Community Hospital's 'Hero Wagon' helps comfort young surgery patients

Community Hospital’s new Hero Wagon, featuring superhero capes and masks, is bringing comfort and fun to young surgery patients. Pictured are Hadley and Hayden Kennedy, Bristol Nelson, Kenna and Henley Dixon, and Weston, Collins, and Laramie Province. Their moms—Tina Kennedy, Brooke Nelson, Amanda Dixon, and Nichole Province—are all employees in the hospital’s surgery department.

Community Hospital

McCook, Neb. — Community Hospital is proud to announce the introduction of a new Hero Wagon, a special addition to the surgery department designed to bring comfort and joy to our youngest patients. The Hero Wagon, complete with superhero capes and masks, was inspired by a heartfelt idea from one of our dedicated team members, Shayla Malcolm, who recognized the need for a more comforting experience for children facing surgery.

Malcolm’s vision for the Hero Wagon stemmed from her observation of the many pediatric patients undergoing procedures, particularly during Ear, Nose, and Throat surgery days. Drawing from her experience at a previous facility where a wagon was used to transport young patients, she knew this could be a perfect fit for Community Hospital.

“The wagon idea came to me after seeing how many kids we were having during our ENT days,” Malcolm explained. “I thought it would be a great fit for us, so I approached Jill [Truksa, Directory of Surgery] with my idea. She loved it too.”

With the approval in place, the Hero Wagon was brought to life. But Malcolm and the team didn’t stop there. They added a creative twist, suggesting that the children could be given superhero capes and masks, turning a potentially frightening experience into an empowering and fun adventure.

“Why not have a superhero wagon and give them fun capes to take home?” Malcolm shared. “We want to make them feel like superheroes, helping them imagine themselves as the heroes they see on TV, mask and all. It’s about making the experience positive and less scary, allowing them to hide behind the mask if they want to, or open up their capes and zoom into the OR to save the day!”

Malcolm’s personal experiences also played a significant role in her inspiration. Having been a child who faced surgery and a mother of a child who had had multiple visits to the OR, she understands firsthand the lasting impact these experiences can have. “It’s so scary for our kids to have to experience these things so young. It really does stick with them forever. We want them to have a fun and safe experience at Community Hospital, one that will bring them back as adults, and someday with their own littles.”

Last year, Community Hospital performed over 100 ENT cases, though not all involved pediatric patients. The Hero Wagon will be a valuable addition to the surgery department, offering a safer and more comforting alternative to traditional gurneys for our young patients. The hospital is excited to see the positive impact this new initiative will have on our littlest heroes.

Community Hospital is committed to providing progressive and proactive care to all our patients, ensuring that every visit is as positive and stress-free as possible.