Families welcome for Teddy Bear Clinic on Aug. 6 at Medina Memorial
Photo by Tom Rivers: A kindergartner from Medina checks her stuffed animal during the Teddy Bear Clinic at Medina Memorial Hospital on April 23 when about 100 kindergartners brought in their stuffed animals. Medina Memorial welcomes the students to help them feel more comfortable if they ever need to go the hospital. The kids can bring in toys and give those dolls and stuffed animals bandages, X-rays, Band-Aids and other care.
MEDINA – An event to make children more comfortable if they have to be hospitalized has become a tradition at Medina Memorial Hospital.
On Aug. 6, Orleans Community Health will sponsor a special Teddy Bear Clinic from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for children and their families.
Designed for children of all ages, the Teddy Bear Clinic provides a fun, hands-on experience that will help young visitors become familiar with a hospital setting in a friendly, non-threatening environment, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at OCH. The program has long been a favorite community outreach initiative and is regularly offered to Pre-K and kindergarten students throughout the school year.
Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal or teddy bear to serve as their “patient” during the visit. As they tour the hospital, participants will stop at several departments, where team members will explain what they do and demonstrate how they help care for patients.
Stops included in the tour are laboratory/blood draw, radiology/imaging, surgical services and pediatric care, as well as additional hospital departments and services.
“The Teddy Bear Clinic is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore the hospital in a fun and interactive way,” Robinson said. “By allowing children to experience our hospital in a low-stress comfortable way, we hope to reduce fears they may have about future healthcare visits, while helping them understand the important role our team plays in caring for the community.”
The event is free, but registration is required to ensure an enjoyable experience for all participants. Families can register by e-mailing srobinson@medinamemorial.org.
