Sadly, the Fellowship was informed that Dr. William Lawson passed away peacefully on July 11th, 2024 at the age of 89 years. In 1981, Dr. Lawson was inducted as an Active Fellow after being proposed by the Late Hugh Biller, MD and Max Som, MD.
Dr. Lawson completed his undergraduate education at New York University where he also attended dental school and medical school. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War (1967-69), Dr. Lawson advanced his training in otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Hospital under the leadership of Joseph Goldman. When Dr. Biller joined Mount Sinai in 1972, a year later, Dr. Lawson joined Dr. Biller where the two surgeon- scientists advanced the field contributing to the areas of conservation laryngeal surgery, head and neck reconstruction, and contributed seminal work in glomus neoplasms, sinus disease, and facial plastic surgery.
Aside from being a pioneer in the field of otolaryngology- head and neck surgery, he influenced a generation of residents, fellows, faculty, and staff. His eccentric personality and enthusiasm for academic otolaryngology was infectious, entertaining, and inspiring. With a sardonic sense of humor and down-to-earth sensibilities, he has touched us all and made a great impact on the field of otolaryngology- head and neck surgery.
Renowned for his expertise in primary and revision rhinoplasty and facial plastic surgery, his knowledge was encyclopedic. As an elected fellow to ten prestigious professional societies and a prolific author of over 270 publications, he shaped otolaryngology and maxillofacial surgery in countless ways. Rising to the position of Chief of Otolaryngology at the Veterans Administration Medical Center where he served for three decades, he also held pivotal roles as the Endowed Grabsheid Professor of Otolaryngology, Vice Chairman of the Department, and Director of the Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic, all while co-leading the Sinus Research Laboratory at Mount Sinai.
Beyond his accolades and achievements, Dr. Lawson was a wonderful and unique individual. He was dedicated to the field of otolaryngology in a profound way. Dr. Lawson’s recent passing is a resounding loss to the medical community. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence and compassion that will endure in the hearts of all who knew him.