Obituary: Jean-Michel Gaillard, M.D. (1939–1999)

✍ Scribed by Michel Fournier

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Weight: 48 KB
• Volume: 13
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1096-7028
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1182(199909)13:3<149::aid-sho149>3.0.co;2-h

✦ Synopsis

at the beginning of this year, at the age of 59 years. Over the past ten years he played a major role in the expansion of IS-TDP in both Switzerland and Europe. He devoted his life to the understanding of mankind.

After his medical studies, he began a career of scientific research and established a Sleep Disorder Investigation Unit in Geneva which acquired international renown. His life was marked by an encounter with Dr Davanloo, of whose discoveries he immediately seized the importance. From then on he put all his energy and skills into becoming acquainted with and making known IS-TDP.

Thanks to his organizational talents Dr Gaillard set up numerous sensibilization, immersion and metapsychology courses in Switzerland. His scientific reputation played a large part in the success of these courses. His good relationship with Dr Davanloo also permitted the setting up of the core training programme of the Swiss group. His position as President of the Swiss Society for nine years motivated several among us to continue the task undertaken in Switzerland. The expansion of the technique through the Geneva and Zurich groups was a direct result of his activities.

The contribution to Dr Davanloo's work is small in comparison to what he gave us by his example. He gave the same complete loyalty to his patients as he gave to those close to him. In spite of his failing health, he took it upon himself to say goodbye personally to each of his patients. I know that they are infinitely grateful to him for this and join me in paying this last tribute.

The memory of his warm friendship will always be with us and we share the painful loss with his wife and his two children.