BFMC to Present Children’s Health-information Program

GREENFIELD — Representatives of Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC) will present the Blood and Guts program on Friday, Oct. 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Erving Elementary School, 28 Northfield Road in Erving, as part of the hospital’s continuing educational outreach to children and families through Franklin County schools and libraries.

Erving Elementary School’s sixth-grade class will sponsor the event. Students, families, and friends are invited to attend this free program. Refreshments will be available.

Blood and Guts is a hands-on science learning experience in which participants visit several stations, each representing a different aspect of healthcare. Students can look at actual X-rays, touch human bones, test their hand-washing skills, learn about healthy eating, and complete many other fun learning activities.

Blood and Guts was designed to give students a greater understanding of human anatomy, lessen their fears about hospitals and healthcare, and introduce them to the many career opportunities available in healthcare. It also encourages students to further explore the science resources available at their public or school library.

BFMC staff, with assistance from students at two local community colleges, have been running Blood and Guts programs for 11 years. Through the Building Bridges Community Partnerships Program, Greenfield Community College nursing students help set up exhibits and assist where needed at the various stations. Also helping with the program are radiologic technology students from Holyoke Community College.

“It’s always fun to see how totally involved everyone gets — from the children to their parents, even our own staff,” said coordinator Beth Palmquist, clinical instructor for BFMC’s Radiology/Imaging Department. “The parents get right in there with their kids on all the hands-on activities.”

For more information on the Blood and Guts program, contact Palmquist at (413) 773-2105 or beth.palmquist@baystatehealth.org.