committees. His professional memberships span a number of societies and organizations.

His list of professional awards includes: the ‘Meritorious Service Award’ from the US Army Medical Corps for outstanding service in the capacity of Chief, Division of OHNS, Fort Leonardwood; from the Howard University College of Dentistry – ‘Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Award’ for Exceptional Ability in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, the ‘Percy Fitzgerald Memorial Award’ for Excellence in Dentistry (Certificate of Merit), the ‘Estelle Coffey Young Award’ for Clinical Proficiency in Dentistry and the ‘Dr George Wade Award’ for Outstanding Performance in General Dentistry; the ‘American Cancer Society Dental Clerkship’: Prosthetics Division of Head & Neck Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital.

But behind this sturdy foundation of medical professionalism resides a man of many hidden facets. Jimmy Brown has been enjoying a love relationship with his wife Denise for over two decades. Darien, their only child, could be described as a ‘dare devil’ of sorts, being a professional in extreme sports.

Dr Brown hits the right note at the Charles Drew University Jazz Festival.

Jimmy is a musician, and has played the guitar in several bands, the Jamaican band ‘AX of Jah Postles being one example. The most prominent accomplishment in this area of pursuit is that of leading his own band, ‘The Doctors Crueue Band’. Band members – all of whom have played for the group ‘Burning Spear’ in past years are: Lenford Richards (Jimmy’s music teacher), Nelson Miller and Devon Bradshaw.

At the 2007 staging of the annual Charles Drew University Jazz Festival, they backed Jamaican artiste President Brown and brought the house down!

And there is more. Jimmy played DaCosta Cup soccer for Titchfield High School in Jamaica, which won him a scholarship to New York University. He also played cricket, table tennis and chess, and participated in track and field while at Titchfield. Yet none of these is his all time favourite sporting passion. Jimmy loves fishing, and confesses that “I can do this without eating for days”. One of his most memorable Jamaican moments was winning the ‘Portland Home Coming Association Award’ for his contribution in the field of medicine. The fact that his mother was there to witness the occasion made his joy complete.

Cloreth Greene, ABC, MCIM, is a training and communications consultant specializing in developing/implementing training interventions, public speaking, marketing/public relations, and writing. She invites your comments at [email protected].