Practice Makes Perfect
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1 Comment [ View ]By Jamie Lampros
Standard-Examiner Correspondent
Students learn the ins and outs of hospitals
OGDEN -- What does your heart look and sound like? What's that coin doing in that person's stomach on that X-ray?
What's it like to give someone a shot? How does it feel to wear a cast?
What will happen if I have to stay overnight in the hospital?
Those were just a few of the questions asked by about 2,500 second-graders who visited Ogden Regional Medical Center during a recent field trip.
The weakling event, called Our Friend the Hospital, is sponsored by the Weber County Medical Alliance. Now in its 34th year, the alliance -- made up of doctor's spouses -- gives children an inside look at various parts of the hospital.
The idea is to alleviate and conquer any fears children might have about the hospital, said Kathleen Alder, whose husband is a general surgeon.
"The alliance really is invested in making sure the children understand," Alder said. "We truly want them to know what is going on in the hospital, so they will be more comfortable if they have to be in one. And the kids always seem to really appreciate and enjoy this event."
Each hour, 25 different schools in the Weber School District rotated their second-graders in for the hour-long session. Kids were shown X-rays of twins inside the uterus, swallowed coins and broken limbs, pictures of tonsils and the heart, and a real skeleton.
Each child got to wear a mask, dress up like a surgeon and handle surgical tools, listen to their heartbeat, look through a microscope, ride in a wheelchair, walk on crutches, lie down on a hospital bed, and give shots to dolls -- without the needle in the syringe, of course.
"Giving the shot was my favorite part," said Washington Elementary School student Sarah Clason.
"I've had a shot before, but I've never given a shot to anyone. It doesn't really hurt too much. I really want to learn about bones while I'm here, too."
Max Shivers, Irene Bishop and Troy Lingelbach each got to wear a cast after pretending to break their arms.
Alliance members Suzanne Moesinger and Roslyn Archibald put them in casts and had the kids wear them the full hour.
"It doesn't bother me at all," said Troy, who attends North Park Elementary School.
"I'm OK with it on, but I wouldn't want to wear it for six weeks."
Our Friend the Hospital was started after a local elementary school teacher requested that her students have a meaningful, hands-on experience at a workplace close to the school.
A volunteer at the school, whose husband was a doctor of radiology, invited the students to come and listen to him talk about his job.
The trip to the hospital was so successful, it turned into an annual event.
This year, children also got to write "get well" cards to actual patients staying in the hospital.
"In the past, the children have written thank you notes to us, and we love them; but this year we thought it would be nice for them to make 'get well' cards for the patients," alliance member Natasha Nielsen said.
"That way the hospital would have a nice gift that has been handmade by the children.
"During their lunch and dinner times, the cards will be delivered to (the patients) with their meals."
Children were also taught the importance of proper handwashing, proper nutrition, awareness of alcohol and drug abuse issues, wearing helmets and proper hygiene.
"My dad is a surgeon, and I've watched surgery before," said Ashlynn Smith, an H. Guy Child Elementary School student.
"It's neat, and it's my favorite part about today."
Add Your Comment
What exactly is a "weakling event"?
Kudos to the hospital for doing a good thing for the kids!
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