March 2011
Collin T. Gillespie, MD
- Assistant Professor of Medicine & Surgery
- Director, Interventional Pulmonology
- With NU since January 2011
- view pdf
"I am excited to join the vibrant community of medicine at Northwestern and work as a part of a multidisciplinary service to treat patients with possible thoracic malignancies and central airway obstruction."
What are your primary clinical and research interests?
My primary clinical interests center around therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy, minimally invasive pleural procedures and airway management. My research interests tend to center on developing the platform of bronchoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. I have been the PI on trials examining bronchoscopic treatments of COPD and co-investigator on Phase 1 gene therapy studies for treatment of mesothelioma and malignant pleural disease. Ultimately, I became interested in these topics because I found a mentor who presented me with a model for career that encompassed an interest in patient care, procedures, innovation and education.
In your view, how has the role of an Internist changed since you were a medical student?
The diversity of clinical opportunity available to internal medicine trainees will continue to evolve. Overlap between medicine, radiology and surgery will continue to expand as service lines mesh. Interventional Pulmonology has clear synergies with thoracic surgery, laryngology and anesthesiology that are unique to the field of Internal Medicine.
Tell us more about your background and life outside of work.
I grew up on the North Shore and am still looking for a permanent home for my family, likely in the Evanston area. I am married to my wife, Liz and we have two daughters Emma 4 and Sarah 2.5 years old. Having been a way from Chicago and the Midwest for so long I’ve forgotten how much more open people are here. Career, marriage and parenting have put a dent in my time for hobbies but I continue to play ice hockey and have a long history as an avid outdoorsman focused on hiking, climbing, skiing and mountain biking.
I’ve had tremendous opportunities to travel as part of my training and have spent time in France, Japan and Singapore expanding my procedural skills. The opportunity to participate in the care of patients within very different health care systems has been instructive.
