Dr. Leandro Guimarães, a pediatric surgeon in Brazil, is turning surgery into a fun, empowering experience for children. Instead of fear, his young patients enter the operating room feeling like superheroes. Before surgery, he lets them choose costumes—Batman, The Flash, or others—encouraging them to “fly” or run into the OR with confidence.
If a child is still anxious, he allows a parent to accompany them. His goal? No child enters surgery in tears. Once under anesthesia, the costume is given to the parents. His past experience as a hospital clown taught him that playfulness eases fear, and parents feel reassured seeing their children happy.
Many kids proudly wear their costumes at follow-up visits, associating the hospital with a positive experience. Some even ask for another surgery! For Dr. Guimarães, knowing he turns a scary moment into a joyful memory makes his work deeply rewarding.
