Julia Vacchinos smiling warmly in an outdoor setting, seated against a backdrop of greenery and a stone wall. She is wearing a maroon top with intricate lace details and large hoop earrings, with her dark hair falling naturally over her shoulder. The bright natural light and surrounding plants create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.

Life saving care

When abdominal pain brought Julia to Markham Stouffville Hospital, she found the care she urgently needed.

A sudden onset of pain

Julia knew she had to go to the hospital.

The pain in her abdomen, which had started the night before, was getting worse. Her stomach was sore to the touch and very swollen. “By the time I arrived in the Emergency Department (ED), I was in tears from the pain,” Julia recalls.

The ED doctor who examined Julia at Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) that morning thought it was appendicitis. Scans and an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. The 43-year-old Markham resident and teacher needed surgery.

“I was worried about the surgery, but relieved they were able to figure out what was wrong so quickly,” says Julia. “My surgeon, Dr. Timothy Cheang, scheduled my surgery for later that night. He was concerned my appendix had ruptured.”

Exceptional care from compassionate nurses

Julia was admitted to the short stay unit. While she waited for her surgery, she was cared for by nurses she describes as “fantastic.” The nurses in the ED were wonderful, too. “As busy as they were, they took the time to answer my questions,” says Julia.

One nurse in particular, Ricco Wong, made a lasting impression. “He made me laugh,” Julia remembers. “He reassured me everything was going to be okay. He made me believe I was in good hands.”

And, she was. Dr. Cheang performed the operation and everything went well. Fortunately, Julia’s appendix hadn’t ruptured; however, it eventually would have if she hadn’t gotten the emergency care she needed at MSH.

When you go to the hospital, you really see the impact donors make.

Julia Vacchino

A history of trust in MSH

“Growing up in northern Ontario, I know the importance of having access to great health close to home,” says Julia. “I know how lucky we are to have MSH nearby to turn to in times of need.”

This wasn’t the first time Julia has turned to MSH for help. Not long before her trip to the ED, she received an iron infusion for anemia there. And, long before that, when Julia was 15, she came to MSH with a broken leg.

Julia was visiting Markham at the time and had to fly back home to northern Ontario. The staff gave her a half-cast so she wouldn’t have to cancel her flight. “On every occasion, I’ve received the best care and the nurses have been so kind,” Julia notes.

Fully recovered and grateful

Today, Julia is fully healed from her appendectomy surgery and back to living her life. She continues to be grateful for the care she received at MSH, and to donors like you who helped make it possible.

“When you go to the hospital, you really see the impact donors make,” Julia says. “I want to send a huge thank you to supporters and encourage them to keep donating and help out as much as they can.”