ARUP Laboratories Helps Grant a Wish With Make-A-Wish Utah

It's not every day that ARUP Laboratories' employees break into dance, but on June 29, 2026, a dozen team members did just that to help Make-A-Wish^® Utah (MAWU) grant a wish kid's dream.

For the day, Calvin, 2, who is living with Tay-Sachs disease, transformed into "Dr. Professor Overlord," a supervillain who took over ARUP's Advanced Practice Clinical Laboratory Training Center (APL). The APL is used to train medical laboratory scientists.

Because his villain persona was a mad scientist, MAWU sought out a laboratory setting that could help bring the experience to life, and ARUP was a natural fit.

Dressed in his favorite color green with goggles, gloves, and a custom lab coat, Dr. Professor Overlord set out to conduct a series of imaginative "experiments."

His first experiment involved activating a fictional "Rhythm Resonator," which filled the lab with music and prompted employees from Human Resources, Marketing, the APL, and ARUP Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Genzen, MD, PhD, MBA, to tap their toes, clap their hands, and dance along.

"This is an incredibly meaningful opportunity to support the community and connect our work to the patients and families we ultimately serve," said Genzen. "We are here to support them."

The joy was contagious. Smiles, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose filled the space as employees embraced the moment, danced like no one was watching, and brought the vision to life.

After his time at ARUP, Dr. Professor Overlord continued his citywide "takeover," visiting Hogle Zoo and riding the train at This Is the Place Heritage Park. His adventure ended at the Salt Lake City and County Building where Mayor Erin Mendenhall officially proclaimed the day, "Dr. Professor Overlord Day," presented him with the keys to the city, and thanked him for his efforts to bring people together.

"Salt Lake City is better because of the takeover," she said. "Dr. Professor Overlord has inspired us all."

Dozens of supporters gathered to cheer him on, chanting his name as they celebrated. For Calvin and his family, including his mother, Katey Halpin, who dyed her hair green in his honor, the experience was emotional and meant everything. Moments like these reflect ARUP's commitment to supporting patients and communities with compassion, both inside and outside the laboratory.

Calvin and his mother arrived at ARUP dressed in green, his favorite color, the day he transformed into a supervillain named Dr. Professor Overlord.