Cinnamon “Treat” and Cammi “Trick” and with their owner Med Kiessling “Or” as they visit with Rylan Hughes-Ayers from Summerville, Ga. and Brooklyn Gifford from Dayton
Minions from Children’s Hospital Orthopedics Department pause for a photo op
Pediatric Oncologist, Dr. Avery Mixon (aka Rooster) checks out little Bella Reid from Tunnel Hill, Ga. as her mother Sheila Reid holds her
Pediatric Oncologist Dr. Manoo Bhakta (head farmer) sits with Alicia Bernarding and her daughter, Brooklyn Bernarding from Hixson, as he discusses Brooklyn’s medical tests
Children’s Hospital General Pediatrics Department took on the Western theme this Halloween
Children’s Hospital Oncology and Hematology Department had a few barnyard animals and farmers in their mix
Cartoon characters, animals, and superheroes came to life at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger on Thursday as children celebrated Halloween from their patient treatment rooms and beds.
Officials said, "Holidays can be a difficult time for sick or injured children who are unable to participate in festivities at school, church or in their neighborhood. The staff at Children’s Hospital understands medical care is important in a child’s healing process, but so are extra activities to keep them happy and worry-free. Halloween is just one way to take the scary out of the hospital environment by focusing more on pretend and make-believe."
“We see children who are very sick and face life and death battles every day,” said Dr. Avery Mixon, Children’s Hospital oncologist. “We try to make every day special. If we can make one day of their journey even easier or more fun or memorable, then, no harm in that.”
Throughout the entire day, many patients and their family members had a surprised look on their face or either burst out laughing as Disney characters, superheroes and farm animals scurried from room to room providing patient care at their bedside. Visitors may have seen a cowgirl registering patients at the front desk, bubbly minions reading medical charts at the nurses’ stations, a dog providing medicine to a toddler, a rooster listening to an infant’s heart with a stethoscope, or Mickey Mouse helping with arts and crafts. Even afternoon pet therapy dogs “Trick” and “Treat” played a part in the patients’ healing as children held out their hands for either a sloppy lick or a gentle pat on the head.
“We think we are all big kids at heart,” said Dr. Mixon.
Officials said, "That is why it takes a dedicated medical team to do what they do at Children’s Hospital; to not only save lives and help children get better, but to also remember these are very unique patients who need specialized care from all services available at Children’s Hospital."