Pediatric Surgeon at Akron Children’s Hospital Uses Art to Transform Scars into Smiles

In a heartwarming twist to pediatric surgery, Dr. Robert Parry, a pediatric surgeon at Akron Children’s Hospital, is turning post-surgical scars into lasting memories of joy and creativity. After performing delicate procedures, Dr. Parry picks up a pen instead of simply leaving the typical dressings in place. He uses his artistic skills to draw colorful, personal designs on his young patients’ surgical dressings, ensuring that their scars are not the only thing they remember from the experience.

Dr. Parry’s unique practice is driven by the desire to reduce the emotional impact of surgery for children. According to the hospital, the doctor’s hand-drawn artwork features beloved characters from children’s movies, television shows, and books, tailored to the interests of each child. From Disney’s Olaf from Frozen to Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, Dr. Parry’s creations bring smiles to young faces at a time when they need it most.

“I don’t want the kids to just remember the scar; I want them to remember the character or the drawing,” Dr. Parry explained. “It’s all about making their experience a little bit better, giving them something fun to focus on after the procedure.”

The hospital shared a touching post on its official Facebook page, highlighting Dr. Parry’s thoughtful approach to pediatric care: “Although the pen may not be mightier than the scalpel, pediatric surgeon Dr. Robert Parry always takes a moment to make sure a scar isn’t the only lasting memory of a child’s surgical procedure. He surprises them with a hand-drawn dressing featuring a character or something that personally interests them.”

Over the years, Dr. Parry has become known for his ability to make his patients smile, even on the heels of a surgery. He estimates that he has created more than 10,000 of these unique dressing drawings, making an indelible impression on his young patients’ lives.

Through this simple yet thoughtful gesture, Dr. Parry turns what could be a difficult memory into a cherished one, reminding his patients that even in moments of discomfort, kindness and creativity can heal in ways beyond the physical.