46 Izzie Stevens Quotes ― the Merciful ‘Dr. Model’ from Grey’s Anatomy

As the attending surgical oncologist at Mercy Hospital, Izzy Stevens, played by Katherine Heigl, was a force to reckon with. And despite leaving the show after a few seasons, her memories remain embedded in the minds of those she crossed paths with, notably the original group of interns.

She was known to carry a good head on her shoulders. However, she was only human and was prone to a few bad mistakes here and there. Regardless, she had the charm and charisma that saw her face numerous challenges as a young girl to become one of the hospital's most beloved characters.

She was strong and hardworking, but what fans love about her was her witty responses. Read these Izzy Stevens quotes to discover why her colleagues deem her unforgettable.

Izzie Stevens's quote: "Penmanship saves lives!" | Image: Amodays

Izzie Stevens Quotes in High Spirits

"You never know the biggest day of your life is going to be the biggest..." — Izzie Stevens

"Great, let's get started." — Izzie Stevens

"Penmanship saves lives!" — Izzie Stevens

"I inherited eight million dollars." — Izzie Stevens

"You wanna call me Dr. Model? That's fine. But just remember that while you're all still sitting on 200 grand of student loans, I'm out of debt." — Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens's quote: "Isn't this so cool? I mean, can you believe it? Tomorrow we're gonna be surgeons." | Image: Amodays

"I believe that it's been a hell of a year, and I believe that in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, we'll all be okay... And I believe that if I eat a tub of butter and no one sees me, then calories don't count. And I believe that surgeons who prefer staples over stitches are just lazy." — Izzie Stevens

"The days you think are going to be the big ones, they are never as big as you make them out to be in your head. It's the regular days, the ones that start out normal. Those are the days that end up being the biggest." — Izzie Stevens

"Isn't this so cool? I mean, can you believe it? Tomorrow we're gonna be surgeons." — Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens' quote: "I'm sure. I'm ok. 'll be ok." Mrs Stevens" "Well, if you're not, you know where to find me." | Image: Amodays

"Mrs. Stevens: Are you sure you don't want me to stay?

Izzie: I'm sure. I'm ok. I'll be ok.

Mrs. Stevens: Well, if you're not, you know where to find me.

Izzie: I love you, mom. I love you so much. But, we do better loving each other from a distance.

Mrs. Stevens: You were always too good for that trailer park. That I knew. I may not know that much, and I may not be quite as smart as you. I always knew that." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Alex's quote: "We could move back to Meredith's." Izzie: You did not just say that!" | Image: Amodays

"Meredith will survive this. I believe - I - I believe in the good..."

"Alex: We could move back to Meredith's.

Izzie: You did not just say that!

Alex: Why not?

Izzie: Because we're married now. This is how it's supposed to be. You and me, out in the world, making a life for ourselves. Besides, don't you just enjoy waking up to the fresh air and the sounds of birds chirping?

Alex: You know what I enjoy? I enjoy plumbing! I enjoy plumbing so much!

Izzie: It's not that I don't love it at Mer's. I do. It's just, I just, I can't move backward, Alex. Not after everything that's... I just need to keep moving forward. Ok?" — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzy Stevens' quote: “That's how you stay alive. When it hurts so much, you can't breathe, that's how you survive.” | Image: Amodays

"And so if I did cut the L-Vad wire, and I'm not saying I did, but if I did, then no. I don't feel guilty. And I know that I should and I would if it were anybody else. But I can't feel anything but happy." — Izzie Stevens

“That's how you stay alive. When it hurts so much, you can't breathe, that's how you survive.” — Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens Quotes Filled with Love

"Hey, you're Addison Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd. That's a lot of names, a lot of rich-sounding names. You're rich, right? That's rude. That's a rude question. I'm sorry. It's just I'm rich now, too." — Izzie Stevens

"He doesn't make me feel like I'm a pretty girl. He makes me feel like... like me. I think he might know me." — Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens' quote: “Just if it comes down to it, just let me go. And right now, kiss me.” | Image: Amodays

"Alex: So I'm not going anywhere, and you can stop hiding. And if you wanna be scared, that's okay; just be scared with me. Be scared while you scrub in with me on my first solo surgery. Okay?

Izzie: You love me.

Alex: Shut up. [kisses her, leaves] Solo surgery!

Denny: I'm really starting to not like that guy." — "Grey's Anatomy"

“Just if it comes down to it, just let me go. And right now, kiss me.” — Izzie Stevens

Alex's quote: "What is this?" Izzie: :What? I can't fantasize about my boyfriend and his bright, bright future? | Image: Amodays

"Because we're married now. This is how it's supposed to be. You and me, out in the world, making a life for ourselves." — Izzie Stevens

"Izzie: Look at you, with your stethoscope around your neck. Charting. I can totally see you in 10 years. A little salt and pepper in your hair, a big shot attending. You're gonna be a rock star, Alex.

