Dr. Morse Dives In to Save Fish Tank on Peds

When the fish tank on Pediatrics sank into rough seas after our vendor moved, the only option appeared to be making it walk the plank. However, an aquaman in scrubs stepped in to save the day.

Steven B. Morse, M.D., a neonatologist and long-time aquarium hobbyist, noticed the aquarium while touring EAMC during his recruitment last year. The tank needed to be cleaned and repaired to keep its school of fish swimming about and entertaining little patients.

When discussing the tank with Morse, the nurses on the unit expressed their disappointment at the thought of getting rid of the aquarium. They had seen the joy that the tank brought children on the unit and knew that getting to see the fish was a good reward for the patients. However, the tank’s long-time caretaker had abandoned ship, leaving the nurses without guidance on maintaining the tank.

Morse saw an oppor-tuna-ty and set the hook.

He’d left his large saltwater tank behind during his move to the area, as the move would have been risky for the fish and corals. He’d meant to get a tank of his own but getting oriented to his new role at EAMC had left him short of free time. He offered to help take care of the aquarium so the nurses and their patients wouldn’t have to see the fish go belly up.

Morse has taken over cleaning the tank and feeding the fish, two tasks in which the children watch in awe. The fish even have new decorations such as scuba divers, Paw Patrol and Baby Shark in their tank thanks to the good doctor. His seal-blue staffers offered to help as much as possible with cleaning and checking the condition of the tank.

The cleaned and decorated fish tank lives on with its inhabitants fed and ready to brighten pediatric patients’ day. While the tank’s savior doesn’t wear a cape, pediatric patients and fish see him as a hero.