Kristy Roocke’s last day after seven years at Mateer Orthodontics coincided with the practice’s Toy Story-themed Halloween event. Roocke dressed as Bo Peep and told NBC New York that the yearly projects had given staff a chance to use their artistic skills and that she would miss her colleagues. Dr. Scott Mateer said the office was sorry to see her leave and wished her well.
The staff joined in the theme: Mateer treated patients as Buzz Lightyear, receptionist Sonia Lopez portrayed Woody, and dental assistant Felicia Cook dressed as Sid. Dental assistant Kyra Howell wore a Wheezy costume, while other employees represented Jessie, Zurg and Gabby Gabby, according to NBC New York.
A franchise theme shaped the office
The office used different Toy Story films as inspiration for its spaces. The waiting room became Andy’s bedroom, the reception desk was made to resemble a toy chest, and the dental-chair area took on a Pizza Planet look, with a handmade claw machine for patient photos, NBC New York reported.
Insurance coordinator Dakota Duffy said the team chose the franchise partly because its fifth installment had come out in June and they expected the theme to appeal to patients. The series also gave staff several films to draw ideas from, she told NBC New York.
Staff prepared the display in advance
Planning began in August, with staff using lunch breaks in September and October to work on the sets. The office closed the Friday before Halloween week for a three-day setup, and employees made the oversized decorations in the main hallway, according to NBC New York.
The Toy Story display follows earlier Halloween themes at the Commack practice. Daily Voice reported on a past Stranger Things transformation featuring Mateer as Vecna. In a separate report, NBC Washington covered a Nightmare Before Christmas theme in which Mateer dressed as Jack Skellington.
