Medikidz
TypePrivate
IndustryMedical Information Publisher
FoundedSeptember 2009
HeadquartersNew York/London
Key people
Dr. Kate Hersov, Co-founder and CEO; Dr Columba Quigley, Chief Medical Editor
ServicesPublishing
Number of employees
12
Websitewww.medikidz.com/

Medikidz is a global initiative set up by doctors to explain medical information to children.[1][2] The Medikidz superheroes are used to explain medical conditions, investigations, diagnoses, medicines and surgical procedures to young patients and their families – in a way that they can understand.

The company was founded in New Zealand by Kim Chilman-Blair and co-founder Kate Hersov in order to improve children's health information around the world.[3][4] Currently located in New York City, and headquartered in London, there were plans for expansion into Sydney, Australia in 2014.[5]

All Medikidz materials are written by doctors, and are co-authored by USA graphic novelists including John Taddeo and Shawn Deloache.[6] The work is further recognised by a medical advisory board of expert healthcare professionals in the field who are used as independent peer reviewers for each of the titles in the comic book series. The content is then transformed into graphic novels by a team of artists.[7]

The "Medikidz"

The 'Medikidz' are a gang of 5 superheroes from Mediland, a giant living planet shaped like the human body.[8] Each one is a specialist in different parts of the body. The characters are designed to be fun and appealing to young people in order to be able to entertain, as well as educate them about serious medical issues.[9]

  • Pump is the leader of the team and is the Heart specialist.[1]
  • Skindy is the Skin & Bone specialist with a robotic leg. It appears to be a screw or spring. The reason for this tragic loss is unknown[1][10]
  • Gastronomic is the Gastrointestinal specialist [1]
  • Chi is the Lung specialist [1]
  • Axon is the Brain specialist, with his pet robot Abacus [1]

In each graphic novel, the team takes a child on a journey through 'Mediland' where they can learn about medical conditions, both adult and paediatric.[11]

Distribution

Over three million copies worldwide in 50 countries and in 30 languages have been distributed.[11][1][2] Archbishop Desmond Tutu and will.i.am have publicly endorsed the Medikidz initiative.[12]

Medikidz Foundation

The charitable arm of the company, The Medikidz Foundation, has done work in Africa, most recently donating 100,000 comic books on HIV to Swaziland.[13] The Medikidz Foundation is now due to increase the work they are doing in poorer countries, funded by the commercial arm of the business.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Elliott, Jane (19 September 2009). "The superheroes fighting disease". BBC News.
  2. 1 2 "Superheroes demystify medical jargon for children". The Times of India. 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Hamilton, Fiona; Coates, Sam; Savage, Michael. "Health | The Times". The Times. London.
  4. ↑ "Error Page | Compass Group | UK". Archived from the original on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Medikidz Comic Coming to United States | The Mary Sue". themarysue.com. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Medi Kidz Archives - johntaddeo.com". johntaddeo.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "MEDIKIDZ books to explain diseases to young patients". homeopathyheals.me.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Mediland « Laura Loves Children's Books". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  9. ↑ "MediKidz explain epilepsy". Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  10. ↑ McCarthy, Angela (4 May 2011). "Comics help sick kids understand". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Medikidz". Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  12. ↑ "Doing Good: Medikidz comics make medical information fun |". creativityfuse.com. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "JuniorDr.com - for junior doctors by junior doctors". drtribe.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
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