Jill Kleczko

Some have said that I’m a miracle - I just think I am working with a miracle surgeon (Dr. William Ricci) & physical therapy team (Sophie Grigaux and Bob Turner) at HSS!

2025 is the Year to Thrive, and I am Back in the Game - brought back from a polytrauma, near-death accident. My HSS team has helped me get Back in the Game of life while being under terrific care, healing, walking again (see YouTube video link), having a full recovery, and back working at a job I love in clinical trials management.

On November 26, 2024, I was walking from the NYC subway to work. I was one block away when I was struck and run over twice by an SUV. I was brought to the hospital, where Dr. Ricci and the orthopedic trauma team went to work. I had experienced polytrauma and fractured over 10 bones in my body (pelvis, left tibial plateau, left and right scapulas, several ribs, several vertebrae, etc). Two surgeries later by Dr. Ricci on my pelvis and left tibial plateau, I was on the mend. I spent a month in the hospital, and shortly thereafter began physical therapy at HSS.

My story - the HSS surgical and medical teams who have helped me get Back in the Game as well as family and friends - is a story that I hope inspires people to take a positive disposition and look at the bright side while confronting such orthopedic trauma.

This story will continue into the future - I look forward to resuming all physical activities under HSS' care - SoulCycle spin class, Pickleball, aerial yoga, etc. - and certainly am 100% thankful for the care I continue to receive at HSS!

October 13, 2025:

I’m proud to have a continuation to my first “Back in the Game” story, where my wishes came true! I have now, 10.5 months after my near-death crash, been able to resume all my favorite activities thanks to the world-class PT at HSS.

On November 26, 2024, my world was turned upside down. I was walking from the NYC subway to work. I was one block away when I was struck and run over twice by an SUV. I was brought to the hospital, where Dr. William Ricci and the orthopedic trauma team went to work. I had experienced polytrauma and fractured over 10 bones in my body (pelvis, left tibial plateau, left and right scapulae, several ribs, several vertebrae, etc.). Two surgeries later by Dr. Ricci on my pelvis and left tibial plateau, I was on the mend. I spent a month in the hospital, and shortly thereafter began physical therapy at HSS.

However, everything felt different – I was walking with a cane and had to re-learn how to walk – having had 2 major surgeries and hardware implanted. I also had to re-learn how to walk up and down steps which was quite challenging. My physical therapist, Robert “Bob” Turner, was there to guide me through these challenges. I practiced everything first in PT, which was a safe place to learn. No matter what question I had, Bob had the appropriate exercise, stretch, or drill I should practice next. Bob gave me the confidence to tackle the small and the large things first in PT, and then in the world outside, and reminded me to be patient with myself.

HSS PT not only got me Back in the Game but back to my favorite activities which I wasn’t sure was possible given the severity of my crash. I joined a gym, and began taking yoga classes again. After riding the stationary bike in PT every week, I found the courage to resume SoulCycle spin classes, now twice a week - my favorite exercise! And finally, after practicing specific drills and exercises in PT, I resumed playing pickleball.

I am so thankful that I was able to reach all of my PT goals, thanks to hard work, HSS, and expert PT!