This morning, more than 100 kindergarten students at the KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy took part in a special program to learn what it’s like to visit the doctor or hospital. As part of Cooper University Health Care’s “Teddy Goes to School” program, each child received a special stuffed bear and circulated among various stations with health care professionals and real medical equipment to help the bears receive treatment for sore paws, painful ears, and shortness of breath, and to receive immunizations. The goal of program is to help children learn about common medical procedures and alleviate their fears of visiting the hospital or doctor.
The program, originally called “Teddy Goes to Cooper,” formerly invited students to the hospital for the teaching sessions. Post-COVID, the Teddy program now makes visits directly to Camden elementary schools.
