Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, Elmira, NY
Adopt-a-School

What is it?
An educational program consisting of presentations that are scheduled in each school for a 40-minute period once a month from October through March. Topics scheduled during the school year are infection control (kindergarten), persons with disabilities: physical therapy (first grade), rehab: persons with disabilities: occupational therapy (second grade), nutrition (third grade), dangers of smoking (fourth grade), and first aid (fifth grade). Each student in the class completes a community service project correlating to the presentation.

Who is it for?
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at three local schools: Fassett Elementary School, Thomas K. Beecher Elementary School, and Holy Family Primary and Intermediate Schools.

How do they do it?
There has been no outside funding. The hospital provides staff who go into the schools to conduct the educational sessions.

Why do they do it?
St. Joseph's Hospital began its Adopt-A-School Program in 1991 in response to an expressed desire from area schools for health care programs. Topics are chosen based on needs and issues the schools feel are important to address. 

Contact: Teresa Fletcher
Public Relations/Community Development Coordinator
Telephone: 607-737-7810
E-mail: tfletcher@stjosephs.org