Where Wonder Meets Wellness: How One UWG Alumna is Changing the Way Children Learn About Healthcare Share this page
October is Children’s Health Month, a time dedicated to promoting healthy habits and supporting the well-being of young people. To mark the occasion, UWG News sat down with alumna Emari Etta-Tawo who, as Nurse Dolly, uses innovative ways to help kids learn about wellness and their bodies.
In a room full of stuffed animals, toy stethoscopes and wide-eyed future healthcare leaders, “Mini Med School with Nurse Dolly” is transforming medical education one curious child at a time. Backed by years of emergency room experience and a nursing degree from the University of West Georgia, Emari Etta-Tawo ’18 is turning intimidating medical concepts into lessons young learners can understand, explore and embrace.
She got the idea for her popular YouTube channel when she found herself at the intersection of being a nurse and a mom. With more than six years serving as a certified emergency room registered nurse, Etta-Tawo noticed there was a gap in health education for young children and decided to create a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about their bodies, healthy habits and a positive view of healthcare.
“Health literacy should start at a young age,” Etta-Tawo said. “I realized it could be something bigger when parents started sharing that their children were excited about going to the doctor and even saying they wanted to become nurses or doctors when they grew up. “‘Mini Med School’ wasn’t just teaching kids about health – it was changing the way they viewed healthcare and inspiring them to see themselves in it.”
Etta-Tawo added that she tries to meet children at their level and takes medical concepts that may sound scary or complicated and turns them into simple explanations and characters that make learning fun. This positive method of teaching makes things like going to the doctor, having their vital signs checked, and learning about their bodies feel less intimidating and more familiar.
The first step is usually developing a concept that Etta-Tawo would like children to learn. She then writes the script, using key information to create a fun, educational song around the topic. Once everything is written and planned, she moves into filming and editing to bring the episode to life.
“Parents say their children are doing better at doctor visits, especially when those were challenging before, and developing healthy habits,” Etta-Tawo explained.
“For example, they now enjoy brushing their teeth and washing their hands for the full 20 seconds while singing along to my songs,” she continued. “It’s rewarding to see what kids are learning are translating into their everyday lives. My hope is that by building this foundation early, we can help children grow into adults who feel more confident and informed when it comes to making decisions about their health.”
She added that her experience as a student at UWG’s Tanner Health School of Nursing shaped her approach to nursing, education, and – ultimately – this creative venture in a myriad of ways.
“My time at the University of West Georgia taught me that education is such an important part of caring for patients,” Etta-Tawo recalled. “It gave me the foundation to take complex health information and communicate it in a way people can understand. Patient care is more than treating an illness. It’s also about making people feel safe, comfortable and understood, which is especially important with children who may find healthcare scary and unfamiliar.”
Specifically, her senior practicum at Tanner Medical Center’s emergency department, with its fast-paced environment and skilled nurses, influenced her initial decision to begin in the ER.
“UWG helped build my confidence, not only as a nurse by also an educator,” Etta-Tawo concluded. “I learned how to communicate health information and connect with others. Those skills have translated directly into what I do today as Nurse Dolly, allowing me to confidently step in front of the camera and educate children and families.”
Photography by James Williams, Mini Med School LLC