Dr. Fouad Ghaly is a visionary in the field of regenerative medicine, possessing over 50 years of medical experience and a reputation as a trailblazer. His groundbreaking work has earned him global recognition and made him a highly sought-after authority and speaker on the subject. We had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview with Dr. Ghaly, delving into his early career, his journey to the United States, and the challenges he encountered throughout his professional life.
Born in Egypt, Dr. Ghaly obtained his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alexandria in 1965. Following that, he completed a residency in anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University in the United States from 1969 to 1970. From 1976 to 1980, Dr. Ghaly served as an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery and Anesthesiology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Later, in the mid-1980s, he became an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, where he was recognised as the Best Clinical Educator.
During the early 1990s, Dr. Ghaly developed a profound interest in regenerative medicine, leading to the establishment of the Ghaly Center for Regenerative Medicine in 1995. Dr. Ghaly was one of the pioneering medical professionals who recognised the regenerative potential of stem cells. He has utilised these therapies with great success in combating chronic pain, heart disease, arthritis and various other medical conditions.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Ghaly holds a board-certified diploma from the American Board of Regenerative Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He is also affiliated with the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and the European Society of Regenerative Medicine. Apart from his clinical work, Dr. Ghaly has authored several influential publications on regenerative medicine. Moreover, he has contributed over one hundred articles to peer-reviewed journals.
“I always challenged myself and strived to become the best in
my profession”
In recognition of his groundbreaking achievements, Dr. Ghaly has received numerous accolades and awards. In 2004, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, and in 2008, he was featured as one of the Top 100 Doctors in America by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.
Here are some highlights from our captivating interview with Dr. Ghaly:
Let us go back to the beginning. How did you begin your academic and practitioner journeys in the U.S.?
After finishing up my medical studies in Egypt, I saw that the trend was to earn a fellowship from England as a next step. However, I noticed that medical advancement in the U.S. was greater than England, where they put many restrictions on research. So I decided to go there to gain experience in my specialisation of choice, which was anesthesiology in Johns Hopkins Hospital. I did my residency there and we used to work 36 hours and get eight hours off, which was tough but truly beneficial. Afterwards, I did my fellowship which I spent working in intensive care, and after three years of hard work, I became a departmental head, then I moved across hospitals in various states including North Dakota, Washington, and California.
While keeping up with all of these changes, what made you get into regenerative medicine?
I have always had a problem with accepting the concept of death and I hated the idea of seeing someone dying. So, after the heart attack I had years ago, I took some time off to think and I dove into the study of molecular medicine. That is when I discovered the importance of extending therapy to a molecular level and chemical reactions present within the body. This pathway led me to regenerative medicine and the benefits of creating a human genome map to discover common patterns, as well as the effect that each genome can have on each individual’s special traits. I reached the inevitable conclusion that the utilisation of stem cells and growth factors in repairing damaged areas of the body speeds up the healing process, achieving better medical results, such as in cases of partial paralysis and injuries like Achilles tendon rupture.
“I feel this sense of belonging towards Egypt and the need to give back to the place where I grew up”
So, can we say that regenerative medicine would serve as an alternative to traditional medicine?
No, alternative medicine can’t entirely replace traditional medicine, but it can instead act as a support to it, or a factor that can be added to provide better results. For example, when it comes to plastic surgeries we can do a modest number of operations, followed by stem cell injections, which will lead to great results and faster recovery time.
How can you describe the role of regenerative medicine in cosmetology?
I will give an example. If I do a face lift using the traditional methods, it will have to be redone a few times over the years to follow, which will change the main features of the face in an unfavourable way. However, injecting stem cells from the body fat will regenerate the skin and the muscles to give them a normal, younger appearance without the need for invasive surgeries. So I can say that regenerative medicine provides better and more favourable results compared to the traditional approach.
During that long journey, there must have been many difficulties and challenges, how did you manage them?
I always challenged myself and strived to become the best in my profession, which for me meant overcoming any possible obstacle. Each of these hardships provided a valuable life lesson for me, as I never believed in giving up, there is always a way out. I remember when I had a heart attack years ago, I didn’t want to undergo an open-heart surgery and I thought there must be another method. So, I suggested to the doctor the idea of implanting a heart stent which he was against in the beginning, but after the success of that surgery I learned a lot about seeking viable alternatives even in your darkest moments.
What is your source of inspiration?
My belief in God is my greatest source of inspiration, as I consider myself a helper of people. My ability to help others heal and recover gives me pleasure and satisfaction, and I always try to stay up to date and open to new ideas in my field to remain on top of the game.
So what can we say is the next step for you?
I feel this sense of belonging towards Egypt and the need to give back to the place where I grew up. So I think I might be performing more operations and ground work in Egypt and the Middle East