ATHENS, Ohio - Every year Little People's Hospital provides area children a chance to play doctor as they participate in mock medical procedures designed to accustom them and their families to the routines of regular health-care checkups. Under the watchful eyes of student physicians and medical personnel from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, O'Bleness Memorial Hospital and AmeriCorps volunteers, children of the greater Athens community examine and care for their favorite stuffed animals and areshown how medical exams can be painless and fun.
Little People's Hospital, which takes place Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Mall in Athens, is part of OU-COM's celebration of National Osteopathic Medicine Week and is held in conjunction with "Celebrating Families." Celebrating Families, which is sponsored by Athens County Children's Services, features live entertainment for the family throughout the day. Little People's Hospital will be staged inside the mall in the former Judy's storefront. Parents and their children are invited to attend this exciting and educational event.
"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.
"Every year during NOM Week, Little People's Hospital educates children and their parents about health issues and medical procedures. As last year, we wanted to continue to provide a more hands-on and interactive experience for our most precious audience, the children of the Athens area," added Trivison.
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 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 onkids or kids' favorite Teddy Bears and to provide information on poison prevention and other health topics.
"We encourage parents to bring everyone in the family to Little People's Hospital. Children can expect to have a fun-filled day."
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.
