Doctor for a Day, Maoz, 9

Maoz Lixenberg has been treated in the Hemato-Oncology Department at Schneider Children’s for a brain tumor for the past 6 years. When Maoz asked his parents, Hadas and Nachum, if he could be “Dr. Maoz” for a day at Schneider, dressed accordingly in a white gown sporting a stethoscope, they contacted Ezer Mizion non-profit organization which made the arrangements with the hospital to fulfil his wish.

On the appointed day, Maoz met with a range of personnel in the hospital including Deputy Director, Dr. Avinoam Pirogovsky, who explained to him how to listen to the heart beat with the stethoscope; Dr. Yaacov Katz, Director of the Surgical Suite, who showed him the workings of the operating room; oncologists Dr. Jerry Stein and Dr. Helen Toledano, who had treated him in the Oncology Department; Dr. Dana Zinger, who had treated him in the ER; hospital clown Dr. Serhio, and even with Spiderman and Superman who were visiting the hospital to cheer hospitalized children.

His mother said afterwards, “How amazing that a hospital which saved my son’s life several times when he was in critical condition, can fulfill his wish and give him such a special day. This cannot be taken for granted.”