In Memory
        of          
Dr. Charles Vanchiere

5/16/39 - 1/28/00

Dr. Vanchiere had been in private practice with the Children's Clinic since 1971 and also served as their CEO.  A native of Opelousas, he had lived in Lake Charles for 29 years. 

Dr. Vanchiere attended Tulane University and graduated from LSU School of Medicine in 1964.  He served his internship at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia and his pediatric residency at Brooke Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  He served as the battalion surgeon at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and as the chief of pediatric services at Fork Polk Army Hospital.

Dr. Vanchiere was a staff member at each of the local hospitals and served on various hospital committees throughout the area.  He helped organize the well-baby clinics at the parish health unit and helped establish EPSDT screening exams for Head Start.

He was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and by the American Academy of Pediatrics and was a member and immediate past president of the state chapter of the academy. He was a member of the Louisiana Medical Society and served on the board of governors and as the Seventh District Counselor. 

He was the organizer and president of the Pediatric Society of Southwest Louisiana and of the LSU Pediatric Alumni Association. He was the chairman of the Pediatric Advisory Committee to the state Medicaid program and was a member of the Physician Executive Committee of Blue Cross-Blue Shield. 

He was active in the Children's Miracle Network and received its "Miracle Makers" award in 1995 for outstanding service to the program. 

He was a former president of the St. Margaret School Board and was the past president of the diocesan school board and the St. Margaret Church Council. He was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.