Serving As Your Trusted Physician Coach

I am Dr. Dale Giolas, a physician coach and I am thrilled to have you here. Over the past three decades, I have played various roles in the healthcare delivery system, including a practicing physician, healthcare system leader, corporate executive, and physician coach. Throughout my career, one principle has remained constant – my commitment to supporting and optimizing the doctor-patient interaction, which I believe is the pivot point of healthcare delivery.

No matter the role a physician plays in the healthcare system, their ultimate responsibility is to optimize outcomes for the patient. The quality of the doctor-patient interaction drives patient experience, population health, and even population costs. Each interaction matters, one patient at a time, one billion times every year.

How I Started My Work

My journey in supporting the treatment relationship began even before I was born. With a Greek grandmother and a Polish mother, it was believed that becoming a doctor was my destiny. I pursued a pre-med program at Purdue University, where I discovered a passion for psychology, sociology, and philosophy, alongside my science classes.

This led me to choose psychiatry as a specialty, allowing me to combine my love for medicine with my humanistic inclinations. I attended Indiana University for medical school and completed my psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Group Portrait of Doctors on White Background

As a Practicing Physician

I worked in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, always making time to understand my patients, assist them with their challenges, and help them define and achieve their goals. It was during this time that I developed leadership skills as a chief resident and later became an inpatient unit director and medical director of a behavioral health system in Chicago.

Continuing my commitment to effectiveness and efficiency in healthcare, I ventured into the world of technology startups and founded an application service provider (ASP) company, making practice management systems affordable for small groups.

However, despite my diverse roles and achievements, I continued to practice psychiatry and addiction medicine, working with patients at every level of care. I strived to go beyond medication management and understand what was truly important to my patients, adding value wherever I could.

My Experience With Burnout

But, as the industrialization of medicine progressed with increasing government regulation, payer demands, and organizational priorities, I felt the impact on my ability to connect with my patients. “Face time” was replaced by “screen time,” and I began experiencing the signs of burnout – exhaustion, cynicism, and a decrease in career satisfaction. I knew it was time for a change.

It was during this search for a new path that I discovered physician coaching. Connecting with other physicians who were professional coaches, I realized that coaching aligned perfectly with my humanistic roots. I obtained my Certified Professional Coach certificate from The College of Executive Coaching and my Certified Physician Development Coach™ certificate from the Physician Coaching Institute.

Why I Coach Physicians

Coaching allowed me to shift my focus from returning to normal to helping my clients progress toward greater fulfillment in their lives. I embraced the belief that my clients already possess the answers and resources they need, and it is my role to support them in their journey. Freed from the distractions of industrialization, I found a profession where I could truly help people.

My purpose as a physician coach is to help physicians find sustainable fulfillment in their lives, as it directly enhances their well-being and their ability to provide the care they value. If you are ready to explore how we can work together to achieve your goals, I invite you to schedule an Exploratory Session by clicking the link below.

I am excited to embark on this journey with you towards a more fulfilling personal and professional life.

Testimonials

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been allowed to be coached by Dale. His experience as a practicing physician and physician leader enabled him to quickly identify that I had been selling myself short in my career. He did not let me off the hook when he felt me trying to limit my potential.

Through his insightful and powerful questioning, he exposed my blind spots and helped me again feel the strengths I had lost sight of. I have since broadened my horizons and expanded the scope of my career. In summary, I felt that Dale was my partner in my quest for fulfillment in my professional and personal life.

J.H, MD

Being coached by Dale changed my focus and ability to see the opportunities I wanted. He could listen to what I was saying and figure out the true meaning  behind my words. When he would reflect on me, suddenly, things became quite clear, and I could determine what direction I needed to take. He helped me figure out step by step how to get there. 

I would encourage any physician looking to make changes or clarify their next steps, personally and professionally, to seek out Dale as a coach.

K.S. MD

“When I first met Dale (Dr. Giolas) for Physician Coaching, I was a busy practicing Solo General-Vascular Surgeon (> 30 years) and was contemplating my future in Medicine and what role I was to play in this new climate of Corporate Medicine.

Dale was an experienced psychiatrist for many years before embarking on his coaching practice, which gave him special skills (especially listening and understanding) that most coaches don’t have. He helped me re-discover the values, strengths, gifts, and talents that sparked my interest in medicine over 40 years ago. These revelations helped me make that transition to my new role in Medicine.”

W.A.G., MD

Connect With Me

For more information on how I can help you through my coaching program, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me today. I look forward to attending to your needs.