Doogie Howser, M.D. has got nothing on these kids!

Of course, the medical sitcom that premiered in 1989, starring a young Neil Patrick Harris as a teenage physician, is indeed fictitious, but the more than 200 high school students who volunteered to support patients and hospital staff at Maimonides Medical Center’s annual Student Recognition Ceremony Breakfast Thursday morning were real and larger than life.

Hundreds of spectators came together at the Boro Park Center at 4915 10th Avenue to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast, socialize, and honor these special individuals.  

A number of Maimonides staff were also on hand at the event, including President and CEO Kenneth Gibbs; Douglas Jablon, special assistant to the president; and guest speaker Michael Prayor, Brooklyn South High School superintendent. 

“We are a community hospital on steroids,” Gibbs told the Brooklyn Eagle. “And connection with community is connection with our youth. I believe this generation coming up is really going to shape our future.

“We’ve been running this volunteer program for more than 25 years — introducing students to the Maimonides family and to careers in healthcare — so that as they grow into adulthood and into their working lives, they get a sense and appreciate the benefit of meaningful work, and can be positive contributors and lifelong learners,” Gibbs said.

Alla Zats, director of volunteer and student services at Maimonides, has been involved in the Maimonides volunteer program since its inception more than 25 years ago. 
“When I started, we only worked with a few schools, but now we have about 20 public and private schools that participate,” Zats explained. “Our goal is to provide our youth with meaningful experience; we want them to have significant exposure to the hospital and healthcare environment. Basically, if they want to go into nutrition, business, support services, technology, rehab — we offer it all.” 
Zats noted that many who began with the hospital’s volunteer program have moved on to careers as nurses and doctors.  

Douglas Jablon, special assistant to the president, referred to those in the Maimonides volunteer program as “our little angels that help us on a constant basis.”

“They do such good work, and we really appreciate them,” Jablon said. “These kids, how they hold hands with the patients, how they help feed the patients — one vocabulary word they don’t know is the word ‘no.’ They always say yes — that’s what is so special about these kids.” 

Erick Rosales, 17, is a Maimonides volunteer who attends New Utrecht High School and started volunteering last year. He said he wants to be a cardiac surgeon when he gets older.

“It’s really a great experience; it’s perfect for me, in that I’m in the medical program in my school,” Rosales explained. “Maimonides really opened that door of opportunity for me and so many others. 

“Even though I am only in high school, everyone accepted me as family and welcomed me with open arms, and working in the cardiac care unit, I’ve learned good communication skills, teamwork, and what it’s like to step out of your comfort zone. I’m sure this will provide lifelong lessons.”

Michael Prayor, Brooklyn South High School superintendent, told the captive audience, “This opportunity helps you to explore four things that I truly believe in my heart is essential to leadership: compassion, responsibility, integrity, and forgiveness. 

“You don’t often get these experiences to learn and become — and to explore and identify your passion and strength,” said Prayor.