Why A Nebraska Hospital CEO Walked Into The Pediatric Cardiac Care Unit In A Full Ball Gown

A routine medical round in Omaha took an unexpected, magical turn when the top hospital executive stepped through the ward doors dressed in a voluminous golden ball gown. Chanda Chacón, president and CEO of Children’s Nebraska, personally transformed into Belle from Disney‘s Beauty and the Beast to surprise pediatric patients across the facility for Halloween.

Accompanied by Amanda Adams, the hospital’s senior patient relations manager who suited up in full costume as the Beast, the executive pair took the classic fairy tale directly to bedsides in specialized inpatient wards, including the Criss Heart Center’s Cardiac Care Unit.

For children navigating intensive treatments and long-term stays, the grand entrance delivered an instant, immersive break from monitors and medical regimens.

Transforming Inpatient Rounds Into A Fairy Tale

Chacón went all out with the classic Disney look. She wore Belle’s signature yellow ball gown complete with matching yellow opera gloves, an elaborate updo crowned with a glittering tiara, and a single red rose in hand.

During the visit, Chacón chatted with young patients about royal life while stopping at bedside after bedside to pose for photos.

“You know, us princesses, we hang out together. I saw Elsa [from Frozen], too.”

The whimsical exchange gave families an uplifting distraction during what can otherwise be a stressful holiday away from home.

Hospital Chief Brings Joy to Pediatric Patients by Dressing as Belle from Beauty and the Beast for Halloween

Why Leadership Visibility Matters In Pediatric Care

Many assume executive leadership in large hospital networks remains isolated inside administrative boardrooms, completely detached from the daily realities of frontline inpatient units.

Yet pediatric healthcare environments increasingly prioritize leadership-driven patient interaction. Engaging directly with patients helps soften an intimidating clinical setting, offering emotional relief when regular holiday traditions are interrupted by medical care.

“For children spending time in the hospital, especially during the holidays, moments like these can offer a welcome break from the usual hospital routine. The surprise visit brought smiles to children and adults alike, with the hospital’s own leadership getting in on the Halloween fun.”

Behind The Executive Role At Children’s Nebraska

Chacón has served as president and CEO of Children’s Nebraska since 2020, guiding the hospital through massive infrastructure and clinical expansions under a stated “People First” philosophy.

Her leadership tenure has balanced major systemic growth with hands-on involvement, ensuring that clinical expansion never eclipses bedside morale.

Hospital Chief Brings Joy to Pediatric Patients by Dressing as Belle from Beauty and the Beast for Halloween

A Disney Classic Resonating Across Generations

The choice of Belle and the Beast carries deep nostalgia for parents and staff while remaining instantly recognizable to pediatric patients. Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast originally arrived in theaters on November 22, 1991, featuring Angela Lansbury, Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, and Jerry Orbach.

The tale captured an entirely new audience in 2017 when Emma Watson and Dan Stevens brought Belle and the Beast to life in the live-action adaptation.

By bringing those characters directly to the Cardiac Care Unit, hospital leaders gave families facing serious health battles a moment of shared wonder.

✨ Small acts of joy can make a profound difference for families navigating critical inpatient stays.

📱 Seeing leadership step out of the boardroom to create unforgettable memories sets a powerful standard for patient care.

💬 What are the most creative hospital initiatives you’ve seen bring comfort to young patients? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!