Dr. M. Stuart Strong, an Active Fellow inducted in 1975, passed away on Wednesday, November 06, 2019 at this home surrounded by family. He was elevated to Emeritus status in 1990.
Dr. Strong grew up on a farm in Kells, Ireland, the youngest of six children. Educated in Ireland at Trinity College and University College Dublin School of Physics, Dr. Strong came to Boston University School of Medicine in 1952 after completing residencies at the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital in Dublin, Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Boston. Four years later, he was named chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at Boston University School of Medicine and chief of Otolaryngology at University Hospital (now the Boston
Medical Center), and subsequently became director of Otolaryngology at Boston City Hospital – positions he held until 1985. In 1968 he joined forces with Dr. Werner Chasin, then chairman of the Tufts training program, and together they formed the BU-Tufts Combined Training Program in Otolaryngology, which lasted for 25 years.
Dr. Strong’s contagious enthusiasm for scientific discovery led to an historic collaboration with other ALA Fellows, Drs. Geza Jako, Charles Vaughan and Thomas Polanyi, to develop the use of the carbon dioxide laser to treat diseases of the upper aerodigestive tract. This ‘minimally invasive’ transoral approach to these diseases changed the face of laryngology forever and improved the lives of countless patients.
Dr. Strong served as president of the American Laryngological Association in 1982; the Triological Society, the American Broncho-Esophagological Association and the Society of University Otolaryngologists. Beyond his academic achievements, throughout his life he pursued his interests outside of work with the same passion that he showed for his professional work. He was an avid tennis player, golfer and fisherman. In his retirement years he also developed an interest in woodworking and flying model airplanes.
Dr. Strong was a true visionary in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery who always will be remembered for his professionalism, innovation, enthusiasm for teaching, compassionate care of patients, and his unwavering respect for others. He had a profound impact on countless otolaryngologists throughout the world and he will be sorely missed.