Spencer Hospital Works to Reduce Medical Anxiety with ‘Teddy Bear Clinic’

Spencer Hospital welcomed over 350 first-grade students from the region for a special Teddy Bear Clinic and hospital tour. Designed to create a positive and engaging experience, the event helped familiarize young students with the hospital environment, making it a less intimidating place should they ever need medical care in the future. 

The visit began with a warm welcome as students received high-fives from a giant teddy bear, setting the stage for a fun and educational experience. The children were then divided into small groups and rotated through various interactive stations throughout the hospital. 

“Often, children come to the hospital when they or a loved one are sick, and it can be a little scary,” said Brenda Tiefenthaler, Spencer Hospital President/CEO. “We wanted to create an opportunity for the students in our region to visit the hospital in a fun way, allowing them to learn that Spencer Hospital and everyone who works here are here to help them.” 

During the hospital tour, the first graders visited key departments, including a medical-surgical inpatient room, the pre-op and recovery areas in same-day surgery, the rehabilitative services therapy pool, the patient draw room in the laboratory, and the x-ray machine in diagnostic imaging. 

A highlight of the visit was the hands-on Teddy Bear Clinic, made possible by the generous donation of teddy bears from the Build-A-Bear Foundation. Each child received a teddy bear to name and care for as they experienced various medical appointments. The young visitors accompanied their bears to a wellness check with a Spencer Hospital provider, had “blood drawn” for lab tests with a band-aid applied, and even took their bear to get an x-ray, and splint fit needed. 
 
"The Teddy Bear Clinic was a wonderful opportunity for area first graders to learn that visiting the doctor for routine check-ups and vaccinations is safe and important for their health. Through engaging, hands-on activities, we were able to ease fears and build trust in a healthcare setting. Outreach events like this are essential in fostering a positive relationship between children and medical professionals, setting the foundation for a lifetime of good health," said Angel Smith, Clay County Public Health Director. 

At the conclusion of the visit, each first grader took home their teddy bear, the bear’s x-ray, and a toothbrush, along with the lasting memories of a positive and fun-filled hospital visit.