A University of Queensland Medical Society program that promotes a healthy lifestyle to Queensland children plans to be bigger and better in 2013.
The successful Teddy Bear Hospital initiative teaches primary school children about healthy eating, regular exercise, dental hygiene and sun safety.
UQ medical students and co-convenors Amy Schmidt and Stephanie Smith said the Teddy Bear Hospital encourages children to make healthy choices from a young age.
“Teaching these kids about a healthy lifestyle early on, and in a fun environment, is the best thing we can do to ensure their health in the future,” Amy said.
“The program teaches through the medium of teddy bears with its chief mascot Big Ted leading the charge in promoting its key health messages.
“We also aim to encourage a positive relationship with health professionals by teaching kids about visiting the doctor,” she said.
The Teddy Bear Hospital’s 2013 program launched with a visit to Eaton’s Hill State School.
Stephanie said Big Ted and the Teddy Bear Doctors had a great time teaching the kids how to look after the health of their teddies.
“By the end of the visit they could pick 'sometimes' foods, from 'all the time' foods, recite the five moments of sun safety, and could even demonstrate how to use a stethoscope,” she said.
Run entirely by medical students, the program is the main project of the Medical Society’s charity affiliate, the Ashintosh Foundation.
Since its inception in 2010, the interactive program has seen hundreds of UQ medical student volunteers travel to more than a hundred primary schools across Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast.
“The program has educated thousands of children about living healthy lifestyles and this year we are building up our army of Teddy Bear Doctors even further and visiting a greater number of primary schools across Queensland,” Amy said.
“It is a great way for medical students to get involved in the community from the get-go.”
If anyone is interested in finding out more about the program please contact the University of Queensland Medical Society.
Media: Mihir Shanker, University of Queensland Medical Society, 0401 221 481 or liaison@uqms.org
