Interview with Surgeon and Children's book illustrator Dr. Maria Baimas-George

Using analogies and cartoons to explain medical disease to patients

I recently met a super-creative surgeon, Dr. Maria Baimas-George. She has created over 25 different children’s books to improve patient comprehension of surgical and medical diseases. She uses analogies and cute cartoons to explain topics ranging from appendicitis to gastroschisis. Maria has published data that supports the use of illustrated books to improve patient understanding, satisfaction, and fear. She is in her final year of General Surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center and is headed to the University of Colorado for a Transplant Fellowship to be a transplant surgeon.