Georgetown, Ky. – On Thursday, Southern Elementary School turned its hallway into a bustling medical center as the Bear Care Clinic invited students to “play doctor” with their favorite stuffed animals. The event gave children a practical glimpse into health‑care careers, from radiology to pharmacy, while reinforcing the importance of the school‑based Centerpoint Health clinics.
Kids become doctors for a day
First‑timer Genesis Guyn proudly announced, “I did CPR on Beary,” after treating a stuffed bear with a cold and cough. Classmate Connor Perkins demonstrated how to immobilize a broken elbow while caring for Rudolph the Reindeer, explaining, “You just put your hand like this and then you keep pushing until the ambulance comes.” The hands‑on activities included mock X‑ray stations, a pretend operating room, a pharmacy counter and a cardiology corner where students listened to heartbeats on stethoscopes.
Learning beyond the classroom
Family Resource Coordinator Sydney Anderson said the program offers a unique way for children to see themselves as caregivers and health‑care professionals. “Going to the doctor can be scary,” Anderson noted. “This gives them the opportunity to be the caregiver or the doctor while having fun.” She added that exposing students to a variety of medical specialties helps them consider future career paths in a supportive environment.
Connecting health services to families
The event also highlighted the role of Centerpoint Health’s in‑school clinics, which provide convenient medical care during the school day. Nurse Practitioner Rachel Johnson explained, “These clinics allow students to be seen without leaving class, and they reduce missed work time for families.” By offering on‑site appointments, the clinics aim to keep children healthy and families productive.
Community impact
Parents and teachers praised the initiative for its educational value and its reinforcement of community health resources. Many noted that seeing health‑care professionals in action demystifies medical visits and encourages families to seek care early. The Bear Care Clinic’s partnership with Southern Elementary reflects a broader effort to integrate health education into everyday school life, fostering both academic and physical well‑being for Georgetown’s youngest residents.
As the day concluded, students left with certificates, a renewed curiosity about medicine, and a reminder that caring for one another starts at home and school.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
