On June 2, Benedykt Hewelt walked back into St. Paul’s Hospital after 45 years with his family beside him to thank staff for life saving surgery and care.
In 1981, Benedykt arrived at St. Paul’s in shock with severe injuries after falling about 40 feet while working on a ship in Vancouver.
Life saving care at St. Paul’s Hospital
Doctors and nurses acted fast. They stabilized him and moved him to surgery that lasted almost 10 hours. They removed a damaged kidney, repaired broken bones, and treated life-threatening trauma. They cared for him through complications and a long recovery.
He stayed in hospital for about four months. At first, he couldn’t stand. Step by step, with staff beside him, he learned to walk again. Benedykt needed a cane when he left, but he also had a second chance.
A return visit after 45 years
This week, he came back with one clear message: thank you.
“I am happy to be here again after 45 years,” Benedykt said. “Thank you for giving me a second life after my accident.”
He and his family, including two sons and two granddaughters, travelled from Poland to help him mark this moment. His granddaughter Katarzyna helped tell the story and translate for him.
She said the visit meant a lot to the whole family.
“It was a big trip, and it was a big deal for Grandpa and the entire family,” Katarzyna said.
Fiona Dalton, President and CEO of Providence Health Care joined the visit with staff from surgery, emergency care, spiritual health, and other hospital areas.
“Welcome back to St. Paul’s Hospital,” she said.
The family brought gifts from their home region in northern Poland. They gave staff Polish sweets and presented a lucky tree with amber from the Baltic Sea to Fiona.
“There was a Polish priest back then when Grandpa was here, and he received confession,” she said. “That is a very important detail for our family.”
The care Benedykt received at St. Paul’s shaped his life. After he left hospital, he went back to Poland, worked, and raised five children. He later returned to work on ships.
“I was able to come home again to my wife and my children,” Benedykt said.
The impact of hospital care
The family said Benedykt, now 95, has told the story many times over the years. St. Paul’s Hospital became part of the family’s history.
Katarzyna said the hospital’s warm response to their first email helped the family decide to come to Vancouver.
“When we got the reply from the hospital, we knew we had to plan the trip,” she said.
For staff, the visit gave a rare chance to see what can happen after care given many years ago.
For Benedykt and his family, the visit brought the story back to where it began.
“It’s very good to be here again after 45 years,” he said.
The visit ended with food, photos, and more stories. It was a simple visit with a lasting message. The care you provide can stay with a person for life.
Story by Marcelo Dominguez, Providence Health Care
