He was a dad, like so many dads who took their kids to Doctor’s Day at Science Central today.

But Kathy O’Shaughnessy, a volunteer at the 29th annual event, recalled him clearly after the five-hour, hands-on experience ended.

The man accompanied his 3-year-old, who wore a tiny, white doctor’s coat. And he pushed a stroller that contained a baby dressed in even tinier scrubs.

Sure, the children are too young to decide whether they will pursue a career in health care. But their dad did follow that path, a decision he made after attending Doctor’s Day years ago when he was growing up. It was a full circle moment.

Those two tots were among more than 1,900 people who attended the 2024 Doctor’s Day, which was organized by the Fort Wayne Medical Society. Indiana University Health, Lutheran Health Network and Parkview Health were among the participants.

Visitors were given free admission to the children’s science museum, which boasted 35 health care-related booths for the day. Children and teens could learn about surgery, dentistry, radiology and many other specialties. They could attend sessions on lifesaving organ donation programs and the dangers of vaping.

“It was busy, crowded, lots of families,” O’Shaughnessy said, adding that the attendance surpassed recent previous years by at least 100.

Visitors are fascinated every year by the booth where medical school students allow children to see – and even touch – an eyeball, a heart, lungs and kidneys all belonging to a cow, she said. Demonstrations include views inside the organs.

“The dissections are always good,” said O’Shaughnessy, who was interviewed by phone. “(The kids) are always excited about that.”

Schools offering health care classes also participated today, including the University of Saint Francis, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana University, Huntington University and Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne.

Teens aren’t the only ones who take information from those booths. O’Shaughnessy said some parents pick up the brochures for their own future educations.

Asked whether some future doctors, nurses and veterinarians were among today’s Doctor’s Day visitors, O’Shaughnessy said yes, “I know 100%.”