Madelyn Trachsel got to be a doctor for a day alongside Dr. Tsulee Chen, the pediatric surgeon who 4 days earlier performed emergency surgery on Madelyn.
Four days after her 18th surgery, Madelyn Trachsel, age 9, walked into Akron Children’s. But today she wasn’t here in her usual capacity as a patient. Instead, she was a doctor in training, stepping into a dream she’s had for many years.
“Ever since she was little, she’s said she wants to be a doctor,” her mom, Olivia, said. “Not just any doctor – she wants to work at Akron Children’s.”
Madelyn performed a presurgical assessment to make sure her patient was fit for surgery.
A life shaped by resilience
Madelyn was born with spina bifida, a condition where the spine doesn’t form properly. At just 3 hours old, she underwent her first surgery to close the opening in her spine.
Days later, she needed another surgery to place a shunt to relieve pressure in her skull.
Since the day she was born, Madelyn’s life has included operations, hospital stays and a care team that is like a second family. One member of that team is Dr. Tsulee Chen, the pediatric neurosurgeon who performed Madelyn’s very first procedure – and many more that followed.
Since her birth, Madelyn has undergone 18 surgeries at Akron Children’s to treat spina bifida and related conditions.
Most recently, on April 9, Dr. Chen performed Madelyn’s 18th surgery – an emergency shunt revision.
For many kids, that might mark the end of a difficult week. But just 4 days later, Madelyn had a choice to make: rest and recover or move forward with something she had been dreaming about for years – becoming a doctor.
Guided by Dr. Chen, Madelyn used real surgical instruments to perform the surgery.
A wish she wasn’t willing to delay
Through Workshop of Wishes, a Cleveland-based nonprofit that creates personal experiences for children facing serious medical conditions, Madelyn was about to see that dream come to life.
“Madelyn understandably wasn’t feeling 100%,” Olivia said. “But she didn’t want to reschedule. She’s been looking forward to this for a very long time.”
Madelyn has wanted to be a doctor for as long as she can remember. As a “new employee,” she received an ID badge, a pink lab coat and a personalized scrub cap.
A chance to trade places
The role she had known her entire life was now reversed. Instead of being wheeled into surgery as the patient, Madelyn was the doctor performing the surgery.
As a “new employee,” Madelyn had her photo taken and was handed a hospital ID badge, a pink lab coat and a personalized surgical scrub cap.
Madelyn getting ready to operate.
When she arrived in neurology, she met her “patient” – a giant teddy bear with a “broken neck.” With Dr. Chen by her side, Madelyn performed a presurgical exam.
After deeming the bear fit for surgery, Madelyn scrubbed in and gowned up. She listened closely as Dr. Chen guided her through each step – using real surgical tools – to mark the surgical site, make the incision, stitch the patient back up and place a neck-stabilizing collar. It was only appropriate that Madelyn’s favorite artist, Taylor Swift, was streaming in the background.
Madelyn and Dr. Chen.
A moment years in the making
For Madelyn, the day was about more than dress-up. It was a glimpse into a future she’s been imagining for years.
Back in 2022, a post shared on the hospital’s Facebook page showed a then 5-year-old Madelyn eagerly climbing into a doctor’s chair, declaring her dream of one day working at Akron Children’s.
Three years later, she finally got her chance.
More than a wish
In many ways, Madelyn’s story is about more than a wish. It’s also about her resilience and what’s possible when care goes beyond treatment. For one day, instead of being the patient like she had so many times before, she got to see the world through a different lens while supported by the surgeon who has been with her from the very beginning.
