NEOMED and Cleveland Browns inspire children to dream big at “Junior Doctor for a Day” event 

by Tonya Strong-Charles

The journey toward pursuing a dream begins with moments of encouragement.

For 60 Cleveland first-graders, one of those moments happened when NEOMED and the Cleveland Browns Foundation brought the excitement of healthcare careers to life on Tuesday, Oct. 6, during the “Junior Doctor for a Day” event at the Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center in Cleveland. Children from Nathan Hale School and Wade Park School of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) participated in the program.

Students received a warm welcome from Cleveland Browns mascot, Chomps, and NEOMED medical students before being presented with custom Cleveland Browns-NEOMED white coats, giving them the chance to imagine themselves as future physicians. 

NEOMED President Dr. John Langell was joined by University Hospitals-Cleveland Browns team physician Dr. Yianni Apostolakos, and Darrell McNair, president and CEO of MVP Plastics, Inc. McNair is immediate past chair of NEOMED’s Board of Trustees. 

"Teaming up with the Cleveland Browns for the 'Junior Doctor for a Day' event allows Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) to bring the world of health sciences directly to our local youth in a way that is both engaging and unforgettable," said Dr. Langell. "By sparking curiosity early, we hope to inspire these elementary school students to see themselves as the doctors and researchers of tomorrow." 

Throughout the morning, the schoolchildren participated in a Teddy Bear Clinic, where they explored basic healthcare concepts in a fun, approachable environment.  

Dr. Apostolakos emphasized the importance of “teamwork” in caring for patients, while Mr. McNair challenged the children to keep “showing up” every day at school and work diligently to achieve their goals.

NEOMED medical students helped guide the activities, serving as mentors and providing young participants with an opportunity to interact with individuals pursuing careers in medicine. 

The event also reflected the shared commitment of NEOMED and the Cleveland Browns Foundation to strengthen Northeast Ohio communities by creating relevant educational endeavors for young people. 

The collaboration aligns with the Browns Foundation's broader efforts to support student success through initiatives such as the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, which works with more than 200 school districts and impacts more than 610,000 students across Ohio: The goal is to combat chronic student absenteeism and boost academic achievement. 

For NEOMED, Junior Doctor for a Day represents the University’s dedication to extending its mission beyond the classroom and into the community, encouraging young learners to recognize their potential and explore future pathways in healthcare. 

 Go Browns — and — Go NEOMED!

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GALLERY

A child holds a thermometer to the forehead of woman in a white coat while other children look on A man in a white coat talks on a toy phone with a child in a white coat A child in a white coat listens to the heart beat of a man in a sports jacket while another child looks on.A man in a sports jacket, a woman in business attire and two men in white coats pose with CHOMPS, the Browns mascot, at the bottom of a staircase A group of children and adults in white coats pose on as stairway with the Browns mascot and team physician A man in a white coat helps a little girl button up her child-sized white coat a child in a white coat listens to the heart beat of a man in a white coat Several people in white coat line up to make a welcome corridor to high five children as they walk by A group of children and adults in white coats pose on as stairway with the Browns mascot and team physician a group of children in white coats check the teeth of the Browns mascot A man in white coat helps a little boy, also in white coat, with a toy medical device A man in white coat holds a teddy bear as a child in white coat pretends to listen for the bear's heart beat A man in white coat helps three children in white coats check the ears of a teddy bear A little girl with white coat pretends to give medicine to a teddy bear while a smiling woman in white coat looks on A man in a white coat shows a toy medical device to a child in a white coat a child in a white coat looks very seriously at a scale in the center of a large group of children and adults in white coats

October 8, 2026
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