After a general surgery residency training in Jacksonville , Dr . Roulhac received a call “ out of the blue ” from Dr . Jerry Youkey , who , at the time , served as director of a new peripheral vascular fellowship program at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville , PA . Dr . Youkey offered him a position in the program , and he became its very first fellow .
Looking back , Dr . Roulhac credits “ the favor of God ” for guiding his path to a career that would perfectly align with his extraordinary skills and passions . And he credits Jacksonville University for offering him an undergraduate education that was “ second to none .”
“ I felt that I was given all the tools , all the support , all the information [ at JU ],” he said . “ I didn ’ t have to go to an Ivy League school … I was well-equipped when I left .”
UPS AND DOWNS
Though vascular surgery is a distinct specialty within medicine , Dr . Roulhac treats a wide variety of conditions and medical emergencies . Gunshot wounds , strokes , deep vein thrombosis , renal failure , blocked arteries , aortic aneurysms — no two days are alike . He fights to save patients ’ lives and limbs every day .
“ The things I love to see the most is patients who come in with dead feet , or gangrenous changes , and they are … in severe , incapacitating pain . And then to be able to use what I know … and apply it to help them out . And then to see them come back with relief of the pain and a functional limb that ’ s been salvaged . That is rewarding ,” he said .
While the good days carry a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose , there are difficult days , too .
“ I had this one guy who got shot and said ‘ Doc , please don ’ t let me die . Please don ’ t let me die ,” Dr . Roulhac said . Unfortunately , he wasn ’ t able to save the young man , and he had to deliver the news to the family gathered in the waiting room . " That was tough . And it reminds me you ’ ve got to continue to do your best and improve as much as you can .”
CONTINUING TO CLIMB
After nearly 30 years serving southeastern North Carolina at his vascular practice in Fayetteville , Dr . Roulhac and wife Gina decided it was time for a change of pace . Now in his 60s , he began exploring a career move that would allow him to slow down . But once again , his path continues its ascent . In 2022 , he moved to Denver , CO , to work
VAS C U L A R SURGEON
DENVER , COLORADO
CLASS OF ' 83