ATHENS, Ohio -- This Saturday, Nov. 3, at Little People's Hospital, area kids will have a chance to be doctors as they participate in mock medical procedures designed to accustom them and their family to the routines involved in regular health-care checkups. Under the attentive eyes of student physicians and medical personnel from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, O'Bleness Memorial Hospital and Americorps workers, children of the greater Athens community play doctor as they examine and care for their favorite stuffed animals and are shown how medical exams can be painless and fun.
"Your children will have the chance to examine their stuffed animals the same way a doctor might examine your children. They will be able to measure for height and weight, check vital signs such as blood pressure and do bandaging on their stuffed playmates," said Tia Trivison, NOM Week coordinator for OU-COM. "This year again we're asking children to bring their teddy bears or other stuffed animals. We think learning about medical checkups this way will make visits to the doctor less stressful for children and their parents."
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 Week celebration and is held in conjunction with "Celebrating Families." "Celebrating Families" is sponsored by Athens County Children's Services and features live entertainment for the family throughout the day.
Little People's Hospital will be staged inside the mall between the former optical shop and Elder-Beerman. Parents and theirchildren are invited to attend this exciting and educational event.
The mock hospital includes: items from a hospital room, including a hospital bed that children can raise and lower; an X-ray light panel that shows pictures of healthy and broken bones; an eye chart; the healthy heart display; and "What's in the Doctor's Black Bag," to name just a few of the activities available at stations for children to visit. Fun and informational giveaways are provided for children and parents. Nurses and technicians from O'Bleness Memorial Hospital will be on hand to demonstrate proper bandaging on kids or kids' favorite Teddy Bears and to provide information on poison prevention and other health topics.
The Little People's Hospital is co-sponsored by OU-COM's Community Service Programs, Area Health Education Center, OU-COM student organizations and O'Bleness Memorial Hospital. For more information, contact Tia Trivison at (740) 593-9572.
