Rainbow Neurosurgeon "ROCKS" On Good Morning America

What do you get when you cross a nationally renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and an international rock icon? Dr. Alan R. Cohen.

Dr. Cohen (“Big Al” to most people) is the surgeon in chief and division chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, and is co-director of The Jennifer Ferchill Pediatric Brain Tumor Center.

He is also an avid Elvis Presley fan. His office is filled with memorabilia and Elvis-themed gifts from grateful patients and families. Every year on Jan. 8, Dr. Cohen celebrates “The King’s” birthday with a rock-style concert and party with his patients.

This year, a touching story about Dr. Cohen and his close relationships with his patients aired on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” The morning show segment, titled “Dr. Elvis,” was introduced by Diane Sawyer and reached an estimated 3.5 million viewers across the country. It showcased both the seriousness of pediatric brain tumors (now the #1 cause of cancer death in children) and the fun side of Dr. Cohen’s Elvis Day celebration.

“Good Morning America” producers spent all day celebrating Elvis’s birthday at Rainbow, interviewing several patient families and spending time getting to know Big Al. Their trip to Cleveland was spurred by the UH media relations team, which shared Dr. Cohen’s story and the significance of The Jennifer Ferchill Pediatric Brain Tumor Center with producers in New York City.

The response to the segment was-overwhelming, and Dr. Cohen has received phone calls and e-mail messages from across the country. “The real heroes of this story are the courageous kids and their families, who have spent most of their time at Rainbow grappling with life-threatening illnesses,” he said. “Elvis Day gave us all a chance to take a break, let our hair down and have some fun.”

The “Good Morning America” team was impressed by Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, among the top children’s hospitals in the country, and said they are eager to return to Cleveland to cover more stories. In 2008, more national news will be emanating from UH as the marketing and communications department pursues its 2008 initiative to enhance its national reputation, with a dedicated team focused on reaching out to national media contacts, increasing all national outreach efforts.

For an appointment at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital,
call toll-free 866.UH4.CARE (866.844.2273) or schedule online.