Calhoun Community College to Host 24th Annual Let’s Pretend Hospital for Area First-Graders
Decatur, Alabama – April 9, 2024 – Calhoun Community College, in partnership with Decatur Morgan Hospital and Athens-Limestone Hospital, will welcome more than 1,200 first-graders from surrounding schools to the main campus in Decatur for Let’s Pretend Hospital. This immersive educational experience, organized by Calhoun’s Nursing and Allied Health departments, will take place from April 9th to April 12th, 2024, running from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day in the Health Sciences Building.
Kenneth Kirkland, Dean of Calhoun’s Health Sciences Division, emphasized the collaborative effort behind Let’s Pretend Hospital. “This annual project gives Calhoun’s Nursing and Allied Health departments the opportunity to partner with two of our largest nursing employers, Decatur Morgan Hospital and Athens-Limestone Hospital. It also gives our students first-hand experience developing creative teaching methods and observing normal growth and development of first-graders,” commented Kirkland.
The Let’s Pretend Hospital event offers first-graders an engaging and age-appropriate introduction to various aspects of healthcare. Through interactive activities and tours of simulated hospital environments, students will gain insight into the workings of emergency rooms, operating rooms, laboratories, and more. Led by Calhoun nursing students and faculty, the event aims to spark interest in healthcare careers while providing valuable health education.
“This is such a wonderful event for school children in our area, I personally look forward to hosting it each year,” said Calhoun President Dr. Jimmy Hodges. “This collaborative effort not only provides valuable education to our community’s young minds but also showcases the dedication and expertise of our nursing and allied health programs. This event embodies Calhoun’s commitment to serving our community and hopefully we are inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals.”
Students from public and private schools in Athens, Decatur, Limestone, and Morgan Counties participate in the annual event. The itinerary includes visits to simulated hospital departments such as the emergency room, patient rooms, operating rooms, and laboratory facilities, offering students a comprehensive understanding of hospital operations.
Let’s Pretend Hospital will take place in Calhoun’s state-of-the-art Health Sciences Center on the Decatur campus, offering a conducive environment for interactive learning. With months of planning and preparation invested by students and faculty, the event will deliver an enriching experience for both participants and organizers alike.