Emory Eta-Tavo cares for Emory patients. Now, she’s helping kids feel confident about their health.
Registered nurse and mother of two Emari Atta-Tavo poses for a photo in her home in Fairburn on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Ata-Tavo created “Nurse Dolly,” an educational web series teaching age-appropriate lessons about the human body, healthy habits and everyday wellness. (Abe Cutrer/AJC)
Moms, dads, Ms. Rachel fans — get ready to learn about X-rays and checkups. A new voice is emerging on social media. growing rapidly, “Nurse Dolly” This could be the next big hit for families everywhere.
Atlanta-area nurse and mother of two, Emery Atta-Tavo is the creator behind the social media personality at “Mini Med School.” When she’s not treating patients at Emory Healthcare, she becomes Nurse Dolly, a smiling and singing entertainer who delivers a feel-good message to children.
“As a brand-new mom and a nurse, I forced myself to think a lot about how I could continue to have a meaningful impact beyond the bedside,” Eta-Tavo told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I love nursing, but I also knew I wanted to reach people in a different way, especially families and children.”
Emery Atta-Tawo, also known as Nurse Dolly, uses stuffed animals and toy cars to accompany doctor’s visits from checkups to X-rays. (Abe Cutrer/AJC)
It all started in 2025 while watching YouTube videos with his sons. Seeing the gap in educational content for children, Atta-Tawo decided to start her own content channel that would focus on children’s health and well-being. The video has already been viewed nearly 300,000 times on the platform.
“Nurse Dolly” teaches kids about emotions and healthy habits like hand washing, and uses stuffed animals and toy cars to simulate doctor visits — from checkups to X-rays — so they understand what’s happening and feel less scared. It’s giving modern health care a face and personality, all with catchy tunes parents will likely find themselves humming for months.
According to Alexina Santos, a Florida nurse and mother of three, Ata-Tavo’s budding social media channel has already made a meaningful impact on her family.
“Whatever she’s teaching, whatever she’s bringing to the table, I want my kids to learn and grow,” Santos told the AJC. “The fact that she’s a woman of color is also important. I’m African myself, grew up in America. My husband is Hispanic, so our kids are biracial.”
Santos said representation has always mattered to him. She grew up in a diverse community surrounded by Asian, Hispanic, White, Black, African, and Caribbean families, and wants her daughter to have the same experiences as those reflected in the media.
Now, her 4-year-old daughter is crazy about “Nurse Dolly.”
Santos said, “Nurse Dolly has music and all that, but it also has a professional tone to it.” “So for me, I want to see my kids learning from something I can trust.”
Emari Ata-Tavo started the educational web series “Mini Med School with Nurse Dolly” to teach age-appropriate lessons about the human body, healthy habits and everyday wellness. (Abe Cutrer/AJC)
This is a responsibility that a social media creator does not take lightly.
When asked about their impact on families, Etta-Tavo wrote in an email, “I didn’t initially think, ‘I need representation.’ “I set out to fill a gap. There are many programs for children, but very few that specifically focus on health, body composition, hygiene and wellness in an age-appropriate way.”
Nevertheless, she soon realized that her presence had additional significance.
“When children see someone who looks like them teaching confidently, professionally and positively about health and wellness, it builds their confidence that it is possible for them. It’s powerful, Especially when we consider that women of color are underrepresented in many areas of health care.
Alexina Santos, a Florida nurse and mother of three, said of Emery Atta-Tavo (pictured)’s budding social media channel: “Everything she’s teaching, everything she’s putting out, are things I want my kids to learn and improve upon. The fact that she’s a woman of color is important, too.” (Abe Cutrer/AJC)
Nurse Dolly may be a new presence on social media, but Ata-Tavo won’t have to wait long to see the impact of her work. Santos’s 4-year-old daughter — and likely countless others — are already excited to wear their first stethoscope.
“I don’t know if I’m a part of my daughter’s influence,” Santos said. “But after watching Nurse Dolly and getting more into her, she says, ‘Mom, I’m going to be a smart doctor.'”
Flu season is still going on. Here are tips from Emory nurse Emory Ata-Tavo, also known as ‘Nurse Dolly’, in her web series that highlights everyday health for children.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Lather up and rub around your fingers and thumb.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Instead of using your hands, fold your sleeve and sneeze or cough into it. This will keep your hands clean and your friends healthy.
- Keep high-touch areas clean. Items like remotes, light switches, and door handles can carry a lot of germs. Be sure to wipe them down with disinfectant wipes regularly.
- Provide energy to your body with healthy foods. Give priority to fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water.
- get some rest. Let your body recharge while you take a nap.
Hunter Boyce is a writer, digital creator, and journalist born on a Berks County farm. Throughout his career, Hunter has written sports, entertainment, political and local breaking news for a variety of outlets.
