Medical School students at the University of Limerick today hosted the University’s annual Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) with over 400 Limerick’s primary school children from 6 different schools and their teddy bears. The aim of the event is to alleviate childhood anxiety about the medical environment, its procedures and the professionals that work within it.

Over 130 first and second year medical students took part in the event which saw 10 medical stations set up in the University Arena focusing on a wide range of activities.

Speaking from the event UL GEMS student Jennifer Schacter said “this is our third annual Teddy Bear Hospital at UL. Our main goal this year was to expand the number of primary schools we were able to invite to the event. The idea of the event remains the same, primary school students bring their teddy bear which then plays the role of the patient for the day. This visit to the Teddy Bear Hospital provides the children with an opportunity to interact with and assist in a range of simulated healthcare settings, while also allowing them to learn about healthy habits, like the importance of eating well and exercise."

The promotion of a healthy lifestyle and preventative medicine was at the forefront of this educational and fun event. The topics covered included the importance of regular exercise, thorough hand-washing techniques and a healthy diet.

Speaking about the UL Teddy Bear Hospital UL President, Professor Don Barry said “This is just the third year that UL has run this event and already it has grown in terms of attending schools. ‘Bearing’ in mind the fact that the Graduate Entry Medical School was only recently established and that its students are undertaking a highly intensive medical education programme it is remarkable that this type of initiative has developed so early in the School’s history. It is a testament to the type of student that the Medical School at the University of Limerick attracts.”

This initiative was run by six current Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) students: Jennifer Schacter, Ann Morris, Gillian O'Donnell, Amrita Sembhi, Giulia Martone and Julia Healy.

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