Make-A-Wish: Doctor for a Day
DESERT RADIOLOGISTS MAKING A CHILD’S WISH COME TRUE
April 14, 2008
Desert Radiologists made the wish of a Las Vegas girl come true on Monday, April 14th. Ten year old Beatrice Nortey has dreamed of becoming a doctor since she was a toddler. Living with sickle cell anemia, Beatrice has spent a significant amount of time being the patient, but for one day she experienced life from the other side - being a doctor for the day.
Desert Radiologists has a long reputation in the community and philanthropy is a big part of our 42-year history. We were not only looking for a way to give back, but to get involved. After selecting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada as our corporate charity for 2008, we heard Beatrice’s story and knew instantly this was a perfect fit for Desert Radiologists. We immediately began planning her special day.
Beatrice and her family arrived at Desert Radiologists to a red carpet luncheon. She was presented with her official doctor kit that included scrubs, a lab coat, pink Crocs and a doctor bag filled with supplies by Dr. Bruce Topper, Dr. Morris Schaner and Desert Radiologists’ CEO, William Moore. She then met her secret celebrity patient, Sean Patrick Flaherty, who played Bobby J. in last summer’s hit movie, Daddy Day Camp. Sean presented Beatrice with a stuffed animal, Alicia Keys CDs and of course an autographed Daddy Day Camp DVD.
Dr. Beatrice began her rounds shortly after lunch where she simulated a CT scan on her celebrity patient, Sean Patrick. She escorted him onto the scanner table where she prepared him for the exam and provided the necessary protective gear. Dr. Beatrice was a quick learner; she explained the procedure in detail demonstrating the steps of an actual CT scan. She then proceeded to the radiology reading room, where she consulted with Dr. Maureen McCormack on what a radiologist looks for and the equipment used to complete a diagnosis.
Her next stop was at the pediatric department of UMC hospital where she was presented with an honorary medical degree for the day from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Waiting at the “Nortey Clinic” were two patients (dolls) that needed Dr. Beatrice’s immediate attention. Her first patient suffered from a broken leg and a head laceration. She called in the help of pediatric radiologist Dr. Mary Jane Magruder who confirmed the patient needed a cast. Her next patient had swallowed a coin. She again consulted with Dr. Magruder and discovered her patient had a penny that needed to be removed.
After a long day of rounds, Dr. Beatrice’s limo arrived at Desert Radiologists to escort the Nortey family home where Beatrice could continue her dream of becoming a doctor, maybe even joining Desert Radiologists one day!
