For many children, medical procedures are terrifying, sometimes leaving lasting trauma. Pediatric surgeon Stephanie Chao has found a way to change that through virtual reality (VR). “Being in a medical environment can cause trauma with lifelong consequences,” says Chao, the trauma medical director at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. Instead of relying on general anesthesia, which may have effects on developing brains, she now uses VR headsets, along with a local anesthetic, during minor surgical procedures. “It transforms what was once a fearful experience into something they can comfortably endure with little to no side effects,” she explains. “Often, they don’t even realize the procedure has started or ended because they are so engaged in the virtual reality experience. Patients who return regularly actually look forward to it.”
Advocating for Gun Safety
Chao’s commitment to improving children’s lives ranges from bedside innovation to nationwide advocacy. Her translational research lab focuses on injury prevention, mainly tackling the leading cause of death among U.S. children: gun violence. She developed a nonpartisan K-12 curriculum, PLEDGE, to teach gun safety, secure gun storage, and mental health awareness. “Our goal is to empower children to become agents of change by educating them about gun responsibility and making their communities safer,” says Chao, who has advocated for gun safety legislation on Capitol Hill, at the White House, and in schools across the country. “I’m going to keep working until no child dies from gun violence.”
Mobilizing the Village
“I know improving children’s health globally will take a whole society working together, but each of us has a role to play, and I’m committed to doing my part.”
