HASTINGS — “How many Band-Aids® does the hospital use every year?” “Will having an operation hurt?” “My mommy had a baby here.”
Children often have big questions and statements to make about the hospital. At times, the hospital even can appear to be a scary place to a child who is not feeling well. But Mary Lanning Healthcare wants all children to know the hospital is a safe, caring place where they are welcome. That’s why the Mary Lanning Public Relations & Marketing Services Department each year invites a flood of students from Hastings and surrounding areas to take a peek at what MLH is all about.
Lisa Brandt, Director of PR & Marketing Services, said: “Mary Lanning’s Operation Education tour series is a great opportunity for students from throughout our area to come to the hospital and learn about a wide range of healthcare topics, all tailored to their level of learning. And by offering the presentations to three grade levels of students, we can reach all students as they progress through elementary school.”
The tour series begins January19-20, when more than 100 preschoolers come to the hospital. The children visit and learn about the Pediatric Unit and hear tips on safety, including seat belts, helmets and keeping foreign objects out of children’s mouths. January 26-28, first-graders come for a similar tour.
In February, third-graders will get a look inside the MLH Surgery Center, and hear from surgical professionals about what to expect if they, or a loved one, need an operation. They will learn about pre-surgical preparation, surgical equipment and monitors. They meet in a simulated surgical suite for the discussion. In honor of the 100th anniversary of Mary Lanning Healthcare, MLH has added a historical component to this year’s third-grade tour. Students will learn more about the story of Mary Lanning. Then in March, fifth-graders will visit the Medical Services Building on the Mary Lanning campus to learn about rehabilitation and recovery from sports injuries. The children meet and learn from a Certified Athletic Trainer in the MLH Rehabilitation Department.
Each student receives a commemorative Operation Education t-shirt, and some good health education, in exchange for attending the tour