Kids clinic

GRAFTON, N.D. - "We're going to take some X-rays on his tummy and put a splint on his arm," Dr. Samuel Omotunde told the concerned guardian of the patient.

Logan Ferguson, the 5-year-old guardian, nodded.

"Where should we do it? In the minor room?" the attending nurse asked solemnly.

"Yes, we can do it in the minor surgery room," Omotunde said, gently touching the hairy and small patient, who quietly was lying on the stretcher.

The patient is Logan's toy tiger, and Logan wanted to bring him for a checkup for a broken arm. Unity Medical Center Clinic hosted an event Tuesday to familiarize children with the exam procedure so they can feel less afraid of doctors and the hospital. The children were encouraged to bring toys and stuffed animals for a checkup. About 40 children attended the event.

The staff and two clowns, who constantly produced all kinds of shapes, even poodles out of balloons, welcomed the children in the lounge.

"When the kids think of doctors and hospitals, they usually think of shots and get scared," Omotunde said.

Omotunde has worked for the clinic about 18 years. He said Tuesday's gathering hopefully would make the children feel less scared of medical procedures and help them feel comfortable in communicating with doctors.

Drinks and cookies were there for the children in the lounge, and they all received coloring supplies, pencils and stickers - along with information on immunization.

"It's fun," said Omotunde, who wore a colorful balloon hat.

"When the clown asked me if I wanted a hat, I said I like proper decorum," Omotunde said, touching his hat with a childlike smile. "And that's how I got this hat."

In another exam room, Dr. Josh Omotunde, Samuel Omotunde's younger brother, was examining a girl and her doll.

"Is she eating well?" Omotunde asked 7-year-old Sarah Burns of Grafton about her doll, Emily.

Sarah said that Emily is 2 years old and seemed to have a cold.

Josh Omotunde examined Emily's heartbeat and measured her temperature, and he said the doll seemed all right.

"But just in case, we will give her some medicine," he told Sarah, who was holding her Emily dearly.

In the hall, a group of patients were called to see the doctor.

"Emma and Baby, Grace and Sarah, follow me, please," a nurse said to two girls, who each were holding a baby doll.

"Her eyes are so pretty, and they are blue," Sam Omotunde said, holding Grace's doll, Sarah.

After the dolls of 3-year-old Grace Narloch and her 16-month-old sister, Emma, successfully went through the checkup, both got candies from the doctor.

"This is a great experience for the kids that hospitals are a not scary place," said the girls' mother, Heather Narloch of Minto, N.D. "It's a fun way to do that."

All right now

Logan, whose stuffed tiger had to wear a cotton bandage splint on its right arm, wasn't satisfied after the surgery.

"He (the doctor) didn't do anything on his right leg," Logan said, pointing to the right leg of the stuffed animal, which was torn apart.

"But Logan, you said it's his right arm that hurt in the exam room," his mother said, laughing.

Nurse Sheila Trontvet seemed to have examined the most serious toy patients.

"I had one doll that was puking, according to the girl," Trontvet said. "Also, a bear who 'injured himself' and had soar paw and ribs and a heartburn"

Trontvet took some X-rays of the injured bear and gave some fluids for the doll.

"It seemed like she must have had stomach flu or gastritis," the registered nurse diagnosed.