It’s no wonder that this born adventurer chose to study the newest non-invasive surgical techniques when it came time to pursue his career path. From an early age, Bisland knew that he wanted to become a physician. Two of his childhood buddies had doctor dads, whom Bisland used to hang out with at the hospital and follow on rounds. “Even before high school, I knew that was something I wanted to do – become a doctor, help people,” he recalled.

For his studies, he stayed close to home, graduating cum laude with a B.S. in biology from Nicholls State University. During the summers, he worked at Bilco Tools, Inc. and Garber Industries as a tool cleaner. While in his senior year at Nicholls, he served as research assistant to Dr. John Doucet, PhD, trying to localize the chromosomal defect associated with Acadian Usher Syndrome. After graduation, he did a summer stint as a laboratory helper at Terrebonne General Medical Center.

In August, 1999, Bisland went to Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He managed to squeeze in some volunteer time as an assistant baseball coach for 13- to 15-year-olds and as a counselor at Camp Tiger, a camp for mentally and physically handicapped children from around the New Orleans area. He also participated in the LSUHSC Big Brother/Big Sister Program, helping a first-year incoming student to adjust to life in med school.

Bisland remained at LSU for his residency in general surgery. In his third year, he received the Vascular Surgery Award, and garnered the Pediatric Surgery Award in his fourth. As a senior, he was selected as Chief Resident in Surgery. “I really fell in love with general surgery, because it is kind of unique,” he explained. “You don’t only take care of the patient surgically – you can take care of the patients all the way from the emergency room, ICU, normal hospital room to discharge. It encompasses a wide variety of surgeries, as well as taking care of the patient.”

Next, Bisland traveled to Miami, Fla. for a year-long fellowship in minimally invasive/laparoscopic/bariatric surgery at Mercy Hospital. “I had never really lived outside of the state of Louisiana,” he said. “So, I wanted to kind of branch out and go someplace else for at least a year.” He turned down an offer to practice there, always knowing that he wanted to return to South Louisiana. “I really enjoyed the physicians in Miami,” he recalled. “They were really down to earth, but really good at what they did. I definitely enjoyed it down there – the climate, the weather; good fishing.” But first, he went backpacking with three buddies through Europe, hitting the historic hot spots of Paris, Rome, Florence and Berlin, as well as the beautiful beaches of the French Riviera.

Following his month-long overseas adventure, Bisland came back to Thibodaux, to start his practice. On August 17, 2009, he joined Thibodaux Surgical Specialists, where he works with three other surgeons. In his practice, Bisland performs all types of surgeries, including gall bladder, appendix, colon, hernia, thyroid and breast. His specialty is advanced laparoscopic procedures, including anti-reflux, hiatal hernia and bariatric, particularly sleeve gastrectomy and lap band.

In his spare time, Beslin fits in his passions, duck hunting and fishing, on his lease. Normally, he fishes in shore for redfish and trout, and in the marshes around Southeast Louisiana for bass. “I like the outdoors, for sure,” he said. He tries to make a lot of the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tiger games. To keep fit for all of this activity, he works out at the gym four to five times a week.

His greatest challenge has been trying to balance work, school and normal, healthy relationships with friends and family. “I’ve been trying to balance my time equally between all aspects of my life, not just dedicating 100 percent to work or 100 percent to school, because I was in school for so long, but trying to balance school, work, family, friends and a personal life,” he said. 

At work, Beslin’s goal is much loftier. “My goal is to give my patients the best care possible, and to make every patient happy, live their lives and be cured or healed of their illness,” he said.

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