In Divinópolis, Brazil, children heading into surgery don’t feel like patients. Thanks to Dr Leandro Brandão, they become Batman, Wonder Woman or Spider-Man. A simple idea that completely changes their mood before the procedure.
The Brazilian doctor won an international award for his work promoting inclusion, diversity and innovation in healthcare. Leandro Brandão Guimarães succeeded by dressing children in superhero costumes to help them overcome their fear of surgery. This ear, nose and throat specialist never expected to be among the finalists of the competition. See for yourselves!
How did this idea come about?
Dr Leandro Brandão, a paediatric otolaryngologist, saw every day how his young patients were afraid of the hospital. The route to the operating theatre was associated with pain and the unknown. He decided to change that.
Instead of a standard wheelchair and a hospital gown, he offered the children costumes of their favourite superheroes. The little ones put on capes and masks and feel stronger. The doctor often carries them on his arms down the corridor, as if they were flying on a rescue mission.
What does dressing up before surgery achieve?
This is not a one-off trick. Dressing up has become a permanent part of preparing children for surgery in his practice.
A success that went around the world
Dr Brandão’s story went viral in 2023, when videos of children-superheroes spread across the internet. People from around the world wrote about how deeply this empathy moved them. In 2025, the doctor received an international distinction in Italy for humanising medical care.
Children don’t think in medical categories – they think with their imagination. A superhero costume lets them step into the role of a brave hero, rather than a helpless victim. It is like a magical shield against anxiety. In an era when medicine focuses mainly on technology and procedures, Dr Brandão reminds us that sometimes the most effective remedy is simple kindness and an understanding of a child’s emotions.
