Learning your child needs surgery can feel overwhelming. As a pediatric neurosurgeon, I do my best to alleviate patients’ and families’ stress and fears surrounding surgery by providing as much ...

Preparing for your child to have surgery can be a nerve-wracking experience. "While surgery may be routine for medical professionals, it becomes a core memory that stays with parents and ...

Carli Tourdot is a Child Life specialist and a children's book author. Tourdot is pictured with her book "Today is the Day! My First Surgery" on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Rochester.

Surgery might be a physical event, but it’s a mental and emotional one, too. Even if the procedure is routine, it can bring up real fears of pain and the unknown. That kind of stress doesn’t always ...