Good Samaritan gives 100th COVID-19 patient discharged an emotional send-off

As the "Rocky" theme song "Gonna Fly Now" played overhead, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove celebrated a victory of its own fighter Eugene "Gene" Pouliot.

Pouliot, 68, was the hospital's 100th COVID-19 patient discharge, a mighty milestone for the Lyons resident and for his care team. He was discharged after a nearly three-week stay in the hospital.

It was an emotional send-off as nurses, physicians and support services team members lined the hallways to cheer and celebrate his triumphant recovery.

Upon his exit, he was reunited with his wife, Kris.

As a parting gesture, Pouliot released balloons to signify hope for the remaining patients undergoing treatment at Advocate Good Samaritan and for the nurses and doctors working to save them.

"We (at Advocate Good Samaritan) were all so happy to see him going home after everything he had been through, including being ventilated in the critical care unit," says Libby Black, a nurse who was part of Pouliot's care team. "We were all in tears seeing him and his wife in that huge embrace. It's great to have some good news in the midst of these very challenging times."