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Four heroes make the day ‘super’ for Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital patients

Alexia Heilman has long admired Spiderman. The 11-year-old loves the thought of a superhero who can shoot webs. Ahzhanae Kirkland, 7, puts Superman atop her list.

Super heroes visit Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital

Click here for a photo album of the adventure.

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, both girls were among several children at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital who got to see four popular superheroes descend from the top of the building. Some gathered on the hospital’s front lawn while others got a close-up view of the caped crusaders from the inside through the third- and fourth-floor windows.

Kate Denlinger, certified child life specialist helps patient Kaitlyn Teeter, 5, decorate her anesthesia mask with stickers prior to a procedure she regularly receives at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. "Instead of coping with a bad diagnosis, she just has to cope with the routine of coming in so that she can continue being healthy," Kate says.

READ MORE: A Day in Child Life.

“They’ve got to wake up each day and fight for their lives,” said Captain America, also known as Michael DeJesus. “Today’s a day they forget about being in the hospital. It’s a small party just for them.”

This marked the third annual appearance at the children’s hospital by Batman, Captain America, Spiderman and Superman.

By day, these superheroes work as window washers for Northeaster
n Building Maintenance of Harrisburg. But once a year, they take time to don costumes and rappel down the side of a building to brighten the day for some young fans. The visit is coordinated by Penn State Hershey’s Child Life Program and Facilities Department.

Comics created by fourth-year medical students.

READ MORE: Comics and Medicine: Helping Med Students Form Their Professional Identities.

Kane Wolf, 8, was most excited to see Batman. “He has a cool weapon and a cool car, the Batmobile,” he said. If he could have one superpower, Kane said he would choose “superstrength” so he could put the “bad guys” in their place.

Our last post: From patient to resident: Lindsay Requa’s Penn State Hershey experience shapes career.

 

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