Alex: What is this?

Izzie: What? I can't fantasize about my boyfriend and his bright, bright future.

Alex: Shut up." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens's quote: "I hate you." Alex: "Shut up." | Image: Amodays

"Izzie: You do glow.

Alex: Like the moon."

Izzie: I hate you.

Alex: Shut up.

Izzie: (takes her meds) Ok. Good. Thank you.

Alex: Shut up. Get back to work. " — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens' quote: "ALEX!" Alex: "What?" | Image: Amodays

"Alex: I know you like teaching, and that's great, but you need to start treating real patients[...] And Izz, you can be a great surgeon. We could be great together. You just, you gotta stop screwing around. Because I don't wanna be the future of this hospital if you're not there with me. Okay?

Izzie: Okay.

Alex: (walks away)

Izzie: ALEX!

Alex: What?

Izzie: (kisses him)

"You kissed me... Should we?... I mean, there's a discussion that we could have... if you wanted to have one?" — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens' quote: Why, you are realy tweaking out. How long's it been since you've cut?" Cristina: "Over a week." | Image: Amodays

"Izzie: And I know you care about me too, and it's not too late for us.

Alex: Get outta my room.

Izzie: Admit it. I know you care about me, too. I know you do. I care about you. I care about you. I care about you. I care about you. I care about you! I… [they kiss]" — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens Quotes from Significant Life Situations

"Cristina: Did I tell you how great your hair looks? It's all short and, um, edgy.

Izzie: Why, you are really tweaking out. How long's it been since you've cut?

Cristina: Over a week.

Izzie: Ooh." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Meredith's quote: I got married on a Post-it." Cristina: "You guys got married for real!" | Image: Amodays

"Izzie: You got married on a Post-it!

Meredith: I got married on a Post-it.

Cristina: You guys got married for real!

Izzie: I got cancer!" — "Grey's Anatomy"

"Meredith: If I show you the dress, you can never tell anyone. Cos it's bad, really, really bad.

Izzie: Ok, fine. It will be our little secret. (Mer walks out in this gigantic poofy white dress) Oh wow. (Izzie takes a picture)

Meredith: Photos are not secret!" — "Grey's Anatomy"

Alex's quote: "Your wig. it was crooked." Izzie: Ow!" | Image: Amodays

"I feel like I'm moving in slow motion. Like I'm moving in slow motion, and everything around me is moving so fast, and I just want to go back to when things were normal." — Izzie Stevens

"Izzie: You can't do this. You can't treat me like I'm sick. My patients need to have faith in me. What are you doing?

Alex: Your wig, it was crooked.

Izzie: Ow!

Alex: Look, I'll stop hovering if you stop acting like an idiot. Your next pill's at 2 o'clock. You can't take it on an empty stomach.

Izzie: Ok." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens' quote: "Ow, I said I have a headache." Alex: "Page Shepherd." | Image: Amodays

"[to Alex] I'm gonna work in Tacoma, and it's gonna be awesome, and you're gonna be jealous." — Izzie Stevens

"Alex: Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up...

Izzie: I have a headache.

Alex: You're up... You're up, and you're talking. You talked, right? Talk!

Izzie: Ow, I said I have a headache.

Alex: Page Shepherd.

Izzie: Ow.

Alex: Sorry." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Alex's quote: What's going on? You paged us." Meredith: "Check your email." | Image: Amodays

"God got a virgin pregnant by magic. God isn't playing by the rules." — Izzie Stevens

"Alex: What's going on? You paged us.

Meredith: Check your email.

Izzie: For what?

Meredith: HR. If you got cut, you'll have an email. I didn't get one, but... I've been calm through this crisis. I have been calm. But if one of us gets cut, I will not be calm!

Cristina: No email.

Alex: I'm fine.

Izzie: I'm good too.

Meredith: Good. See, I knew it! I knew it! I knew none of us would get cut.

Cristina: Yet. There's gonna be another round." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens' quote: "Eating is a sport?" | Image: Amodays

"Izzie: Maybe Cristina's right. Maybe trying to teach the interns is pointless.

George: Please, don't listen to Cristina. She thinks [...] that you're the new me.

Izzie: Haha, O'Malley, the sequel.

George: O'Malley 2.0" — "Grey's Anatomy"

"Eating is a sport?" — Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens' quote: "Dr Bailey, if something goes wrong..." Bailey: "It won't." | Image: Amodays

"We'll see you soon, Dr. Stevens." — Derek

"Izzie: I hope so.

