www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 63 tered treatment of arterial occlusive disease, aneurysmal disease, arterial dissection and hemodialysis access. “Thankfully, throughout my career, I have not been pigeonholed for one specific procedure,” Dr. Gaillard said. “Vascular surgeons operate over the whole body; we might prevent or treat a stroke one day and then save someone’s leg another.” “It’s not uncommon to treat one problem and unmask five others because everything is so connected,” he added. Dr. Gaillard is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both general and vascular surgery. Additionally, he is certified to read diagnostic vascular studies by the National Organization of Diagnostic Ultrasound. The most common issues and Dr. Gaillard and the CVVC team face are linked to limb-threatening diseases, most notably diabetes. “The prevalence of diabetes has skyrocketed, and early onset begins at a much younger age,” Dr. Gaillard explained. “At UAB, we had a limb-preservation clinic, and we were really aggressive about limb salvage.” “Losing a limb is like losing a loved one,” Dr. Gaillard said. “It’s important to offer patients as many options as possible so they can make decisions to avoid amputation. By building a relationship with our patients, offering options, patients often come to the realization that amputation is needed – if it is – on their own and with a sense of gratitude that they have a good life that is still ahead of them.” Though many people have a genetic predisposition for vascular diseases, it is “never too late to right the ship,” Dr. Gaillard noted. “With the correct medical regimen and the right diet and exercise plan, patients can see health benefits, even in the later stages of the disease.” Medical advances always buoy Dr. Gaillard and the CVVC team; yet Gaillard is a fan of leaning on the fundamentals of traditional vascular surgery as well. “Engineering and innovation enable us to perform less-invasive surgeries, especially with aneurism repairs,” Dr. Gaillard said. “Medical advances have revolutionized aneurism treatment in general. My thrill is seeing how traditional vascular surgery blends with the advances.” “I learned from great mentors who believed in me and taught me the right way – morally, clinically and technically – to do things,” Dr. Gaillard noted. “Their lessons follow me here.” In his spare time and throughout his medical residency, fishing is his go-to for relaxation and fun. “I’m a saltwater diehard,” Gaillard joked. “Fishing kept me going during residency; it was my meditation. Nothing beats a day on the water.” Of course, with all fishing comes fishing tales. “During residency, I took a trip to the Keys with a fellow resident and his family,” Gaillard said. “We caught a 50-inch mahi mahi. No lie.” Dr. Gaillard lives in Mount Pleasant. He is the son of William Foster Gaillard Sr. and Susan Gaillard of Charleston. One sister, Leize, also calls Charleston home, and another sister, Susan, lives in Houston with her husband, Ben. 1327 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29407 2575 Elms Center Rd., Ste. 200 Charleston, SC 29406 “ “ Dr. William Foster Gaillard Though many people have a genetic predisposition for vascular diseases, it is never too late to right the ship—with the correct medical regimen and the right diet and exercise plan, patients can see health benefits, even in the later stages of the disease.
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