Can you believe it's been 11 years since Dr. Meredith Grey and her love-torn medical colleagues first made their debut on TV? Even after more than a decade of watching Grey navigate her busy life of medicine, romance and motherhood, it almost feels like yesterday when she was first enrolling in the former Seattle Grace Hospital's internship program.
But before "Grey's Anatomy" returns this Thursday at 8 EST/PST / 7 CST, take a moment to recap what the dedicated crew of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital have been up to below.
Season 10 showed Dr. Grey performing a life juggling act of her career, marriage and motherhood. But tragedy struck the hospital early when Dr. Heather Brooks was electrocuted and Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Ross were unable to resuscitate her. Dr. Karev also reconnected with his father Jimmy but was dismayed to learn that he had family in another state. Before the father/son could make amends, Jimmy passed away due to a botched surgery.
Dr. Cristina Yang teamed up with Dr. Ross for research on heart conduits, while Grey continued the research that her mother was doing before her death. Dr. Robbins enjoyed many steamy encounters with Dr. Leah Murphy, but Robbins eventually reconciled with Dr. Torres and the couple decided to have another baby, with Robbins asking Torres to carry it.
Dr. Kepner and Dr. Avery navigated romantic struggle too, as Kepner realized that her faith and Avery's lack thereof would be a major hurdle in their relationship. However, Avery showed his dedication by announcing he wanted to go to church with Kepner and his family.
Dr. Yang faced a major career conflict as she was nominated for and subsequently lost the Harper Avery Award likely due to the foundation owning the hospital. But Yang received high interest for her research even after losing, and was invited to a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, which later turned out to be a job offer from her former beau and colleague Dr. Preston Burke. Yang accepts the offer.
A possible act of terrorism grips Seattle as Yang begins to say her farewells. Her love interest Dr. Owen Hunt gets caught up in surgery as Yang departs the hospital. But the she steps towards the glass and makes eye contact and gives a head nod to Hunt, serving as a thoughtful goodbye between the duo.
Get a sneak peak at the next season of "Grey's Anatomy" below.
Learn more about "Grey's Anatomy" at ABC.com.