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MPR: 'Smallpox: A Musical': "'The halls are awash, with the sound of mucus. And everyday ills, are now shown the door. 'Cause deep in our hearts, what has so confused us, is fevers and pustules and festering sores,' sing hospital workers to the melody of 'The Sound of Music.'

The musical is the brainchild of Dr. Daniel Whitlock, vice president of medical affairs at St. Cloud Hospital. But these days, in addition to his administrative role, Whitlock is busy making casting calls. His eyes twinkle as he runs a hand through his silver hair.

'I thought you'd be a good one,' he says to a perspective recruit, 'because you have stage presence. And you're dynamic.'

This is a change of pace for Whitlock. Just over a month ago, his staff had to care for two school shooting victims. The emergency showed how communication is critical in a crisis situation. The play they're putting on now is whimsical, but its message is serious. After Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government pushed hard for hospitals to step up their bioterrorism preparedness. St. Cloud Hospital was chosen to lead the region in its efforts. That meant assessing pharmacological stockpiles and isolation rooms, updating equipment, and coordinating with federal agencies.

A year and a half later, Whitlock says he and his colleagues had to figure out how to convey their findings to hospital staff.

'And I'll be the first to admit, we were probably a little bit squirrelly after spending this concerted amount of time studying some very, very boring topics,' he says.

Whitlock dreaded another talking-head lecture about smallpox. Then came a 'eureka' moment.

'Somebody said, 'Why don't we put on a play?'' Whitlock recalls. 'And then somebody said, 'Why don't we make it a musical?' And somebody said, 'I can see it now: 'Smallpox: A Musical.''"

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