Originally from Riverside, California, Dr. Gallagher’s upbringing included living in various states and countries due to his father’s service in the U.S. Air Force. As a youth, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and later became a scout leader, obtaining advanced certifications in adult scouting. He pursued his undergraduate degree in biology at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, before earning his DDS degree from New York University College of Dentistry. Following this, he completed Anesthesiology residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical School in New York, and fellowship training at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Gallagher attained Diplomate status in the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA) in 1979.
His extensive training continued with a three-year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He became certified for membership in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) in 1981 and earned Diplomate status in the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) in 1984. Throughout his residency, Dr. Gallagher engaged in clinical research, co-authored scientific papers, and contributed to textbooks on facial deformities correction and other topics. He also shared his expertise internationally, serving as a lecturer and surgeon in Australia and New Zealand, and participating in surgical missions in Guatemala City and Honduras.
After his residency, Dr. Gallagher balanced private practice with teaching roles at Brown University Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island. However, he eventually chose to relocate to Austin, Texas, to pursue his passion for practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery in the area.
Outside of work, Dr. Gallagher enjoys spending time with his wife and children. His hobbies include beekeeping, ranching, and gardening.