Maria Baimas-George MD MPH is a surgical resident working at Carolinas Medical Center of Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. Through her first-hand experience with pediatric patients, she came to recognize how the stressful nature of childhood illness and the hospital environment can contribute to a lack of understanding for patients and their loved ones. In these situations of high anxiety and worry, it is particularly difficult to process and retain information. Inadvertently contributing to this problem, doctors too often assume the information they relay and the medical terminology they use is straightforward and easy to understand (which is rarely the case). In an effort to address this challenge, Dr. Baimas-George set out to create informative and accessible children’s books to improve understanding and satisfaction, and to reduce fear, for patients and their families. These books would eventually become The Strength of My Scars: Pediatric Surgical Chronicles series.
Dr. Maria Baimas-George found the inspiration to create The Strength of My Scars: Pediatric Surgical Chronicles children’s book series through her work as a surgical resident at Carolinas Medical Center of Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina.
With the advising help of the Pediatric Surgical Associates, led by board-certified pediatric surgeon Dr. Daniel Bambini, Dr. Baimas-George was able to write and illustrate informative and enjoyable stories that supplement important medical conversations with relevant information in a way that facilitates easy understanding. They are meant to empower children and help them feel safe, teaching them that their scars tell a story of resilience, of which they can be proud. With each book focusing on one pediatric condition, these colorful and delightful stories help explain the disease and diagnosis, medical examination, and hospital course. Each book contains a ‘Facts’ section with important information and answers to commonly asked questions, as well as a glossary section of ‘Doctor’s Words’ to define relevant medical terminology in plain language.
Through science and colorful illustration, these books not only aim to empower patients and their families but are also enjoyable and educational gifts for kids who are curious to learn more about the fascinating world of medicine.
Maria Baimas-George MD MPH
