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.

Most people feel a mixture of anxiety, nervousness, and excitement in the weeks leading up to surgery. It can also be a busy time when people make preparations for their recovery. Doctors stress the ...

WORCESTER – The UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children's Medical Center unveiled its renovated space-themed pediatric surgery unit, made possible by the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation. The ...

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 ...