BLOOMINGTON - Dr. Barry Slotky and his wife, Linda, moved to a new home in July. In October, Slotky and his staff relocated his obstetrical and gynecological practice to 107 N. Regency Drive, Bloomington. For Slotky, 67, the moves were more significant after what happened on June 21. | ARCHIVE: Read original story

On that day, the longtime obstetrician-gynecologist was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Arkansas. Not only has Slotky recovered but he has resumed his medical practice.

"Some people are surprised to see that I'm still working," said Slotky, who has delivered thousands of babies and performed thousands of surgeries in Bloomington-Normal since 1973.

"But I'm still delivering babies and still having a good time. In some families, I'm seeing the second and third generations (of patients), which is really quite neat.

"It is still a privilege for me to be a part of peoples' lives."

Slotky was on a motorcycle trip with friends when he was driving slowly down a narrow, curving, two-lane mountain road. When he came around a curve, he saw a motorcycle that was being driven uphill make a wide turn into his lane. Slotky, who was wearing his helmet, turned to avoid the oncoming motorcycle and went off the road, hitting gravel, then dirt and mud as he crashed.

He was rushed to Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton, Ark. He had 10 fractured ribs on his left side, a fractured collarbone, a fractured scapula (shoulder blade), and a fractured toe.

Doctors stabilized him and gave him a brace to wear to immobilize his collar bone and scapula until they healed.

The Slotkys were pleased with the care and attention he received at the small Arkansas hospital.

Meanwhile, phone calls and letters poured in from Bloomington-Normal.

"The wishes of genuine concern helped to keep me going," he said. "It's hard to talk about even now without it bringing tears to my eyes. I'm used to doing for other people. For it to come the other way was overwhelming. It still is."

After several days, Slotky was transferred to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, then was released to recover at home.

"I was home about two weeks when I got bored. I'm not used to sitting around. I missed the staff. I missed the patients."

Slotky followed advice he has given patients for years: "Let your body tell your mind what you can do."

In late July, he began seeing just a few patients a day. As he got stronger he did more. He resumed delivering babies in August and resumed performing surgeries later.

"I feel great. I have full range of motion in my left arm. I do stretching exercises each day. My breathing is fine and I've got good lung capacity."

He resumed riding his motorcycle in October. He has no plans to retire.

"I believed in the grace of God and I'd seen good people doing good things but I hadn't seen it on such a personal level before," Slotky said.

"I've never been happier in my life."