Teddy Bears, Mount Sinai South Nassau Professionals Teach Kids

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — Children spent time recently hugging stuffed animals as part of Mount Sinai South Nassau's free Teddy Bear Clinic.

Kindergartens gathered at the Rockville Centre Recreation Centre as the stuffed toys got tender loving care from nurses, respiratory therapists and other health care professionals.

"Our Teddy Bear Clinic is a great way to introduce children thru their stuffed animals to the hospital in a non-threatening way," Lynn Bert, Nurse Manager of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai South Nassau, said. "If and when they, or a loved one or friend, are taken to the emergency room or are admitted to the hospital, they will understand it is to receive the compassionate, expert care that helps people who are injured or sick."

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Teddy Bear Clinic is for all children ages 4 – 7.

Hospital staffers explained to the children the steps taken to determine an injury or illness, then talked them through the care that the stuffed animal required to heal and recover.

For more information about the Teddy Bear Clinic or Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education Program, call (516) 377-5333.