Care bears get bear care: kids are the doctors at Teddy Bear Hospital 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 11, 2025) – With a deep concentration, a little girl in a surgical mask and scrub cap pulls back on the syringe, drawing blood from the arm in front of her. When she misses her target measurement, she pushes the plunger back, sending the liquid back into the arm, and tries again.  

It’s a good thing the arm is made of rubber, and the “blood” looks and smells suspiciously like fruit punch. 

After a few tries to get just the right amount, there are smiles and high-fives all around. The medical staffer supervising carefully explains to the girl about blood draws, while another nearby shows a little boy a video of what real blood looks like under a microscope. In the next room, Spider-Man is undergoing a “tonsillectomy,” while Mickey Mouse gets an “X-ray” down the hall. 

The procedures might be make-believe, but the lessons are real. That’s the mission of the Child Life Program at Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH): taking the fear, anxiety and uncertainty kids have about medical treatment and turning it into a fun learning opportunity.  

At the second annual Teddy Bear Hospital, kids play the role of doctor, nurse, radiology tech, respiratory therapist and more as they assess and “treat” the ailments of their favorite toy. Playing alongside real-life medical experts — KCH physicians, nurses, techs, therapists, staff, as well as students from the University of Kentucky health colleges — kids and their families wind their way through a mock hospital where their toys receive the full gamut of health care. And when it comes to hosting immersive learning experiences, there’s no place better suited for the task than The Living Arts & Science Center (LASC.) 

“At The LASC, we’re dedicated to providing hands-on, interactive learning experiences in both the arts and sciences, connecting children with expert educators, scientists and artists,” said Jeanette Tesmer, LASC executive director. “This partnership with KCH is a perfect fit because we believe in helping kids understand the world around them — including places that might feel unfamiliar or even a little intimidating, like the hospital.” 

The cuddly “patients” — teddy bears, dolls and action figures — start at check-in where they have their temperature and blood pressure taken. Then it’s off to the “lab” for blood work, “radiology” for X-rays, and the “operating room” for a quick surgery. Each station is equipped with child-friendly toys and real medical equipment used in medical settings, such as stethoscopes, microscopes and teeny-tiny tabletop CT machines. Assisting with the “treatment” are members of the KCH medical team and UK students, all of whom volunteered to spend their day off from the real hospital to play in an imaginary one. Medical laboratory students from the College of Health Science volunteered at the event, using interactive play to help explain the role of the lab in drawing and analyzing blood.

“It’s a way for the students to serve their community while also educating the public on the important job done by lab professionals daily,” said Chad Guilliams, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical laboratory science.

“Play is a child’s natural way of understanding the world, and familiar toys can make medical experiences less intimidating by turning them into something recognizable and approachable,” said Jennifer Guilliams, director of the Child and Family Life Program at KCH. “No parent wants to picture their child in the hospital, but research shows that when kids are prepared, they navigate medical procedures with greater confidence and less fear.” 

The event was designed for kids ages 3-11, but Guilliams said kids ages 3-8 often are victims of their own overactive imaginations. When kids don’t know what to expect, they imagine the worst. Child life specialists use evidence-based interventions that disguise play as demonstrations of medical procedures. Studies have shown that when kids are prepared, they experience less stress and have reduced risk of long-term psychosocial trauma, which in turn leads to improved outcomes and recovery. Kids equipped with coping skills are more likely to seek medical care and not defer preventative care and screenings as adults. 

This year, a special Sensory Hour was held for kids with complex sensory needs. Those who would benefit from a calmer, less stimulating environment arrived early to move through the hospital at their own pace, and not be overwhelmed by too much noise and activity. 

Guilliams and Tesmer hope it can be a longstanding community event, preparing kids and their families with the knowledge and coping skills to face any medical situation. 

“We hope families come away feeling empowered,” said Guilliams. “Whether it’s a flu shot or a surgery, these skills give kids the confidence to navigate any health care experience.” 

The Teddy Bear Hospital is sponsored by the UK Federal Credit Union, and supported with in-kind donations from Walmart.