Also known as: Early-onset Alzheimer's
Meredith is running memory tests on her mother Ellis as part of Derek's Alzheimer's clinical trial. The disease drives her decision about which clinical trial to pursue and reflects on her mother's legacy.
Also known as: Type 1 diabetes
Chief Webber proposes a clinical trial for Type 1 diabetes based on Ellis Grey's research on islet cell transplantation. This represents a major subplot as Meredith must choose between this trial and the Alzheimer's trial.
Also known as: Kidney stones
Thatcher presents with severe abdominal pain initially concerning for liver transplant rejection, but is diagnosed with a large kidney stone requiring surgical removal.
Also known as: Dislocated hip
Randy sustained bilateral hip dislocations and multiple fractures after being launched from a human slingshot into a brick wall. Required open reduction of one hip due to joint capsule tear.
Also known as: Underdeveloped left heart
Arizona and Cristina perform a heart transplant on a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, requiring emergency C-section for the recipient. Complications arise requiring anastomosis revision during surgery.
Also known as: Brain death
A brain-dead newborn serves as the heart donor for the hypoplastic left heart transplant case. Lucy Fields delivered this baby and is emotionally affected by the outcome.