A local hospital will soon be turning its attention to a different kind of patient. A teddy bear clinic is being held Saturday at Saint Joseph Health System Plymouth Medical Center.
Plymouth Medical Center president Loretta Schmidt says it’s a fun way to teach kids about health care, “We will provide each child with a teddy bear. We will also have band-aids and we will have some of the medical garb like surgical masks and gloves and the hats that kids can kind of dress up in, and they can actually work on their teddy bear.”
A pediatrician will be on hand to talk to kids, and hospital staff will be there to help them run the teddy bear through a “medical exam.” Schmidt says the idea’s to give kids an understanding of what it is that doctors and nurses do, “We’re really hoping that we’re able to connect with kids in a way that is nonthreatening, in a fun way, so that when kids see hospitals, see ambulances, see medics, see doctors and nurses, that they aren’t afraid, that they see us in a fun, helping way. And what better time to do that when they’re not sick, they’re not hurt, they’re not scared, they’re not frightened?”
During the event, kids will also get a chance to meet Samantha, the therapy dog. They’ll also be able to see inside a medical helicopter and an ambulance, as long as no emergencies require them to be elsewhere. Additionally, tours of the new emergency room as well as the rest of the hospital will be offered, and light refreshments will be served.
The free event will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon Saturday.
