HEALTH

from The Argonaut Newspaper - February 17 2022

COVER STORY

Teaching Kids about Health

Breast oncology surgeon releases children’s book series

By Michele Robinson

Dr. Rachel Wellner is on a medical mission to help spread good health to people of all ages. Not only is the Venice local a renowned surgical oncologist and head of a start-up biotech company, she is also a children’s book author. For the past 20 years, Wellner has specialized in comprehensive breast health and surgical oncology. “In my career as a cancer surgeon, my practice is very serious,” Wellner said. “There is very little room for lightheartedness in oncology, so you bring your most serious self.” Wellner is a trailblazer in supporting global health care by participating in international mission trips that have taken her to countries like Nicaragua and India. Her goal for these missions is to help children get better access to medical care. “My medical mission is to help underdeveloped countries,” Wellner said. “I have dedicated a large part of my medical mission to help children.”

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Venice local Dr. Rachel Wellner is a renowned surgical oncologist and head of a start-up biotech company who recently released a new children’s book series.

HEADSHOTS COURTESY

In addition to her practice, in 2020 Wellner started a biotech company called Caelum Diagnostic Solutions (Caelum means “sky” in Latin). Using a form of laser technology, the goal is to diagnose (in both surgery and in biopsies), cancer and noncancerous cells in all soft tissue tumors. In 25% of cancer patients, the cancer returns because not all of the cancerous cells are removed. This new technology would solve the current problem of cancer recurring for these cases. “I put it in my head that I want to be a big world problem solver, it is my highest calling,” Wellner said. But Wellner has another calling that she is passionate about. It combines her writing skills with her medical knowledge and love for children. “I wanted to write a children’s book 20 years ago, but I always felt intimidated to write for children,” Wellner said. She decided to get an editor and started writing her stories. “I wanted to just try it and sure enough, I am doing it,” Wellner said. This was the beginning of the “Doctoroo” series. Wellner has already published two books and has a third one coming out soon. The first book, “Dr. Marsha and the Case of the Missing Hot Dogs and Marshmallows,” is about nutrition and healthy eating. Set in Washington D.C, the book delivers a clear message: junk food is a special treat to eat in moderation. The book includes a food pyramid and suggestions on how to eat healthy, along with tasty meals featuring grains and fruits. Wellner’s second book, “Doctoroo! & and Case of the Hacking Hippo,” discusses the medical topics of hygiene and handwashing. In this adventure the team visits Sydney, Australia. Set in the famous Opera House, the book’s message is about keeping clean by washing your hands for 20 seconds. Wellner’s upcoming book, “Doctoroo and the Red Hot Hawaiians,” is set in Hawaii and will be about sunburns and sun protection. For her stories, Wellner usually comes up with the story first and then writes multiple drafts before sharing it with anyone. She knows what the topic will be before she begins to write. All of her stories have certain key elements in common including a medical topic, travel component with a recognizable landmark and a problem to solve. She typically works backwards, starting with a simple medical issue like handwashing or nutrition. In her books, Wellner uses the concept of differential diagnosis, a medical mechanism, to solve the mystery. In medicine, doctors generally use this skill to make a list of all of the possible reasons for infection and then try to find the cause and the problem. “My books are a medical Sherlock Holmes for kids,” Wellner said. Although these books are written for kids ages four to eight, Wellner doesn’t shy away from introducing new, sophisticated words to kids. “This concept originally intimidated me, but the kids should learn new words and build upon their vocabulary, ” Wellner said. Wellner hopes her books will bring joy to young readers and teach them some valuable healthy habits that will last a lifetime. “I have a soft spot in my heart for kids, “Wellner said. “I always wanted to help them learn and grow.”.