By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
Enter Dr. Machelle Seibel, “The Singing Doctor” and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The doc came to Schneider's Children's Hospital in Glen Oaks with a guitar in his hand and a smile on his face to help kids learn the little but important things.His music with a message is aimed at kids of all ages and tries to link learning with jingles that will be easy to remember.”The goal here is to get the message to the people,” said Seibel. The people in this case were a young bunch of patients and their parents who were treated to a handful of Seibel's songs that all relate to the medical field in some way. Seibel began his show with the “Donkey Song” that warmed up the crowd with a chorus line which included a sing-along “HEE-HAW” to the delight of the concert-goers.Some of Seibel's other hits performed were “Wash Your Hands,” “Fruits are Good to Eat,” “Healthy Bones” and “Best at Being Me.” Each seems to be crafted in a way that to stick in the mind much like the “Schoolhouse Rock” television series that tackled topics such as passing a bill in Congress and different elements of grammar. “He liked it so much,” said Saveta Mertivi of Ridgewood, speaking for her shy 2-year-old son Mitro. “He told me he wants to stay here because he is feeling better and loves to play.”Seibel said he always loved playing music and was in a band in his high school days, but dreams of being a star on the stage were put off to go to college.”I've been a musician most of my life, but I gave it up to pursue medicine,” said Seibel. “Now I have combined those two things.”Seibel also has songs that are written for an older audience with titles ranging from “Growing Old Gracefully” and “Osteoporosis” to “Beer Brain Blues” and “Prostate Check.” Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 ext. 173.
