William Gramley, MD

When I give advice to patients, it is the advice I would give to my friends or family members. I want each patient to know that I care about them as a person, and I will be there to see them through any acute issues and any ongoing treatment. \n Earlier in my career, I worked with children taking part in research studies in the hematology/oncology division. I was able to follow patients through their entire time in those studies, and very much enjoyed developing those relationships and providing that continuity of care. I chose cardiology/electrophysiology because it, too, allows me to follow patients in clinic and develop a relationship with them. \n I am proud to have developed the atrial fibrillation clinic and to be the first physician to use radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. As the field of electrophysiology is rapidly changing, I will continue to help bring new technology and research to our community in my role as the electrophysiology division chair. \n Outside of work, I enjoy spending my time with my husband, our two children, and our dog and cat. We love being out on the water and camping. When I have time to myself, I like cooking for family and friends.

My father was a family physician in a small North Carolina town for over 50 years, and my admiration for - and loving relationship with - him helped shaped my desire to pursue a career in medicine. \n So did my first personal exposure to medicine. As a 5-year-old-boy, I spent almost two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. That experience not only helped develop my personal faith in God, but led to a strong belief that my purpose in life is helping others. \n I attended N.C. State University as a scholarship athlete and finished my swimming career as an NCAA All-American and ACC champion. After graduation from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and after further medical training in Charlotte and Chicago, I relocated to Wilmington in 2003 with my wife. \n I had visited the Wilmington area often as a child since both my parents were raised here and graduated from New Hanover High School. Those visits ultimately led to a desire to settle down here. My wife and I now call Wilmington home - as do our three children. \n Since 2003, I have been an attending physician at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in cardiology and electrophysiology. I am board-certified in cardiovascular disease and electrophysiology and an active member and recognized Fellow of the American College of Cardiology as well as a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society. \n My major clinical interest has always been direct patient care in electrophysiology. I consider it an honor to cultivate lasting personal relationships with my patients. \n When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and children, coaching youth athletics, spending time outdoors - especially at the beach - and cheering on the N.C. State Wolfpack.

My favorite bedtime story was about a young rabbit who fell in a hole and broke his leg. I was the hero who came along, mended his leg and safely dispatched him to his anxiously awaiting mother. This may have been one of the reasons I was destined at a young age to do medicine (although not veterinary strangely enough). I was even called Marcus Welby at times, for those of us old enough to remember that popular TV show. \n My favorite subject in school was science, and I was immediately captivated by the technology of cardiology when it came time to make my subspecialty choice. It was at that juncture that I moved from my country of birth, Ireland, to Cleveland to pursue higher training in cardiology at Cleveland Clinic. It helped that my wife, Laura, came with me on that adventure, and we are now 30 years married and three sons richer. \n I dabbled in research, but felt it was too abstract to sustain me professionally. We have the incredible privilege in medicine to meet new people every day and see what is going on in the world. We also have the incredible honor to help those same people. The path is not always easy, but visibly moving people toward improved health is immensely satisfying. \n Following a period in training, we moved to Wilmington in 2000 in search of better weather and a place to raise our family, and we have never looked back. We love the coast and enjoy being at the beach. \n My work in cardiology mainly centers around diagnostics. I believe, like in real estate where location is key, in medicine, diagnosis is key. All effective efforts at treatment stem from a firm diagnosis. I remain committed to maintaining and growing the seeds of medical knowledge that were planted in medical school and committed to having the courage to meet our patients where they need us.