(Marinette, Wis.) - Bay Area Medical Center brought health care to life for many children on March 21 and 24. Over 240 Marinette and Menominee elementary students toured the hospital to see health care in action and learn about healthy habits and safety.

" It was a memorable tour for many kids," said Cheryl Windbiel, volunteer services coordinator at BAMC. "One visit to the nursery was extra special. A boy on the tour was introduced to his newborn sister for the first time. We were close to tears," she said. "You can't plan things like that."

The recent tour was part of a re-designed program to increase school
participation, enhance the tour experience and reduce patient disruption. Modules were designed to highlight physical therapy, nursing, OB, X-ray and emergency services.

Children learned about things like bones and muscles, how patients are cared for in the hospital, newborn babies, avoiding injuries and what to do in emergencies.

" We wanted to make it educational and fun at the same time," said Windbiel." So we let them play with lots of equipment like wheel chairs, crutches, walkers, cribs, bassinets and blood pressure cuffs. They even got to climb through an ambulance, and they loved it!"

Children were also given goodie bags stuffed with an emergency care guide, bicycle safety rulers, stickers and tattoo bandages.

The next tour program will be scheduled for 2nd through 5th graders in
October. For more information or to schedule an October tour, contact Cheryl Windbiel at (715) 735-4200 extension 4418.