VAN BUREN, Ark. – A trip to the emergency room may seem scary to some children, but Baptist Health-Van Buren and the city’s school district are partnering to make sure its kindergarten students know what to expect if the unexpected happens, all while learning about the human body.
The effort is part of the Van Buren School District’s Project Lead the Way, an educational unit on the human body and how it works. In the lesson, the students learn about a child who has fallen on the playground and broken her arm. Baptist Health-Van Buren provides the setting “Kinder Urgent Care,” the final portion of the lesson during which hospital staff will lead the students through a mock exam and X-ray. The students will also learn how to protect their bones and keep their bodies healthy.
“Kinder Urgent Care allows our kids the luxury of experiencing this scenario in a non-threatening environment,” said Julie Cottrell, STEM Coordinator/PLTW Teacher. “It is a win-win for all involved. Our kids see hospital staff as community helpers, while the staff of Baptist Health-Van Buren gets to become more involved with our community in a learning environment.”
Approximately 500 students from Tate, Parkview, Rena, Central, King and City Heights Elementary Schools experienced “Kinder Urgent Care” on Tuesday, April 23, and Wednesday, April 24. This is the second year the hospital has collaborated with the school district to provide this interactive lesson.
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, and faith-based health care organization. Baptist Health is also Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 access points and approximately 11,000 employees operating 11 hospitals. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com or call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
