Superheroes Visit Oakland Medical Center

Their mission was simple: deliver smiles (and some goodies) to the pediatric patients at the Oakland Medical Center. The group of four superheroes, all nursing students from Samuel Merritt College are student ambassadors for Love Your Melon, an apparel company that supports hospitalized children.

Wonder Woman, Flash, Cat Woman and Super Girl visited several patients on April 28th delivering capes, masks, hats and a few grins along the way.

“We want our pediatric patients to leave here remembering these fun types of events,” said Carla De Lemos, a child life specialist at Kaiser Permanente's Oakland Medical Center who also donned a cape for the festivities. “We want to celebrate the kids since they are the real heroes.”

The visit happened on National Superhero Day and many physicians, nurses and staff joined in on the fun sporting capes and masks as well.

For 8-year-old Sonny Diaz-Posos, the visit meant a stroll around the unit with four caped crusaders. “If I had a super power, it would be to run very fast,” he said sporting a cape and mask of his own.

“Events like these help give kids that extra boost,” added De Lemos. “And sometimes that extra boost is just enough to brighten their day.”