<P> Isobel "Izzie" Katherine Stevens, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States . The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and was portrayed by actress Katherine Heigl from 2005 to 2010 . Introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Izzie worked her way up to resident level, while her relationships with her colleagues Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), George O'Malley (T.R. Knight) and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) formed a focal point of the series . </P> <P> Heigl garnered critical acclaim for her performance as Izzie and received numerous awards and nominations for her role, winning the "Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series" at the 2007 Emmy Awards . She was critical of the character's development during the show's fourth season, particularly her romance with George . She declined to put herself forward for the 2008 Emmy Awards, citing insufficient material in the role . After speculation that Izzie would be killed off in the fifth season, the character was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma . She married Alex in the series' one - hundredth episode, and afterwards, her tumor was successfully removed . Izzie made her final appearance in the sixth season, leaving Seattle after Alex refused to resume their marriage . Heigl requested to be released from her contract 18 months early, in order to spend more time with her family . In January 2012, Heigl reported that she would like to return to Grey's Anatomy to give closure to her character, however, Rhimes confirmed that there were no plans to have the character return at that time and has since stated that she has no plans to ever re-approach Izzie's storyline again . </P> <P> Izzie appears in the first episode of Grey's Anatomy, meeting fellow interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Alex Karev, and George O'Malley . She and George move in with Meredith and become best friends . Izzie's boyfriend, hockey player Hank (Jonathan Scarfe), struggles to accept her new role as a surgeon, and the two break up . Izzie is hurt when Alex exposes her past as a lingerie model . However, the two later go on to begin a friendship and then a romance . Alex experiences sexual dysfunction with Izzie and cheats on her with nurse Olivia Harper (Sarah Utterback). When Izzie finds out, she breaks up with him, though they briefly reunite following a bomb incident at the hospital . Izzie reveals while treating a pregnant teenager that she had a daughter at the age of 16 and gave her up for adoption . Izzie falls in love with cardiothoracic patient Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and the two become engaged . When Denny's condition deteriorates, Izzie deliberately worsens his health further by cutting his LVAD wire to move him up the donor register . Although Denny receives a new heart, he has a stroke hours later and dies . Izzie is the sole beneficiary of Denny's will, inheriting $8.7 million . She uses the money to open a free clinic at the hospital: the Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic . </P> <P> Izzie disapproves of George's relationship and marriage to orthopedic resident Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez). She and George sleep together, and attempt to keep their liaison a secret . George and resident Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) are the only people aware that Izzie gave birth to a daughter at the age of sixteen; ultimately the child was given up for adoption . He supports Izzie when her daughter Hannah (Liv Hutchings), diagnosed with leukemia, arrives at Seattle Grace Hospital in need of a bone marrow transplant from Izzie . Izzie's feelings for George grow, and she reveals that she has fallen in love with him . When Callie discovers George has been unfaithful, the two separate, and George and Izzie embark on a short - lived relationship, only to discover there is no real chemistry between them . </P>

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