
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.


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
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.