General neurology specialist joins Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics
By Julie Kirchem, Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics
DALLAS - May 1, 2011 - Joseph Vaughan, M.D., has joined the Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics as a general neurologist specialist with expertise in treating pain and headache. Dr. Vaughan had been a locum tenens physician for the past several years working primarily as a neurohospitalist. Previously, he had a solo practice in Tyler, Texas.
Dr. Vaughan is a general neurologist and will be part of the new Division of General Neurology and Headache. Currently, Dr. Vaughan treats patients at the Neurology Clinic in the James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center.
"One of the advantages of being here is not only can I practice general neurology and see interesting cases," he said, "if a specialist is needed I can send the patient to some of the best people in their field right here at UT Southwestern."
One of Dr. Vaughan's interests is non-narcotic pain management.
"I found this niche of pain and headache patients who wanted to get better and didn't want narcotics," he said. "You can do tremendous things for those people if they're willing to not take narcotics, and willing to get the tests done."
One of the most important tests Dr. Vaughan has found in successfully treating headache patients is a sleep study. He says if a patient's sleep can be regulated, headaches are usually greatly reduced.
Dr. Vaughan also enjoys teaching and plans to add classroom duties soon.