Bailey: Know so.

Izzie: Dr Bailey, if something goes wrong...

Bailey: It won't.

Izzie: The scarf, I made it for you." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Intern 1's quote: "You're back!" Izzie: "I am." | Image: Amodays

It's a beautiful night to save lives. Let's get started." — Derek

"Izzie: You read more journals and do more research, and log more hours in the skills lab than any other resident here. You never give up on trying to be a better doctor, and you don't step on other people to do it. I would be lucky to be the new you.

George: Are you gonna tell me about patient X?" — "Grey's Anatomy"

"Intern 1: You're back!

Izzie: I am.

Intern 2: My mom's whole church prayed for you." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Alex's quote: [...] I was protecting you." Izzie: "You got me fired, Alex." | Image: Amodays

"Izzie: Thank you.

Steve: It looks really real.

Izzie: I know, right? " — "Grey's Anatomy"

"What self-respecting surgeon wears salmon-colored scrubs?" — Izzie Stevens

"Alex: So are you back or...

Izzie: Oh, did you want me to come back? Cause you told the Chief you had serious doubts about my abilities to be here.

Alex: What?

Izzie: You went behind my back and told the Chief I wasn't ready to be here.

Alex: [...] I was protecting you.

Alex: Is that what you think?

Izzie: This job was the one thing I had left, the one thing, and you took that away from me. You interfered and got me fired. I have forgiven you for a lot, Alex. I've had to forgive you for a lot, but I cannot forgive you for this.

Alex: You made an assumption. You decided I did something. You didn't ask. You didn't hang around to talk. I am your husband, and you didn't give me the benefit of the doubt. So you know what? I can't forgive you either. " — "Grey's Anatomy"

Cristina's quote: "Oh god, you are so not fine." Meredith: "I'd be fine if I knew Derek was fine." | Image: Amodays

"Meredith: What are you doing here? I told you I was fine.

Cristina: Oh god, you are so not fine.

Meredith: I'd be fine if I knew Derek was fine." — "Grey's Anatomy"

"You still haven't heard from him? Not a word? — Izzie Stevens

(shakes her head)"This isn't real, is it? I'm just gonna keep my eyes close because this is like that moment in the morning when you first wake up, and you're still half asleep, and everything seems... things are possible, dreams feel true, and for that one moment between waking and sleeping, anything can be real, and then you open your eyes, and the sun hits you, and then you realize that... I'm just gonna keep my eyes closed." — Meredith

Izzie Stevens' quote: "What are you waiting for?!?" Denny: (kisses her) "This." | Image: Amodays

"Denny: I really hope this is heaven.

Izzie: Go!

Denny: Yeah.

Izzie: What are you waiting for?!?

Denny: (kisses her) This." — "Grey's Anatomy"

"Owen: He had a couple of months, and we just took that away.

Izzie: I'm sorry, it's my fault.

Owen: No, it's my fault. It was my call, and it was the wrong call. I was wrong, and I should have known better. I should have... I should have taught better. You see one in a million, and you want to believe. I was wrong [...] I was wrong to put you on this case. You weren't ready. You weren't ready to be here. You beat the odds, Steven's; you were one in a million. But you cannot be a doctor and a patient in here. You have to choose." — "Grey's Anatomy"

"Izzie: Leave... Leave!

Denny: I can go now because, you know, but it's your choice, you get to choose, but Izz, if I go, I don't know if I can come back. If I go...

Izzie: In a choice between heaven and hell, I choose heaven. I choose life! Go! " — "Grey's Anatomy"

Qwen's quote: "He had a couple of months, and we just took that away." Izzie: "I'm sorry. it's my fault." | Image: Amodays

"Alex: Is there some kind of timeline on this? Or...

Doctor: Your wife is living with cancer Dr Karev. Right now, the cancer has stopped growing. With cancer this aggressive, that's a pretty stunning success. There's no timeline. There's just... we watch it. We wait. We hope it doesn't start to grow again.

Izzie: That's it?

Doctor: That's it." — "Grey's Anatomy"

Izzie Stevens' quote: "What self-respecting surgeon wears salmon-colored scrubs?" | Image: Amodays

When it came to Izzy Stevens, it did not matter whether one was a fan of medical drama shows. She mesmerized fans from all walks of life, even as she made some major decisions that meant life or death for her patients.

Starring alongside a number of other Hollywood A-listers such as Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, and Chandra Wilson, she and the team brought their A-game to TV and left fans glued to their screens for hours.

If you fancy some more drama, check out this stellar performance from only the best, Steve Carrell and Jenna Fischer, in the funny yet relatable film "The Office." You can also read these quotes if you seek inspiration to carry you through your day.