Dr. Hal Ornstein Offers a Wizard of Oz Experience at His Podiatry Practice in Howell

Between theaters, television and home video, "The Wizard of Oz" is believed to be the most watched movie ever made. In a world where we all struggle with personal and professional issues, this story of brains, courage, heart and wisdom outlines a yellow brick road that we can all follow to find fulfillment and success in our lives.  Dr. Hal Ornstein, a podiatrist in Howell, NJ, was and continues to be so motivated by the message of The Wizard of Oz that he decided to decorate his medical office with not only an “Oz theme”, but more an “Oz experience”.  It all began in his second year of practice as a foot and ankle specialist/surgeon when a patient gave Dr. Ornstein a Wizard of Oz plate for his personal collection that he loved so much, he ended up hanging it in one of the treatment rooms.  This was the beginning of a passion to integrate his love for the movie into his professional world taking us to today where his office is in reality, a museum of Wizard of Oz memorabilia and messages.

Dr. Ornstein built his “Office of Oz” in 2007 and he states, “I had a vision of having a beautiful office and I wanted my team to feel like they were at home when they were here. Everything in the office is the best it can be, and to make the “Oz Experience” happen, I hired an interior designer and let her imagination run wild after several meetings and interactions speaking about my passion for the movie. I now have an entire office from floor to ceiling representing the Wizard of Oz and most notably, seven treatment rooms with each having a different character theme from the movie.  Personally, my favorite is the lion room and often hear comments about the paw prints running along the ceiling.”  Many of the items in his collection were, and continue to be donated by his patients, and he comments that a month rarely goes by where he doesn’t receive several Oz gifts from his patients.  “Not only do I love the gifts, but more importantly, I love that I’m including everyone is the “Oz experience” and feels great to know my patients care enough about me to give something that is known to be so close to my heart” says Dr. Ornstein. 

Adults and children alike love the office and patients sometimes are disappointed because they want to tour all the treatment rooms, but isn’t always possible to due to patients occupying those rooms. “It’s a great reaction,” says Dr. Ornstein.  “Watching them walk down the yellow brick road (the office hallway) being greeted by the Wicked Witch on the ceiling to end up in a room designed to feel like a character/scene from the movie is simply said, Oz-Some.” What he finds magical about The Wizard of Oz is how it has stood the test of time and one of the few classics that young children and adults watch time and time again.  Dr. Ornstein comments that each time he speaks with someone about “Oz”, they get a smile on their face and talk about their favorite part.  With that, he continues to reinforce his passion for the movie because, “It not only makes you feel good and smile, but more importantly teaches many of life's lessons when you look deeper into each character and the message overall."

Dr. Ornstein has been in private practice for over twenty-two years and serves as Medical Director of Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP with an office in Howell, NJ where he lives with his wife Anna and their two boys. To contact the Howell office located at 4645 Route 9 North, they can be reached at (732) 905-1110.  To learn more, please visit www.footdoctorsnj.com, and be sure to click on Dorothy on the home page with the ruby red shoes cursor.