Community Day School's visit to the hospital

Nearly every head turned as 12 pint-sized students, dressed appropriately and adorably in blue scrubs, made their way to the Simulation Lab of Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH). The kindergartners from the Hershorin Schiff Community Day School were privileged to enjoy a morning of learning and lunch thanks to the hospital's community outreach program and Dr. Kenneth Meredith, the father of kindergarten class member Eli and a renowned robotic gastrointestinal oncology surgeon at SMH.

The students began the morning examining high-fidelity patient simulators "Lucina" and "Stan." The computerized mannequins simulate real-life scenarios and help medical professionals to gain critical thinking and decision-making skills without exposing real patients to unnecessary risks.

Each child then received a cuddly bear and got into protective gear, including surgical gloves and masks, and covers for their hair. They explored some cool medical tools and learned about the different ways people can "get fixed" when they are sick. They worked on their teddies, checking heart rates and giving shots, and gently affixing Band-Aids once the injections were done.

The students then watched a video showing how surgeons use the da Vinci robot to perform surgery through small keyhole-size incisions, with further explanation of the process by Dr. Meredith. They got to examine robotic arms up close; robots come in all shapes and sizes and help doctors perform many surgeries in hard-to-reach places with great precision.

The students took a break from learning to color pages from their new books from SMH, "My Visit to the Hospital," and then learned about how the hospital tries to make children's stays at the pediatric wing more pleasant. The pediatric wing has a music room, play room, and many ways of treating younger patients that reduce fear and provide care with great compassion. They watched intently as two of the SMH medical professionals demonstrated the placement of an IV into the arm of an oversize stuffed doll.

The final learning session gave the students an opportunity to get up and moving, as they learned about how physical therapy and mobility tools help people who have been injured or sick to regain strength and mobility. They worked with resistance bands and TheraPutty, and then tried out crutches, a walker and a wheelchair.

"What a fantastic opportunity for our kids to be able to have such an eye-opening, fun, and hands-on experience to learn about the care available at Sarasota Memorial Hospital while also removing some of the mystique and anxiety of a hospital visit," said Community Day head of school Dan Ceaser. "We are so grateful to Dr. Meredith for making this opportunity possible and the community outreach team at SMH for their hospitality and for interacting so wonderfully with the children. The students had a wonderful time!"

For more about the school, go to CommunityDay.org or call 941-552-2770.

About Hershorin Schiff Community Day School
The mission of the Hershorin Schiff Community Day School, which serves students in preschool through eighth grade, is to impact the world by creating a community where children of all faiths demonstrate integrity, academic excellenc, and a desire to improve the world. Community Day offers a rigorous, project-based academic program in a diverse and vibrant learning environment rooted in the Jewish values of honesty, integrity, mutual trust and respect. For more information, visit the website at communityday.org or call (941) 552-2770.