Hope is Medicine: Dr. Vamshi Rao

Having the opportunity to share good news is something medical professionals look forward to, especially those whose patients are children with critical illnesses.

First introduced to Make-A-Wish by the social work team at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Dr. Vamshi Rao soon found that offering a wish experience through Make-A-Wish to his patients had far more benefits than just being able to deliver a little good news. 

As a neurologist, his patients often have diminishing mobility and as their disease progresses, it becomes more limited. Dr. Rao shared that when he can talk about Make-A-Wish with patients it helps them feel empowered.

Once a child has expressed their wish, Rao says they are often eager to talk about it with the clinic staff, boosting spirits for both the patient and medical team and connecting them emotionally. 

One experience that sticks with Dr. Rao was a patient whose heartfelt wish was to travel to visit the uncles he’d been unable to see since being diagnosed. Once the wish planning was underway, Dr. Rao said the patient was like a completely different person. 

“His mental health was so much better despite his physical health continuing to decline. He came to the clinic all smiles and his quality of life seemed to be phenomenally better.”

According to Dr. Rao, having Make-A-Wish involved with his patients helps the patient, their family and all the staff who treat the child, impacting each other in meaningful ways.

“It is very inspiring for us to have this whole experience in mind when we meet with patients,” Rao shared. “What a wonderful vision Make-A-Wish has, and you make it so seamless to be part of enriching children’s and family’s lives.”

Dr. Vamshi Rao is an Attending Physician, Neurology at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology and Epilepsy) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Rao has been connected to Make-A-Wish Illinois since 2014.