A Call to Give Back

Grace sat quietly with her mother at the funeral home, the weight of her father’s recent passing heavy in the air. Then, the phone rang.
As Grace answered, she heard a voice she hadn’t expected – Dr. Anna Geagea, her father’s physician at North York General Hospital (NYGH). This call wasn’t about medical updates or paperwork, but a deeply personal expression of sympathy.

“It was so meaningful to me,” Grace said, reflecting on the unexpected call, which filled both she and her mother with emotion. “It was clear that to Dr. Geagea, my father wasn’t just another patient. She took time out of her schedule to comfort me, and it made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t anticipated. It was like she was part of our family for that brief moment.”

A Call to Give Back

Dr Geagea Reunited with Grace at North York General.

“It was so meaningful to me,” Grace said, reflecting on the unexpected call, which filled both she and her mother with emotion. “It was clear that to Dr. Geagea, my father wasn’t just another patient. She took time out of her schedule to comfort me, and it made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t anticipated. It was like she was part of our family for that brief moment.”

Compassionate Care

Grace’s connection with NYGH had spanned several life events, from the birth of her two sons to the care her father received during his final months. But it was Dr. Geagea’s compassion that moved her to give back.

In March of the previous year, Grace’s father, then 86, was rushed to NYGH by ambulance. After a stay in General Surgery, he returned in July and was transferred to Critical Care. It was here that Grace first met Dr. Geagea. From the start, the doctor’s warmth and patience were clear. Grace’s mother, whose first language wasn’t English, often needed translation, and Dr. Geagea made sure everything was explained in a way the family could understand.

“She was so communicative and clear,” Grace recalls. “She assured me they would do everything they could to care for him, and that openness really helped us through such a difficult time.”

Every hospital visit that followed reinforced the family’s sense of care. Nurses greeted them with updates, provided honest feedback on her father’s condition, and were always transparent about his situation. This compassionate approach gave Grace and her family some peace during an otherwise challenging period.

Honouring a Legacy

Grace’s father immigrated to Canada alone at just 13, overcoming cultural and language barriers to build a life of resilience and success in Toronto. Through quiet dedication and tireless work, he became the rock of his family, supporting them in every way. Beyond that, he became a mentor and a friend to his grandchildren, who adored him. He lived a full and meaningful life, shaping the lives of those around him with wisdom and love.
When he passed, it was a profound loss for Grace and her family. Yet, she found comfort in knowing that his remarkable life and legacy were honoured by the compassionate care he received in his final weeks. The attention and empathy shown by Dr. Geagea and the NYGH team reflected the dignity her father deserved, allowing the family to feel that, even in his passing, his life was celebrated.

When Grace learned about the opportunity to make a gift in honour of a care provided at NYGH who had made an impact, the decision was clear.

“I believe in recognizing extraordinary people,” Grace says. “I wanted to say thanks to Dr. Geagea for the care she gave my father and for that moment that brought so much comfort to us during such a painful time.”

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