Joseph “Ted” Gillespie, MD

Born as the son of esteemed medical professionals Dr. Mike and Francis Gillespie, Dr. Joseph Ted Gillespie inherited a passion for healthcare and healing from an early age. He pursued his undergraduate education at USL and later graduated from Creighton University, a strong academic foundation. His commitment to advancing medical knowledge led him to engage in post-baccalaureate research at the University of Nebraska, specifically within the Department of Pediatrics, Liver Study Unit.

Furthermore, Dr. Gillespie spent a year in Graduate School at LSUMC – New Orleans under the mentorship of Dr. Marilyn Zimey in the Department of Anatomy, laying the groundwork for his subsequent admission to the prestigious LSU School of Medicine.

During his tenure at LSU, Dr. Gillespie delved into groundbreaking research alongside Dr. David Kline in the Department of Neurosurgery. Their collaborative efforts resulted in a significant publication in the Journal of Neurosurgery, Volume 75, on September 3, 1991, titled "Electrophysiologic studies of various graft lengths and lesion lengths in repair of nerve gaps in primates."

Following this, Dr. Gillespie completed his internship and residency and pursued a Pain Subspecialty track at LSUMC – Charity Hospital under the mentorship of Dr. James Riopelle in the Department of Anesthesia. This comprehensive training equipped him with a diverse skill set to address various aspects of patient care.

Since 1996, Dr. Gillespie has been in private practice in Lafayette, demonstrating a commitment to the advancement of medicine and the well-being of his patients. His approach to pain management is characterized by a deep understanding of anatomy-specific pain generators and the mechanisms of pain generation. His philosophy emphasizes safe, minimally invasive long-term care, with a primary goal of limiting the use of narcotics and enabling patients to achieve the highest level of activity possible.

As a founding member of Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare landscape in the region.