Nurses and Child Life staff from ECU Health brought the Teddy Bear Hospital to Northwest Elementary School in Pitt County on Tuesday, Dec. 17, as part of the Pitt County Health Sciences Academy. Nearly 130 kindergarten and first-grade students participated in the event, designed to introduce young children to health care professionals in a welcoming and interactive setting.
Dressed in scrubs and personal protective equipment (PPE), the students acted as caregivers for their favorite stuffed animals. They guided their “patients” through the health care process, starting with check-in and triage. ECU Health nurses examined the stuffed animals, provided a diagnosis, and directed the children to one of three stations: Sutures & Bandages, Operating Room, or Clinic. Afterward, the students and their stuffed animals visited the recovery area, where each received a certificate of bravery.
“This event offers a unique and playful way to familiarize children with health care professionals,” said Nancy Turner, workforce development consultant at ECU Health. “By engaging with the students in a hands-on setting, we’re helping to make health care less intimidating while sparking curiosity about health-related careers.”
Turner emphasized the impact of early exposure to health care.
“When kids see the process in a fun and supportive environment, it not only eases fears about doctor’s visits but also shows them that health care is approachable and full of possibilities,” said Turner.
For many students, the Teddy Bear Hospital is just the beginning of their exploration of health care. ECU Health team members, in collaboration with the Health Sciences Academy, host a variety of programs for middle and high school students, including job shadowing, career fairs and events like “Chat with a Doc.”
“The goal is to engage students at every stage of their education,” said Turner. “Starting in elementary school, we show them that health care careers are diverse and accessible. Whether their interests lie in nursing, technology, or another area, there’s a role for everyone in health care.”
These programs reflect ECU Health’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of health care professionals while building a strong, local pipeline of talent to serve eastern North Carolina.
The Pitt County Health Sciences Academy is a partnership between ECU Health, Pitt County Schools, Pitt Community College, East Carolina University, the Brody School of Medicine, Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Engineering and Nursing at East Carolina University, School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University, the Eastern Area Health Education Center and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.