Good Samaritan Hospital doctor is honorary Chicago Bulls captain

DOWNERS GROVE - An Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital physician who is a breast cancer survivor was recognized as an honorary captain at a Chicago Bulls game Oct. 12.

Dr. Gaile Sabaliauskas, an Advocate Medical Group cardiologist and Westmont resident, was among the survivors recognized at the team's "Pink Out" pre-season game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Sabaliauskas is featured in Advocate Health Care's "Stories of the Girls" marketing campaign. She shared how her fight against breast cancer impacted her as a mother, wife and physician in a video posted on Advocate's YouTube channel.

"I always felt I was a compassionate physician, but now I find myself understanding the oncology patients more," Sabaliauskas said. "I've definitely come out of this stronger and a better human being."

Her experience compelled her to develop a cardio-oncology program to protect the hearts of cancer patients during treatment.

"I had patients who had developed heart complications from the chemotherapy and that required them to stop their chemotherapy for the time being - and that was devastating to them," Sabaliauskas said. "So, I thought if we had a cardio-oncology program, we could protect them so that they wouldn't have to put their chemotherapy on hold."