Aside from medicine, Dr. Gill’s foremost interest and passion is his family. He enjoys golf, sports, loves reading, but his favorite activity is traveling and
sharing fun activities as a family. “My family is most important, a huge priority for me,” he said. Dr. Gill and his wife Barbara met while he was in residency in St. Louis. Barbara was a nurse, and she assisted him as both nurse and office manager when they moved to Lebanon and opened his practice. Barbara later comped her Master’s Degree in Education and works as a teacher. Dr. Gill has three children, two stepchildren and two grandchildren. Daughters Lauren and Suzanne are in college, working toward nursing degrees. His son Trey is in high school and is an avid soccer player. (Dr. Gill proudly noted that Trey plays for the number one travel soccer team in the State.) His stepchildren, Nick and Natalie, and two grandchildren live in the Atlanta area. Today the Gills reside in Nashville, closer to their son’s school and busy soccer activities and near their home church, First Presbyterian.
When asked why he chose urology as his preferred field of medicine, Dr. Gill replied, “While in medical school, I had the opportunity to meet several urologists, and they found it very rewarding. Urology offered the opportunity for both surgery and clinical treatment of patients. Urology was on the forefront of medical technology. It was one of the first fields to use endoscopy (using a scope) and fi ber optics to do more non-invasive treatments.” After several years in private practice, Gill joined Urology Associates in 1996 and serves on their Board of Directors. “There were many benefits of joining a larger group of urologists,” he said. “It enables us to consolidate administrative functions and utilize electronic medical record keeping. We provide on-call physician coverage, and our patients benefit from the many years of combined experience and specialized training of all of our physician partners,” explained Gill.
Dr. Gill noted there have been rapid advances in technological treatments and successful drug therapies for urological diseases, various forms of cancer and male reproductive disorders. “There are many more options for patients today than twenty years ago,” he explained. One technique he uses for kidney stone removal is lithotripsy, which uses shock waves to break up the kidney stone. He also works in partnership with oncologists to treat prostate cancer and other cancers, with new chemotherapies and radioactive implants. “Many prostate and bladder cancers can be treated successfully if caught early,” he emphasized. Some minor procedures not requiring anesthesia can be performed in the office, such as cystoscopies (looking inside the bladder with a scope), vasectomies and implant therapies.
He said Urology Associates utilizes the most advanced treatments and therapies for their patients. “Providing our patients the best treatment possible for a healthier, happier life is our goal,” Gill added.
So how does one maintain our urological health? Dr. Gill advises regular check-ups with your primary care physician, immediate consultation if there is severe pain and/or blood in the urine, lower caffeine intake, drinking less alcohol and soft drinks, eating healthy and drinking lots of water. And if all else fails, “Call a plumber … that would be me,” he smiled and said.
For Father’s Day Weekend – Join the fight against prostate cancer at the 2012 Dash for Dads 5 K Run and 1 mile Fun Walk
Sat., June 16, 2012
Hall of Fame Park in Downtown Nashville
Come and join Dr. Gill and his partners with Urology Associates for the Dash for Dads 5K Run and 1 mile Fun Walk. Urology Associates gladly sponsors this national event, being held on Father’s Day weekend in 34 cities throughout the country. Dash for Dads in Nashville will help raise funds for prostate cancer research and community awareness, through ZERO-the Project to End Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men, but when caught early, has a 99% survival rate. This year’s Middle Tennessee event will be held at the Hall of Fame Park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. To be a sponsor, donate, or participate in the run and fun walk, visit DashforDads.com/races/Nashville. For more information, contact Robert Penick, Nashville Race Director at (615) 250-9285.