The Dr. Martin and Charlotte Gallagher Scholarship for Prolotherapy

Thanks to the generosity of Martin Gallagher, MD, DC, MS, and Charlotte Ciotti Gallagher, MS, DC, the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) has established the Dr. Martin and Charlotte Gallagher Scholarship for Prolotherapy. The UW DFMCH is a leader in prolotherapy-related educational, clinical and research activities.

Advancing Prolotherapy in Family Medicine

Prolotherapy is an evidence-based outpatient therapy management of pain due to osteoarthritis, overuse tendon disorders and back pain.

The late Jeffrey Patterson, DO, and Martin Gallagher, MD, DC, MS, during a service-learning trip to Honduras.

The Gallagher scholarship provides exposure to the academic principles and clinical practice of prolotherapy for residents and fellows in family medicine and pain-related specialties by providing scholarships to two educational opportunities conducted in collaboration with the Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation and the International Association of Regenerative Therapy.

1. An annual conference held each October on the UW Madison campus about prolotherapy in collaboration with the International Association of Regenerative Therapy.
2. An annual prolotherapy service-learning project in Honduras founded in 1969.

The DFMCH is home to several leaders in the clinical application and teaching of prolotherapy including Michael Weber, MD and Jared Dubey, DO. The clinical practice and education around prolotherapy at the UW DFMCH was established by the late Jeffrey Patterson, DO, known internationally for his work as a prolotherapy practitioner, educator and researcher. The Department continues its collaboration with David Rabago, MD.

A ‘Great Immersion Prolotherapy Experience’

Here’s what Alexandra (Sasha) Ilkevitch, MD, the first Gallagher scholarship recipient, had to say about prolotherapy and the Honduras service-learning experience:

“This scholarship enables you to participate in a great immersion prolotherapy experience. You will become proficient in doing basic prolotherapy techniques for many of the major body joints, especially knees and shoulders.

“This trip changed my perspective on managing musculoskeletal pain. Nonoperative management options often consist of physical therapy, steroid injections and symptomatic management with medications. Prolotherapy provides practitioners with another set of tools to address and successfully treat the ligamentous sources of musculoskeletal pain while strengthening that region of the body.

“In addition, you will have a chance to provide excellent musculoskeletal care to one of the most medically underserved regions of the world. You will be working alongside enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated physicians and staff. This trip will have you practicing medicine in a way that would remind you why you became a doctor in the first place.”

Eligibility and More Information

The Gallagher scholarship supports participation in the conference and/or the Honduras trip. Research and/or clinical skill building opportunities may also be available in the future.

Scholarship funds are available to University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health residents and fellows; priority is given to Department of Family Medicine and Community Health residents or fellows. Potential recipients must demonstrate a strong interest in prolotherapy and a clear commitment to providing it in current or future family medicine practice.

For more information, contact Jared Dubey, DO.

About the Gallaghers

The scholarship is named for Martin Gallagher, MD, DC, MS, and Charlotte Ciotti Gallagher, MS, DC, co-founders of Medical Wellness Associates, an integrative medical facility in Jeannette, Pennsylvania.

“Prolotherapy is a great, viable therapy that any family physician can learn to do and incorporate into their practice.” Martin Gallagher, MD, DC, MS

Dr. Martin Gallagher is a former chiropractor who returned to medical school to become a family physician with specialties in nutrition, medical acupuncture and prolotherapy. He studied prolotherapy with Dr. Patterson, and has since offered it to thousands of his own patients.

“I want to support the philosophy and intent on which the roots of prolotherapy began,” he said. “Prolotherapy is a great, viable therapy that any family physician can learn to do and incorporate into their practice.”

In addition to presenting at the prolotherapy conference and participating in the service-learning trip to Honduras, Dr. Gallagher is on the faculty at West Virginia University, Department of Family Medicine, where he instructs residents in integrative medicine and acupuncture.