Q: First tell us something about yourself.
- I am the youngest of six siblings in a loving family of second-generation Jamaican Guatemalans. I am an anesthesiologist who has chosen to specialize in pediatric anesthesia. As a graduate of Yale Medical School of Medicine, I have extensive experience in academia and private practices including dental clinics and my love and joy of working with kids has allowed me the great fortune to participate in multiple volunteer medical missions internationally: Guatemala, Colombia, Thailand, and Kenya. I am always fascinated by kids innate ability to dive in and fully experience what is presented to them; Their attentiveness, curiosity, and eagerness to learn and fully experience life’s events are the foundation that inspires my intention to fuel their imagination with age-appropriate adventure to introduce them and help them prepare to receive anesthesia and other medical procedures.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
- I’ve actually been thinking about writing this book for a long time—over two decades, in different forms. The seed was planted during my last year of medical school in Guatemala, when I met Rosa, a five-year-old girl with blood cancer. Her dad let her stay with me during her chemo treatments. Watching her go through such difficult moments—and then bounce back to play joyfully with my nephews—moved me deeply. That experience lit a spark in me to dedicate my life to helping children navigate illness with more support, care, and compassion.
Fast forward to 2020, during the pandemic—I found myself reflecting on how vital human connection, imagination, and resilience are when facing hard times. That reflection brought together all those earlier moments and Inspired me to write an adventure book that celebrates children’s resilience, imagination, courage, and the power of staying playful even when things get tough.
The final push came recently, in February 2024, when my dear God-sister Madlin Mangrum extended the invitation to a Children’s Book Master Class. That invitation gave me the guidance and momentum I needed to finally bring this story to life.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
- January 22nd 2024 was the beginning of my first draft, brainstorming ideas on paper, the book was finalized and sent to printing on March 22nd 2025. It is not published yet, my book launch date is scheduled for June 3rd 2025.
Q: Tell us something more about your books.
- The title of my first book “The Unseen Planet” is inspired by its purpose: to help children feel prepared for an anesthetic procedure through a fun and adventurous story. Anesthesia can seem like a mysterious, or unknown place—unfamiliar and hard to understand—but through the magical adventure of the “Unseen Planet,” children begin to understand anesthesia as a magical journey they can explore with curiosity and imagination. It will empower them to tap into their own inner superpowers as they prepare for anesthesia procedures. It invites children on a magical adventure where they explore the unknown wonders of anesthesia, face their mixed emotions, and discover just how strong and capable they truly are.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
- The story comes from characters like my nephew. His imagination was inspirational, for many years he had an imaginary friend, that was not only his favorite play buddy but he was his unconditional companion. Leading me to create a superheroes list—representing all the people and items that provide comfort.
Adventure because when we are on discovery mode everything is of interest our curiosity guides the journey.
A planet because of the wonders that anesthesia offers across the board from intrauterine procedures to end of life. And yet a medical specialty that remains largely unknown, so through a magical adventure the public will agree with me that it is a magical planet to be discovered.
As Galaxy Guardians, we keep our medical practice safe. When caring for children we embody the role of adults on a playground, we supervise and assist, allowing the play to belong entirely to the children. We let their imagination run wild, because we know the grounds are safe and we are at arms length to help.
Doc JC and the little superheroes are my own creations, reflecting the various facets of my life. As a child, I embraced curiosity, fearlessness, and adventure, letting my imagination run free. Now, as a pediatric anesthesiologist, I cherish the opportunity to keep my young patients comfortable in their own terms, guiding them joyfully through their medical procedures.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
- I hope that with “The Unseen Planet” children and their home teams takeaway that even when facing something unfamiliar and scary — like anesthesia or medical procedures — they have many unique tools like their own imagination and inner “superpowers” to help them navigate this experience.
For children, I want this story to turn fear into excitement, questions into curiosity, and anxiety into confidence. I want them to see medical experiences not as something to fear, but as an adventure guided by caring “galaxy guardians” — the healthcare team — who are there to protect and help them.
For the home team, I hope the book becomes a supportive tool: a way to open conversations about medical procedures, reduce their child’s anxiety, and help the whole team feel more prepared, connected, and reassured.
Ultimately, I want every child to walk into their healthcare experience feeling brave, empowered, and never alone.
