A TOUCHING tribute has been paid to a former Solihull Hospital surgeon who helped many in their hour of need.
John Polyzoides, who worked in orthopeadics at the Lode Lane Hospital for more than two decades, died at home on the Greek island of Paros on December 23 – the day before his 88th birthday.
The former consultant surgeon worked in the borough from 1973 until he retired in 1994 and the work he carried out during that time has been described as ‘pioneering’ by Dr Chris Stockdale, a former Shirley GP and friend of Mr Polyzoides.
Dr Sockdale said Mr Polyzoides helped relieve the pain and discomfort of thousands of patients when he introduced a new knee joint replacement – The Rotaglide Total Knee – which took over ten years to develop.
Dr Stockdale also said Mr Polyzoides was a figurehead in building The Solihull Institute of Medical Training and Research (SIMTR).
Paying tribute Dr Stockdale said: “His unexpected passing has caused immense heartache amongst his family and many friends that will always endure.
“I met John professionally in 1973. I was a family doctor working in Shirley and soon realised that Solihull was the beneficiary of a wise and devoted clinician who worked tirelessly and had an exemplary skill set.
“During those halcyon days of general practice he was one of many consultants always instantly available at the end of the phone with advice and support and he never refused to see a patient immediately.
“We soon became friends and it was my privilege to assist him in Theatre nearly every Friday for the next two decades and work alongside him in a sports injury clinic.
“I learnt so much from him and could often hear myself repeating his many phrases and maxims in an a bid to try and emulate his exemplary and admirable principles.
“He was alternately my father, brother and son but always my friend.”
Mr Polyzoides was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1934 and has Greek Macedonian parents.
In his teenage years he studied at the Victoria College in Alexandria and after qualifying in medicine left Egypt in 1962.
Dr Stockdale says Mr Polyzoides arrived at Paddington Station in London with just five pounds in his pocket and embarked upon his orthopaedic career at the Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton.
He then worked in Bristol, Birmingham and Coventry before becoming a consultant in accident and orthopaedic surgery at Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals.
After his retirement Mr Polyzoides built a house on the Isle of Paros in the Aegean with his wife Jean where he worked on his novel.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation in Mr Polyzoides’ memory should do so to the University Hospital Birmingham’s Charity at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
