Is your child having surgery soon? Gundersen Lutheran's Teddy Bear Care Pre-Admission Tour Program introduces your child to the sights and sounds of the hospital before he or she comes in for surgery in our Outpatient Surgery Center. The goal of the program is to decrease anxiety and increase your child’s understanding about what will happen the day of surgery.
The Teddy Bear Care Program is run by a Child Life Specialist and provided for children 4 to 12-years-old and their parents (tours for families with children younger or older may be possible so please ask).
The tour includes:
- A walking-tour of the Outpatient Surgery Area and Family Waiting Area or a photo tour of the surgery area in the main Hospital.
- An opportunity to see the medical equipment they will see on the day of surgery.
- Time for parents and children to ask questions about upcoming surgery.
- A teddy bear for each child, as well as a certificate saying they completed the program, a goody bag, and some hospital supplies to play with in order to prepare for their upcoming surgery.
Tours are available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. If your child has a pre-operative appointment with their surgeon before the day of surgery, you may be able to schedule a tour time before or after that appointment. To schedule a tour, please call our Certified Child Life Specialist, Rachael Kaiser, at (608) 775-3363 or fill out the form below.