Kids Learn, Have Fun and Tour Hospitals through Mercer Health’s Play Hospital Program

For nearly 30 years, Mercer Health has invited local kindergarten students to attend Play Hospital, an interactive program for young students to learn about healthcare and tour the hospital among other fun stops. This year, over 800 kindergarteners from Mercer County elementary schools, as well as students from Versailles Elementary School in Darke County and several homeschool cohorts in the area, attended the program.

The goal of Play Hospital is to make the hospital seem like a less scary place if they have to come visit us, and for the kids to have fun and learn something new about the healthcare field. Some students even had the chance to meet Ripsi, the therapy dog who works with Mercer Health Medical Group Mental Wellness patients.

Earlier this spring, Mercer Health also hosted a Medical Explorers program. This program allows freshman and sophomores from area schools to visit Mercer Health for an opportunity to explore volunteer positions and future career paths. They also learn more about their local healthcare system and its impact on the local community.

Mindy Kremer, Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications at Mercer Health said “We loved having our local students here to visit with us.” She explained that their goal is not only to educate children but also make them feel comfortable when they need medical attention in the future.