MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT: Richard Heck, 740.593.0896

Med School meets pre- and elementary school at OU-HCOM’s Little People’s Hospital
Forget the pretend doctor kit. Curious kids use real stethoscopes and X-rays.

WHO:          Kids in pre- and elementary school 

WHAT:        OU-HCOM Little People’s Hospital at Kidfest

WHERE:     Grosvenor Hall 113

WHEN:       Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHY:          Kids gain an early introduction to medicine and health care and learn that visiting a physician doesn’t have to be unpleasant

(ATHENS, Ohio – 4.12.12) Medical instruments aren’t just for doctors and nurses anymore. At OU-HCOM’s Little People’s Hospital, inquisitive kids can learn to use a stethoscope, examine an interactive mannequin used in medical training, look deep inside another person’s ear, and more.

OU-HCOM’s Little People’s Hospital serves as an early and fun introduction to medicine for preschool and elementary school children, and for the cautious, may help demonstrate that visiting a doctor doesn’t have to be unpleasant. Medical students will introduce children to an interactive mannequin and teach them how to take someone’s blood pressure and examine an X-ray of someone's arm and leg, among other activities. Children who attend the event will receive a certificate of participation.

For the first time, OU-HCOM’s Little People’s Hospital will be held in conjunction with Kidfest, the annual day of fun for children organized and sponsored in part by Athens County Services. “Child Safety” is the theme of the 23rd annual Kidfest on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ohio University Convocation Center and Tail-Gate Park.

There is no admission for Little People’s Hospital; admission to Kidfest is $3 and children age 2 and under are free.

The Area Health Education Center at OU-HCOM sponsors Little People’s Hospital.