Little People's Hospital: Children Become Doctors for a Day During National Osteopathic Medicine Week Celebration

Contact: Tia Trivison, Mgr., Marketing & PR For Clinic Services, (740) 593-9572

ATHENS, Ohio (October 27, 2000) -- Do you think your child might be the next Doogie Howser? This Saturday, Nov. 4, at Little People's Hospital, kids from our community will be able to perform their first procedures (Pass the suture thread, mom)! Under the watchful eyes of student physicians and medical personnel from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) and O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, children from the greater Athens area will be able to play doctor as they diagnose and treat their favorite teddy bears or stuffed animals. Little People's Hospital, which takes place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the University Mall in Athens, is part of OU-COM's National Osteopathic Medicine (NOM) Week celebration and in conjunction with the "Celebrating Families" event, sponsored by Athens County Children's Services. Parents and their children are invited to attend this exciting and educational event.

"Your children will be given the chance to examine their stuffed animals the same way a physician might examine them. They will be able to measure for height and weight, check vital signs such as blood pressure and do bandaging on their stuffed friends," said Tia Trivison, NOM Week coordinator for OU-COM. "This year we're asking children to bring their teddy bears or other stuffed animals. We think learning about medical exams this way can make those necessary trips to the doctor less stressful occurrences for children and their parents."

"Every year during NOM Week, Little People's Hospital educates children and their parents about health issues and medical procedures. This year we wanted to make it even more hands-on and interactive for our most precious audience, the children of the Athens area," added Trivison.

The mock hospital includes a real hospital bed that children can raise and lower, an X-ray light panel that shows pictures of healthy and broken bones, dental activities, displays on nutrition and seat belt/safety seat, to name a few of the activities. Nurses and technicians from O'Bleness Memorial Hospital will be on hand to conduct splinting for kids or on their favorite Teddy Bears, breathing treatments and to provide information on poison prevention and other health topics.

OU-COM's Mobile Health Van will be located in the mall parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will provide free childhood immunizations for those who bring their children's shot records. Adult flu shots will also be administered for $5. For those over 65 with a Medicare B card, flu shots are no charge.

Coinciding with the Little People's Hospital will be Athens County Children Services' special event, Celebrating Families. Celebrating Families will feature live entertainment throughout the day. Among the entertainment will be the stars of the PBS series, "Abracadabra," Mike Adelman, D.P.M., D.O., and his puppet pal, Joey, who will perform magic tricks and treats starting at 11:30 a.m. The Mark Wood Magic Fun Show and exotic animals from the Columbus Zoo will round out the exciting line-up for kids at the Mall.

"The emphasis of this program is to demonstrate to children how to stay healthy. Medical students from OU-COM even provide children with eye, ear, nose and throat screenings. Of course, these are not true physicals, but our students can pick up real problems and talk to parents about seeking further medical attention," said Trivison. "We encourage parents to bring the whole family to Little People's Hospital. Children will have a fun-filled day, and at the same time parents will be able to get immunizations for them."

Also, in Little People's Hospital will be other health booths providing posture checks and blood pressure and lean body mass screenings for adults as well as information on adult immunizations, cancer prevention and nutrition.

The Little People's Hospital is co-sponsored by OU-COM's Community Service Programs, Area Health Education Center, the Pediatrics Club and other student organizations, as well as O'Bleness Memorial Hospital and the Ohio Department of Health. For more information, contact Tia Trivison at (740) 593-9572 or Community Service Programs at (740) 593-2293.