In a word, Vladimir Sluzar says working at the same hospital his father, Roman Sluzar, helped open has been an honour.

Dr. Roman Sluzar, who retired in 1996, was South Peel Hospital’s first anaesthetist.

“I was finishing my course at McGill when a fellow student said that Dr. (L. G.) Brayley was building a new hospital in what was then Cooksville. Dr. Brayley, first chief of staff, was receptive.

Vladimir –- who would become Dr. Vladimir Sluzar, cardiologist –- has cherished memories of walking along the halls of South Peel Hospital as a little boy when his Dad would take him on rounds. “We’d be greeted not just by doctors and nurses but by everyone on the staff including orderlies and maintenance employees.” He says his Dad not only knew everyone’s name but their families as well.

“He taught me that it’s important to remember that everyone who works at the hospital is vital. My father created an awesome legacy. He was loved and respected by everyone. It’s been a huge privilege to do what I do in his footsteps.”

While the father and son only overlapped clinically at cardiac arrests, they were on staff together for 10 years. Over the years, they have witnessed both hospital growth and medical advances.

“The advances in anesthesiology were fantastic,” Dr. Roman Sluzar says. “In the 1950s, you were like a pilot flying by the seat of your pants.” He says that advances in pharmacology and monitoring equipment has increased patient safety while, as the hospital grew from two operating rooms, the types of surgery performed began to include brains, hearts and lungs.

“When we became an advanced cardiac care centre, we added services like open heart surgery,” Dr. Valdimir Sluzar says. “It’s like a hockey player reaching the NHL.”