American Heritage Schools’ Superhero Party Brings Smiles to the Salah Pediatric Oncology Unit
Little superheroes walk the halls every day at Salah Pediatric Oncology, but they don’t always wear capes. On Oct. 20, students from American Heritage Schools’ Pre-Medical Program, from both of their Broward and Palm Beach campuses, visited the pediatric cancer patients at the Salah Pediatric Oncology Hospital at Broward Health Medical Center for a Superhero party with 21 patients from the Salah Pediatric Oncology unit.
At the party, the children had a chance to write their wish list for Santa. The Pre-Medical Program students will work on raising thousands of dollars to make those wishes come true and celebrate with the children at their holiday party on Dec. 16.
American Heritage Schools’ Pre-Medical Program students have hosted this initiative for over 20 years. The students’ passion for contributing and community involvement is reflected in the thousands of dollars raised through local fundraising events, which enabled them to build two new pediatric playrooms at Broward General Hospital.
Out of an abundance of caution for the health of the patients, the event was limited to only the officers of both campuses. The night prior to the event, a group of students decorated the auditorium with superhero theme ornaments and lights. Overseen by American Heritage Schools Pre-Medical Program Director Dr. Carlos Pulido, the primary students who organized the event were Lia Lapidot and Allyson Steinberg, co-presidents from American Heritage Schools’ Palm Beach Campus and Anita Thereza Lerner and Sofia Toledo, co-presidents from the Broward Campus.
American Heritage Schools’ four-year Pre-Medical program is unlike any other. The program culminates in a senior year internship when students experience the practice of medicine in real life. Seniors leave campus a few times per week to rotate through different aspects of medical practices throughout South Florida. Students experience the practice of medicine in hospitals, operating rooms, and doctors’ offices. There are 35 different specialties in the internship, such as neurosurgery, radiology, pathology, forensic science, and oncology. The connections our seniors make with practicing medical professionals are invaluable and often result in future medical school acceptances and jobs.
The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at the Broward Health Medical Center offers one of the most comprehensive pediatric hematology-oncology programs in South Florida, including inpatient and outpatient care and infusion services. The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group – the world’s largest organization devoted to childhood cancer research, focusing on the unique needs of each patient and their families, delivered in a compassionate, healing environment.
