All in a Day's Work as Children Explore Bayonne Medical Center

April 23, 2004 -- It's not every day that you see a group of forty children, all proudly sporting similar-looking finger splints, happily volunteering to walk backwards on a balancing beam. In recognition of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day, physicians and employees at Bayonne Medical Center had the opportunity to share aspects of their work environment with their children.

"This unique learning experience gave children a chance to witness the working world, while broadening their understanding of their career options," said Robert H. Evans, president and CEO, whose youngest son spent the day at Bayonne Medical Center. "It also provided them with valuable insight into how the skills they are learning in school, can one day be applied in the workplace."

The children were entertained, stimulated and educated with guided tours through the Laboratory and Radiology departments, and a multitude of other age-appropriate activities: from practicing their balancing acts in the Physical Therapy department to being allowed to play with their food (to make learning about nutrition a little more fun).

The interactive nature of the activities hit the often-unattainable mark of successful participation with excited exclamations of "I can do that!", "Let me try!" and "My turn!" Without many of the children realizing it, they learned about more than eating right, being a good babysitter, the seven characteristics of an effective teenager, and how splints and casts are made that would support a sprained or broken finger. The children were given a glimpse into the healthcare environment that may someday impact their career choices.

A dozen students from the School of Radiology volunteered to escort the children from one exciting venue in the medical center to the next, taking the spontaneous questions, unscheduled bathroom breaks and newfound responsibility as role models in stride.

After more than seven hours in the company of children, it was time for the Radiology students to call it a day. If the students' energized conversations were any measure; everyone learned more than they had signed up for.

Andrea Hein, OTR, Registered Occupational Therapist of Bayonne Medical Center's Therapy Services department, explains to Tyshona Dutton how finger splints are made, molded and fitted. Tyshona's mother, Lashon Dutton, is an admitting clerk in the Admitting department at Bayonne Medical Center.

Alexandra Terron-Wepner does a balancing act under the watchful eye of Trish Enes, physical therapy aide of Therapy Services. Alexandra's mother, Irma Terron-Wepner, LCSW, director of Behavioral Health at Bayonne Medical Center, presented an informative lecture, "The Seven Characteristics of Highly Effective Teens," to help young adults reach their potential.

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