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Monday Motivation | January 6, 2025

Who Would Do That?

Vatche Ayvazian
Celebrating the 90th Birthday of the man who saved my life, Dr. Vatche Ayvazian.

Who would do that?

This was the question my son asked last weekend. He wanted to know why I was planning to wake up early the following day, drive six hours to Cincinnati, surprise a friend for his birthday, and then turn around to drive home after just 30 minutes since I had to get back for a previously scheduled commitment.

To Patrick, it seemed like a nicely written card or a gift mailed in advance would have been a sufficient gesture, but I shared with my son a few reasons why this person mattered enough to be there in person.

The Saturday I was burned, an ambulance raced me away from our burning home, and immediately, an unimaginable sense of panic consumed me. Arriving at the emergency room at Mercy Hospital, the first person to treat this terribly burned little boy greeted me by name, had a confident warmth in his eyes and filled a scared kid with a little hope. Despite it being the weekend, he had left his family that morning to begin lifesaving work on a critically burned patient.

Who would do that? Dr. Vatche Ayvazian.

Early every morning, seven days a week throughout my recovery, one individual made rounds to his patients’ rooms. Each visit he took time to not only connect with us patients but to also remind the professionals he rounded with that they weren’t just doing a task; they were shouldering the sacred role of keeping patients alive. He wanted each person to know they mattered and were valued.

Who would do that? Dr. Vatche Ayvazian.

Two months into my hospitalization, a surgical procedure broke my heart. My fingers on both hands were amputated, robbing me not only of playing baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, but ostensibly stealing any chance of a normal life. Late that evening, the man who did the surgery entered my room, apologized for what he had done that day, but sweetly shared that contrary to how I currently felt, he hadn’t taken my life. Instead, he was trying to give it back to me.

Who would do that? Dr. Vatche Ayvazian.

After five months in hospital, dozens of surgeries, and preparing to be released from the hospital, there was a knock at my door. An individual entered my room, turned off my television, sat on the bed, cleared his throat and said, “John, you are a champion and can still do almost anything you want in your life. Perhaps you won’t be a court reporter, but you can be a lawyer or a judge. You may not play baseball again, but you can be a manager or own a team. John, if you want to get married and raise kids and have an incredible life, you can! You are a remarkable little boy; you can still live an amazing life.” Then, he bent down and kissed me on my forehead.

Who would do that? Dr. Vatche Ayvazian.

The reasons above, along with countless others, are why last Saturday, as he prepared for his 90th birthday party, Dr. Ayvazian heard the doorbell ring. He answered the door in his suit and looked up in shock at the face of a patient from 37 years ago. With stunned tears in his eyes, he couldn’t believe I had made the trip to simply give him a hug and tell him I loved him. He looked at me and asked, “Who would do such a thing?”

I didn’t answer. I simply hugged the man whose entire life personified doing exactly such a thing.

This is your day. Live Inspired

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50 replies on “Who Would Do That?”

1992 you work on our 18 month old son Dustin, He had 2nd and 3 degree burns on his chest after pulling a coffee down on his self at a event.. Just want to thank you again for the work you put in on him at such a young age.. He has recovered fully and join the Army and became a Police Officer.. and has two beautiful girls.. so Thank You again… God Bless.

Dr. Ayvazian and his family were my nextdoor neighbors in/about 1974. His wife and my Mom became fast friends, and they stayed in touch for decades. They had daughters that bracketed me in age, and we would play together often.

Dr. Ayvazian performed surgeries on me, my brother, and my father at various points in our lives. When I was nearly killed by a dog, he was the first person my mom called to come help.

Sadly, as often happens, time eroded that relationship, and I don’t think my mom had heard from them after 2000 or so.

I’m disappointed my parents didn’t live to see their friend portrayed in Soul On Fire. I teared up when I realized he was going to be part of the story (the trip in the Mercy ambulance in the movie was my clue).

