June 2015…The student reporters who participate in the “Leading Healthy Change” book project are asked to write a reflection about their experience of interviewing a health leader for the book. Here are the prepared statements of three reporters who shared their reflections at the 2015 book launch event.
Amelia
I interviewed Dr. Trude Haecker, the medical director for Reach Out and Read Greater Philadelphia. She is also medical director, International Patient Services and Quality Improvement, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
By interviewing Dr. Haecker, I learned what the saying “Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure” means. Whenever I find old books in my house, I shouldn’t throw them away. I should donate them. If you do something good for someone, it might pay off.
I also learned that waiting rooms can be more than a place where people worry all the time. It can be fun. You can read books that help you with all kinds of skills that you will need in life.
Jon
My name is Jon Ebataleye. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Dan Gottlieb, a well-known Philadelphia psychologist. I value the kindness in Dr. Dan Gottlieb’s heart. I know it’s there because he took the time to come all the way to Highland Park Elementary School to be interviewed by my newspaper staff. His generosity inspired me. The way he spoke made me think, “Wow, I want to be just like this man.”
One hobby of mine is penning children’s books. With his inspiration, I won’t just write children’s fiction books, I am going to add inspirational books to my repertoire. I hope he tells the Khulani kids, who he helps in South Africa, that a Nigerian young man from Upper Darby sends them good wishes.
Mia
I interviewed Dr. Julie Gerberding with four of my Marshall Street newspaper friends while the rest of my class listened. Dr. Gerberding is a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It was a very exciting, but nerve-racking day for us. Hadil, who is also on my newspaper staff, said it best. She said she got “really wild butterflies” in her stomach.
You could feel the excitement and nervousness in our classroom. I was so nervous because I had to do the introduction, but after a while, I relaxed. Having the opportunity to interview such a renowned person as Dr. Gerberding is a big responsibility. Jacey, another one of my newspaper friends, said that asking Dr. Gerberding questions made her feel like a leader.
Conducting this interview with Dr. Gerberding made me feel proud. I liked getting to know Dr. Gerberding on a personal level. I feel I gained some confidence because of this wonderful opportunity.
