PROVIDERS
About Dr. Ford
Peter Ford, MD, FACS, RPVI, welcomes patients to his private practice, Vascular Solutions, in Charlotte, North Carolina. With dual board certifications in general surgery and vascular surgery, and specialized credentials as a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI), Dr. Ford is exceptionally qualified in his areas of specialization, the management of varicose veins, venous disease, and vascular disorders.
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Ford received his medical training at the internationally renowned Monash University School of Medicine in Clayton, Australia. He relocated to the United States and continued his education, completing his general surgery residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo, then finishing his fellowship training in vascular surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Ford served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at UNC, where he was responsible for teaching and mentoring medical students, surgical residents, and vascular surgery trainees. At the same time, he has also cared for complex vascular surgery patients.
In addition to co-authoring several publications in surgical journals, Dr. Ford has co-authored several chapters in surgical textbooks. He has also delivered multiple grand rounds presentations on vascular surgery topics and has presented at regional surgical meetings.
Dr. Ford is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
When he's not in the office, Dr. Ford enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and spending time with his wife, Katie, and their three children.
About Kristin
Kristin Hartman, PA-C, is our Physician Assistant at Vascular Solutions, assisting Dr. Ford with all day-to-day patient care, including sclerotherapy treatment on our patients. She says that is what she loves most about being a P.A. "I enjoy the rewarding feeling from diagnosing and then providing treatments that help make her patients feel better. "That's what makes me smile and excites me about coming to work in the morning, as well as our awesome co-workers & flexible bosses!" Kristin is married and a mom to three active boys who keep her busy cheering from the stands during a myriad of sporting events that each one participates in, often requiring her and her husband to travel all over the country when duty calls. When asked to name a quote that she lives by, Kristin didn't hesitate, "The glass is half-full! I try to look at things positively and find the good in every situation….."
CLINICAL TEAM
About Alicia
Alicia is a Registered Vascular Technologist with over a decade of experience in diagnosing and treating lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency using ultrasound technology. She started her career at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago in 2011 and then joined Vein Clinics of America-Chicago, where she served as the lead tech for 7 years. Alicia has also worked for Medtronic endoVenous, where she trained doctors in using the VenaSeal device and radiofrequency ablation catheters in ultrasound-guided procedures.
At Vascular Solutions, Alicia is responsible for conducting detailed ultrasound exams to diagnose chronic venous insufficiency and other vascular conditions. She creates a unique "map" of each patient's anatomy and communicates exam findings to the multidisciplinary team. She is a strong patient advocate and therapy awareness educator and enjoys witnessing the remarkable quality of life improvements that patients experience on their journey to healing.
Alicia is proud to be part of the energetic, compassionate, and highly skilled healthcare team at Vascular Solutions. The team provides patients with a thorough, integrated patient experience, where they can have diagnostics, procedures, and consultations all in one place for comprehensive vein and vascular care.
About Eleni
Eleni Galanis is our Medical Office Intern. She is currently a senior majoring in Biology at Wingate University. After graduating, she plans to obtain her Master's degree by becoming a Physician Assistant in hopes of practicing in a vascular office. She enjoys spending time with family and friends when not at school or work. Eleni is very proud of her Greek heritage. She participates in Charlotte's Greek fest annually in September and encourages everyone to attend. When asked to name a favorite quote, Eleni said, "I never look back, darling, it distracts from the now!"
About Emma
Emma is one of our office interns at Vascular Solutions. She is one of three children and is the only girl. What she enjoys most are swimming and baking. During the summer, when she is not in school, she is a lifeguard at local pools, teaches others how to swim, bakes with her dad (Dr. Ford) using secret techniques, and catches up on the latest entertainment news about Harry Styles. Emma also has a gift when it comes to working with children, as she is a caretaker for multiple families. When asked about her favorite quote, she stated, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
About Kayla
As Vascular Solutions' Patient Experience Coordinator, Kayla plays a vital role in ensuring our Patients receive extraordinary care, an impeccable experience, and exceptional results.
Kayla is a certified ROT and Lab ASCP with several years of experience in orthopedics in Asheville before joining our team in Charlotte. Kayla is passionate and dedicated to helping Patients get the care they need and the experience they deserve. She loves working alongside Dr. Ford, Kristin Hartman, and the entire Vascular Solutions team.
ADMIN STAFF
About Bridgett
Bridgett plays a vital role as the Billing/Coding Specialist at Vascular Solutions, contributing her expertise to our administrative team. With over 20 years of experience in private medicine, she has served in various capacities, including as a medical assistant and practice manager. Bridgett holds certifications as a healthcare consultant in coding/billing, ICD-10, and various EMRs.
Bridgett fearlessly embraces new coding challenges in the ever-changing insurance reimbursement landscape. She finds particular fulfillment in the field of vascular surgery, where she encounters unique coding scenarios that extend beyond the ordinary scope. Bridgett’s dedication to going above and beyond in her coding and billing responsibilities is evident as she navigates the intricacies of the field.
With her wealth of knowledge and attention to detail, Bridgett ensures that our billing and coding processes remain efficient and compliant. She stays up-to-date with industry changes, allowing us to optimize insurance reimbursement while providing exceptional vascular care.