Thank you for taking the time to visit him on his birthday last year. He and his wife are two of the most caring people the world has ever seen.

He was my doctor too he saved my life with half the burns john had .but it was a rough time thank god i had the best doctor in the world

Thank you for sharing your story of God’s Love and Grace thru your life, the other real heroes and the gift of His Son, my Savior. Mahalo nui loa, bill

I just saw the movie Soul on Fire. I used to work at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in the late 70s early 80s and when I heard the names of the burn nurse(roy whitehorn) and Dr Vatche Ayvazian) the burn doctor, I realized I knew them. I had not been there in 1987 when John O’Leary was admitted, but the story touched me so much more.

I worked with Dr Atvazian for 6 years in the Burn Unit and I saw how he cared and loved his patients to the highest standards of care. He worked diligently and was always there when needed. Of all the doctors I have worked with he is the greatest and most compassionate man I have ever known. I am sorry for your accident, but I know you had the best skilled doctor that could have been there.

I was so fortunate to work with Dr. Ayvazian from 1988 -1993. He is truly an angel and the most modest, kindest, gentle and incredible surgeon and human being I have ever met! He loved every one of his patients as if they were his very own family! John always inspired us as he continued his journey of healing because of Dr. Ayvazian’s skills and ability to heal! Happy belated birthday, Dr. Ayvazian! You look amazing!

I am trying to find purpose and meaning after losing my job, and I keep asking myself what I can learn from this experience. As I search for inspiration, I find myself drawn to your book and blog, where I’ve been struck by the impact of small acts of kindness. Even though they may seem insignificant, these moments feel like life-changing experiences when I read about them. I firmly believe that if we were all just a bit more kind to each other, the world would be a safer and more loving place for our loved one

Beautiful story, John. I continue to be “in awe” of the way you share so much of yourself and your story with all of us who follow you. I never cease to be amazed and inspired! Blessings to you and your family and to that compassionate Dr. Ayvazian who made such a profound difference in your life so that you could later become a blessing to so many!!

I have been ill and unable to focus lately. It’s your message I have missed the most. It not only inspirers us to be more but confirms in us the true value of humanity. Who Would Do That? My faith tells me Who, how about You?

What a perfect way to honor Dr.Ayvazian! Thank you for your emails and inspiring us to do our best.
I’m looking forward to the showing of your story on film!

Thanks for reminding me that our presence in the moment is invaluable. Thank you for Dr. Vatche Ayvazian for the care you extended to your patients, and I am sure the many others that you have touched throughout your life. John, thank you for bringing this message to many people. This is a time where we need to share positivity.

So heartwarming and uplifting. We never know how our actions can really touch someone profoundly!! Thank you for sharing that, John, and for doing what you did!!

Thank you for sharing the profound impact that we each have the power to make on the people in our lives. You are both inspiring!

Amazing story of an amazing man who encouraged a little boy to be all he could be. John, your accident turned out to be a defining moment for the rest of your life in a most inspiring way! The number of people you have impacted is immeasurable! Thank you for always sharing stories that deeply touch our hearts!

I worked with him in the OR at St. John’s/Mercy for many years, including when he first came as an older resident for training to get a medical license. He was always kind and patient and had an unexpected since of humor. I loved working with him and the way that he treated patients and also the people that worked with him. He always treated me as a friend and didn’t mind if I called him by his first name. There was a time when the daughter of a friend from high school was in the OR from serious burns that required an amputation. When I mentioned that I went to high school with the parents, he insisted that I go with him to talk to the parents because he thought it would be comforting to them. And I was there when you were there, John. If you are able to send me a private email, I would love to send him birthday wishes, even if it is late.

What an inspiring story, John and I can see that you would do that! YOU are inspiring!❤️ I played bunco with Vatche’s wife, Maria. What a great couple! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story!

Thank you John for sharing this wonderful and inspiring story. I thank God for people like you and this doctor who reminds us all how far kindness can take us. God bless.

