Meet our cardiovascular care team

From prevention to cardiac testing, heart surgery to rehabilitation, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has the experienced staff and clinical expertise to meet your cardiac care needs. The care team includes more than 80 board certified cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and electrophysiologists, highly trained nurses who are leaders in their field, skilled rehabilitation specialists and many other dedicated healthcare professionals.

We welcome the opportunity to serve you.

Cardiovascular services team:

• Juan Bonilla, MD
  Director of Open Heart Surgery
• Mahesh Raju, MD
  Medical Director, Interventional Cardiology
• Gail Sabaliauskas, MD
  Medical Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiac Testing, Cardiac Diagnostics and Cardio Oncology
• Stephen Rowley, MD
  Cardiology Section Director
• Ali Valika, MD
  Medical Director, Comprehensive Heart Recovery Program

Schedule an appointment

To schedule an appointment call 1-800-3-ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622).

For more information about physicians who are on medical staff of Good Samaritan Hospital or to request an appointment online, visit the doctor directory.

Other members of your care team

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APNs) are Registered Nurses with an advanced education and extensive experience within a subspecialty such as cardiovascular surgery. APNs are the liaisons between the patient/families and the physician and are available to provide information during and after a patient's hospitalization.

Anesthesiologists are an integral part of the surgical team prior to, during and after surgery. The anesthesiologist plans the anesthetic (pain relief) for the patient and monitors blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and level of consciousness during surgical procedures.

Cardiac rehabilitation staff monitor vital signs and the patient's progress with walking and exercising during the hospital stay. They also provide continuous care and education after discharge.

Cardiologists perform and interpret stress tests, echocardiograms, EKGs, cardiac catheterization and peripheral arterial procedures, follow the patient's progress, regulate medication and plan discharge.

Cardiovascular surgeons are involved before, during and after surgery. They visit the patient before the operation to answer questions and follow the patient's progress throughout his or her hospitalization.

Nurses provide expert patient care in all aspects of Good Samaritan Hospital's Cardiovascular Care Services.

Patient representatives are available to address non-medical issues and concerns with the patient and family.

Perfusionists operate the heart-lung machine that maintains heart and lung function during surgery.

Physician assistants support surgeons in the operating room and are involved in follow-up care.

Radiologists and technologists conduct doppler tests, ultrasound, peripheral angiogram and angioplasty procedures.