Community Involvement
Local communities like Valparaiso, Schererville, and Crown Point are wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Part of what makes the area such a great place is the effort of local residents to support and improve their communities. As a member of the local medical community, Indiana plastic surgeon Dr. Gus Galante stands out from many other surgeons because of his commitment to his community. He donates his time and contributes to charitable organizations that are finding new ways to make Northwest Indiana even better. Many of his patients want to learn more about the organizations he supports.
Helping Women Support Other Women
Dr. Galante has teamed up with the nonprofit organization Breast Oasis, a group that collects, cleans and distributes new and gently used bras to women who need them but can't afford them. Women who donate can offer words of hope and encouragement to the recipients through the Breast Oasis website.
Dr. Galante frequently performs breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lifts and breast reconstruction. Many of his patients will require new bras after surgery and will have no use for their old ones. Through this partnership with Breast Oasis, Dr. Galante's patients can now donate their unwanted bras by bringing them to our office.
Holiday Help for Families in Need
Dr. Galante and his staff enjoy volunteering at the Hammond Community Center during the holidays. They fill bags with Thanksgiving meals for members of the community that don't have the means to provide one for their families. Hopefully, this small gesture will help them celebrate the holiday in comfort.
Involvement in Community Health
Dr. Galante is a co-founder and continued participant in the "Hospice Hustle," a cycling event to raise money for the Hospice of the Calumet Area (www.hospicecalumet.org). The event, which includes 25-mile and 62-mile race routes, is held annually in September at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, Indiana. The event began in 2003 and has raised thousands of dollars to assist the Hospice in its core mission.
Hospice of the Calumet Area is dedicated to providing a caring and supportive environment for patients in the final stages of terminal illnesses. Their staff of nurses, social workers, clergy, and volunteers works hand in hand with each patient, and also take the time to address the needs of family members. The Hospice team coordinates care with each patient's personal physician to minimize discomfort while providing essential medical services.
Because women are a large majority of his Indiana plastic surgery patients, Dr. Galante has supported the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative (www.goredforwomen.org), which seeks to educate women about the importance of heart health. Many people know that heart disease is the leading killer of American men, but are surprised to learn that it is the leading cause of death among American women as well. Through informational events and community activities, the Go Red campaign is educating women about healthy eating, smoking cessation, blood pressure checkups, and other ways to prevent heart disease.
Dr. Galante has participated in the Cancer Resource Centre's Annual Romp and Roll Walk and Fun Run to support the Centre's mission of providing education, events, and other resources to local residents diagnosed with various forms of cancer. He has sponsored this event every year since its inception. Learn more about the Centre by visiting www.cancerresourcecentre.com.
Charity Through B'nai B'rith
Dr. Galante is an active member of B'nai B'rith, a local Jewish service organization dedicated to providing broad-based services to strengthen family life and communities throughout Northwest Indiana. He is heavily involved in its "Buddy Bear" program, which helps children dealing with extreme stress and upheaval in their lives through donation of teddy bears. Dr. Galante knows that children going through a crisis need the comfort of a friend, even if that friend is a simple stuffed bear.
Photograph courtesy of
Community Hospital
B'nai B'rith was also instrumental in collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste from the community to donate to Calumet College students for their annual mission trip to Guatemala. These dental supplies are badly needed there.
Other Community Activities
In addition to local speaking engagements and seasonal volunteer events, Dr. Galante is on the Board of Directors of South Shore Arts (www.southshoreartsonline.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing art and inspiration to schools, parks, and underserved communities in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Galante is also past President of the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana (www.federationonline.org). This organization is the welfare arm of the Jewish community, providing assistance (food, clothing, shelter, and emotional support) to those in need, Jewish and non Jewish families alike. He participates in a program with churches in the area to help cook meals for a local soup kitchen.
For six years he has been a proud sponsor of the Speaking of Women's Health program whose mission is "educating women to make informed decisions about health, well-being and personal safety for themselves and their families."
Dr. Galante and his staff have collected clothing and health supplies for the Nazareth Home, an organization that provides care, nurturing, and support for medically at risk children. These children are given the opportunity to be cared for in a safe and loving environment. In addition, his staff also collected food and health supplies for the St. Jude House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
If you'd like to hear more about Dr. Galante's efforts to contribute to the health and strength of local communities, contact us or call (800) 721-3244 today.
