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In a Blink: Life-Changing Accident Provides New Perspective on Care

For over 13 years, Dr. Lynne Zolis has been a cornerstone of the North York General Hospital (NYGH).

Having started out as a Staff OBGYN, Dr. Zolis is now serving as the hospital’s Interim Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and has cultivated a reputation for compassionate care and professional excellence that has made her a much-beloved member of the hospital community.

And yet, on September 24, 2023, Lynne’s life changed in the blink of an eye.

In a Blink: Life-Changing Accident Provides New Perspective on Care

Dr. Zolis, staff OBGYN, North York General

For over 13 years, Dr. Lynne Zolis has been a cornerstone of the North York General Hospital (NYGH).

Having started out as a Staff OBGYN, Dr. Zolis is now serving as the hospital’s Interim Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and has cultivated a reputation for compassionate care and professional excellence that has made her a much-beloved member of the hospital community.

And yet, on September 24, 2023, Lynne’s life changed in the blink of an eye.

While on a cycling journey in Sicily – a means to mark her close friend’s 50th birthday – the lifelong athlete and cycling enthusiast took an unexpected tumble. The accident, and the harrowing journey that followed, would see the consummate care provider turned instantly into the role of ‘patient’, affording her a new lens on on care and an indelible appreciation for the hospital that has shown her that it is here for her, and here for life.

This is Lynnes story:

Dr. Zolis, staff OBGYN, North York General biking in Italy with her husband
Hi Dr. Zolis, can you take me back to that moment after you’d fallen off your bike in Sicily. What was going through your head at the time.

“Well, I knew I’d fallen in a very awkward way, but I thought I was fine… but then my vision went funny.My husband (who had come on the trip) tried to get me up and when he did I apparently went white and almost passed out. That’s when the group I was cycling with called an ambulance. In a small hospital in rural Sicily they put me into a CT Scanner and and the Italian-speaking radiologist said, ‘this is okay’ (pointing to my head and neck), ‘this is not okay’ (pointing to my pelvis).”

What did they discover had happened?

”It was something called a fracture of the acetabulum, or of the pelvic bone, which requires a very complicated surgery. My orthopedic surgeon from back home at NYGH was able to look at my case and told me I needed surgery at the trauma center urgently. I had to come home as soon as possible. I was told I was very lucky – that the bone could have easily hit an artery. I was certainly grateful for that, but I was also very scared – I was away from home, I knew I had a very complicated fracture and a long route ahead. And to make matters more complicated, I could not fly commercially as sitting was too high of a risk. It took five days to organize an air ambulance to get me back, and about 20 hours to fly home.”

Can you describe the moment that you finally got home to Toronto and to NYGH?

“The ambulance met us at Pearson and took me directlyfrom there to NYGH. It was around midnight. When the doors of the ambulance finally opened, it was maybe only my second or third time being outside since my accident.

I saw the sky and breathed in the fresh air, I saw the sky and stars and moon and then I saw the North York General Sign. I remember the moment so well, this sense of relief.. This comfort knowing that I was somewhere where I was going to be taken care of.. I knew I was finally home.”

This is where your experience as a NYGH patient began – a significant shift given your history providing care to others. How was that experience for you?

“It was incredible and eye-opening. From the porter who brought me to my room and the staff who moved me so carefully, to the cleaner who offered to hand me my book or weights, and the physiotherapists who championed my progress daily — my care was exceptional. It reminded me that when we’re so vulnerable, every kind gesture is amplified a thousand times over.

These members of staff were not familiar with me in the context of NYGH, as this was a completely different department, and yet over and over again I was overwhelmed by the kindness I was shown at every step of my journey. Everyone made me feel like I mattered. I don’t think that will ever leave me.”

How are you doing now?

“Following my surgery I was non weight-bearing for three months. I was in a wheelchair for that time and then slowly started back into practice. Although i was told I’d likely never run again, just two weeks ago I completed a half ironman relay with my colleagues Dr, Lackie and Dr. Smith. They gave me the courage to return to athletics. I was the swimmer for our team and getting out of that lake was so emotional for me.”

What do you take away from this experience most? Has your care changed as a result?

“I’ve always known our nurses and doctors are amazing but in this case I got to see the entire system of our hospital working in this incredible, seamless way – every single person plays such a crucial role. And it really hit me: yes, your care providers are doing incredibly skilled work behind the scenes, but what you’ll remember after these life-defining moments is how you were made to feel.

When I say to my own surgery patients, “we’re gonna take really good care of you while you’re sleeping’ and hold their hand as they go under… that’s my way of making them feel cared for. And my way of saying, “yes, you absolutely matter to me.”

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fellow staff at NYGH?

‘Thank you’ is not enough for everyone who helped me through this experience. I am so grateful to have had the experience I did. I felt cared for and I felt like people were so kind to me at a time that kindness was more needed than ever. I’ve never been prouder to work at NYGH.”

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