- Darlene George, CRTT, with The Bellevue Hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Department, talks about the dangers of smoking and tobacco use with Clyde elementary school first graders.
- Clyde elementary school first graders listen attentively as an EMT with North Central EMS discusses lifesaving equipment and the proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency phone number.
First graders from Clyde-Green Springs Schools and Clyde St. Mary’s School recently toured The Bellevue Hospital and learned about safety during presentations in some of the hospital departments.
Sponsored by The Bellevue Hospital’s Retention and Recruitment Committee, the Safety Tour hosted over 200 first graders from Clyde Elementary, Green Springs, and St. Mary’s schools.
“This is an annual event for first graders from Bellevue and Clyde Schools,” commented Darlene Stewart, chair of the committee. “We attempt to increase their awareness of safety and how they can stay healthy.”
“An added benefit is to see the hospital as a health resource in the community and not a scary place,” continued Stewart. “Hopefully, some of these children will have such a positive experience that they may choose a healthcare career and see that there are many choices of jobs within a hospital setting, not just doctors and nurses.”
At each stop in one of the hospital departments, the children learned about safety and received a treat for their goodie bag.
The children began by walking through a North Central EMS ambulance to learn about lifesaving equipment and the 9-1-1 emergency phone number. In the Lab, the students learned how cuts and scrapes might become infected. Students received stickers following that presentation. In the Cardiopulmonary Department, the students learned about how smoking is bad for you before receiving notepads for their goodie bags. In the Emergency Department, the topic was bicycle and street safety. Students received a pencil following the presentation. From there, the tour stopped in the Radiology Department, where the students learned how bones get broken sometimes during bicycle accidents. Stickers were given away for the goodie bags.
Next stop was the Surgery Department, where students learned what happens during a surgery. The kids each received a surgical mask and hat. Next up was Pharmacy where the kids learned that medicine is not candy. Crayons were handed out after the talk. In the Physical Therapy Department, students learned how to “Get Up Off That Couch & Exercise.” Each student received a coloring book. The final stop was for a talk from the Medical/Surgical Department staff, where students learned about sneezing, coughing, blowing their nose, and proper hand washing techniques. Each student received a bottle of hand sanitizer and a pack of Kleenex. The Dietary Department concluded the event with a talk about the values of healthy foods for kids. Each student then received a healthy snack.