Mercer Health welcomed over 800 kindergarteners from local elementary schools, as well as students from Versailles Elementary School in Darke County and homeschool cohorts in the area, to its Play Hospital program this year. For nearly three decades, Mercer Health has invited young students to attend this interactive program that helps them learn about healthcare and tour the hospital while having fun. This year’s program included a visit with Ripsi, the therapy dog who works with Mercer Health Medical Group Mental Wellness patients.
“We are thrilled to have local students here to visit us,” said Mindy Kremer, Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications at Mercer Health. “Our goal is to make the hospital seem less scary if they ever have to come visit us, and for the kids to have fun while learning something new about the healthcare field.”
In addition to the Play Hospital program, Mercer Health also hosted a Medical Explorers program earlier this spring. This program allowed freshman and sophomores from area schools to visit Mercer Health for an opportunity to explore volunteer positions and future career paths. They also learned more about their local healthcare system and its impact on the local community.