Who would do that? Dr. Vatche Ayvazian would
Who would do that? John O’Leary would
Who will do that? Me! You inspire me to be God’s hands and feet! Three “wise guys” traveled a long distance to visit the CHRIST-CHILD. Those wise guys then left to tell others about the child! Come and see; Go and tell!
Thanks to you, John!

John, thanks once again for inspiring us! I remember “that day” like yesterday, sitting in my office at “St. John’s” on Saturday morn, 1/18/‘87, when our chaplain came in and let me know what was going on. We prayed together for a moment. You – and the great Vatche – continue to inspire me every day. I thank you both!

John, I look forward to reading your LIVE INSPIRED messages every time it pops into my email. After reading your stories, I’m a better person by learning the meaning of your INSPIRED life. Many thanks for sharing! Tim Hannon

When I first started reading this story, I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. As I write this I’ve already dried my tears. I had the privilege of hearing you speak several years ago at a GM conference I attended. That’s where I dropped my email into the pot, so to speak, and began receiving your weekly inspirational stories. Thank you for what you share. You do truly inspire me. The word Hope has been MY word since I was very young. Your story and stories, share hope to all who read and hear them. On your hard days, I pray you go back and read from people like me, how you have truly made a difference in our lives. You are appreciated and prayed for. Again… thank you.

Love this message, Thx John! I can vaguely picture him at St. Johns and can definitely hear his voice in my head. Glad you made the trek – it isn’t easy but showing up was everything!

I love that you read your brother’s stuff! 💕 I love close families that keep tabs on each other. I’m so very thankful for mine!

There is nothing better than face to face. You have set a wonderful role model for your child to do “magical” things. It also illustrated to your child how important this person was to you. Sacrificing your personal time to give back to a person who gave you so much!! I zoom call would not have given that person the same feeling, nor allowed you to see the gift you gave him of your presence. Another great lesson John!!

John, you never cease to amaze me with your heartwarming stories! Each one with such thought-provoking depth. I generally shed a few tears but they’re tears of joy! Keep inspiring us, please!

What an uplifting appropriate story on the feast day of St. Andre’ Bessette ,the miracle worker of Montreal, a humble brother at Notre Dame College in Montreal who lived his Catholic faith. Thanks John for your miraculous faithfilled life and stories.

What a tremendous story…Two extraordinary persons demonstrating extraordinary love. Thank you for sharing these experiences with all of us.

John, my moms best friend for 70 years was Barb Kemper. Dr. Ayvaian’s assistant for many years. When this 14 year old boy (now 62) was in a motorcycle accident, full of cuts, rocks in my knee, and scared came home, my mom called Barb. She got me in to Dr. Ayvajan even though he was Head of the Burn Unit at Mercy. Oh, I got his opinion of motorcycles over 4+ hours of fixing up. There were a few more visits to Dr. Ayvajan, small insignificant things but he always found time to ask how I was doing in school, what plans I had for the future. The Head of Mercy Burn Unit cared and I will never forget his compassion. Small world story, eventually moved into a house that he lived in earlier in his career off Ballas Road. After one of many small fatty tumor removals, told him where I lived. He got such a kick out of it. He too loved that house!

Thanks for sharing & being such a role model for so many John. This is beautiful & we should all be so blessed to have someone (or multiple someone’s) in our lives that we would do that for.

John…if you’re trying to make me cry you succeeded! This helped restore my faith that there are caring people in the world. I am so tired of the hate and lies put forth by the President elect that I needed this reminder. Live inspired!

What a tremendous story…Two extraordinary persons demonstrating extraordinary love. Thank you for sharing these experiences with all of us.

Love this story. I met you in St Louis during a DOT business meeting. Thanks for Sharing. He as well as you make us think about the little things in life.

I love this! Thank you for the inspiration, and to remind us what really matters, sharing our appreciation to others, especially in person.

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