March 12, 1999

Children will flock to the MGH HealthCare Everywhere Fair March 18 to have fun as they learn about health and safety. Featuring subjects from nutrition to bike helmets, the more than 30 interactive booths will be staffed by MGHers and students from the Timilty Middle School.

Highlights will include such guests as Smoke-Free Ted – a Panda bear with a race car – and Sesame Street's Elmo. Children will have the opportunity to investigate the Boston Fire Department's mobile "Fire Safety House," care for "patients" at a teddy bear clinic and explore their own emotions on the imaginary "Feelings Train."

The event will run from 9 am to 1 pm and 3 to 6 pm, in the MGH Bulfinch Tent. (In the case of bad weather, the fair will move to the Wellman Conference Room.) Singer Livingston Taylor will star in a sold-out concert at 6:30 pm in the O'Keeffe Auditorium.

The health fair is just one of the many activities and programs focusing on child and adolescent health that will take place during MGH's Children and HealthCare Week March 15 to 19.

The following activities and events are scheduled for the week:
The "MGH Pediatric Art Fair," featuring artwork by children of MGH employees, children from the community and pediatric patients, will be on display in the Main Corridor. MGHers are encouraged to stop by and vote for their favorite drawing. Submissions will be accepted through March 15. For information, call Kara Levoshko at 4-5810.

"Parents and Professionals: A Natural Partnership in Pediatrics" will be held March 15, 8 am to 4:30 pm, in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. Admission is free for MGH employees, $25 for Partners employees, parents and students and $60 for all others. To register, call 6-3111.

A Grand Rounds entitled "Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatrics" will take place March 17, at noon, in the O'Keeffe Auditorium.

The MGH will be on "Hurt Alert" March 17. Throughout the day, pediatric specialists will give 10-minute presentations in the hospital's pediatric areas about controlling pain. In addition, "Graffiti Walls" on which children and adults may draw or write about their coping strategies for managing pain, will be placed throughout inpatient and outpatient areas of the hospital. For more information, call 4-5720.

Recipients of The Family-Centered Care Awards will be recognized at the "Celebrate Us" reception March 19, 2 to 4 pm, in the Ellison 17 Conference Room.

For general questions about Children and HealthCare Week, call 4-KIDS (4-5437).

At last year's HealthCare Everywhere Fair, Eileen Kelleher, left, and Catherine Corvene touch a Jello brain as they learn how the real organ works.