Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic welcomed first-grade students from Ellinwood Grade School and St. Joseph Catholic School for a Teddy Bear Clinic, a hands-on event designed to help children learn how a hospital works while easing fears about visiting a health care facility.
Students arrived carrying their favorite teddy bears and stuffed animals, ready to step into the role of healthcare professionals for the day. The young participants began their morning with a welcome before heading off to explore the hospital.
The clinic began with a tour of several hospital departments, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at how healthcare teams work together to care for patients. One highlight of the morning was a visit with EagleMed and local emergency responders, where students saw emergency vehicles up close and learned how patients are transported during emergencies.
As they moved through the hospital, students learned about the work happening in areas such as therapy, the emergency department and the laboratory. Hospital staff shared demonstrations and explained how equipment and teamwork help doctors and nurses diagnose and treat patients.
After the tour, students participated in the Teddy Bear Clinic. They rotated through hands-on stations where they helped care for their stuffed animals by checking heartbeats with stethoscopes, applying bandages, exploring medical imaging, giving pretend immunizations and learning proper handwashing techniques.
The event is designed to help children feel more comfortable in health care settings while showing them that hospitals are places where people come to heal and be cared for by compassionate professionals.
“Our goal is to make health care approachable and fun for kids,” Kristy Rupe, Ellinwood Hospital Foundation Director, said. “Experiences like this help remove fear and replace it with curiosity and confidence.”
The Teddy Bear Clinic also introduced students to the many careers that make a hospital run — from nurses and therapists to laboratory staff and emergency responders.
Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic partnered with Ellinwood Grade School and St. Joseph Catholic School to host the event and provide students with an opportunity to learn more about their local hospital.
For more information about Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic, visit www.ellinwooddistricthospital.org or call 620-564-2548