Libby Zion

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(November 30, 1965 - March 5, 1984)

Libby Zion, daughter of prominent New York journalist Sidney Zion, died at age 18 after being admitted to New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center with a high fever. A grand jury determined that the long hours of often unsupervised medical interns and residents contributed to her death. While an appeals court exonerated the doctors, the subsequent investigation led New York State to form the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Emergency Services, more commonly known as the Bell Commission. This committee developed a series of regulations that addressed several patient care issues, including restraint usage, medication systems, and resident work hours.

One aspect of these regulations is commonly referred to in the medical community as "the Libby Zion Law" and "the Libby Law," limiting resident working hours, and requiring physician supervision. A follow-up study prompted the New York State Department of Health to crack down on violating hospitals.

The Girl Who Died Twice, published by writer Natalie Robins in 1996, describes the malpractice case that followed the young woman's death, and raises serious questions about the factors that contributed to the event.

Libby Zion was described by friends and family as intelligent, dynamic, and highly charismatic, and her loss affected many. At the time of her death, She attended Bennington College in Vermont, where she is memorialized with the "Libby Zion Award for Dramatic Excellence."