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Grade 11 students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s Parenting/Raising Healthy Children class had a memorable visit to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) Maternity Unit on December 18th. The trip offered students an exciting and immersive way to learn about parenting, healthcare careers, and the realities of childbirth.
The morning began in the Training Centre Classroom, where students met with Shallyn Kocis, a Maternal Newborn Unit RN. They explored various healthcare careers, co-op opportunities at the hospital, and what to expect during labour and delivery. This engaging session highlighted the collaborative effort it takes to bring new life into the world and the diverse roles of healthcare professionals in a maternity ward.
Afterward, students participated in hands-on activities, practicing diapering, swaddling, and even some fun games before splitting into smaller groups to visit the hospital’s Maternity Unit. Here, they met “Annie,” LWDH’s advanced birthing simulator, representing a full-term pregnant adult woman. With the help of hospital staff, the students assisted in “Annie’s” simulated delivery, taking on roles such as a support person, nurse, physician, and even a shocked onlooker! Annie/Simmom’s dynamic programming allowed students to experience realistic clinical interventions and scenarios.
The visit not only brought their classroom lessons to life but also inspired students to consider healthcare careers. One student expressed interest in pursuing a co-op placement with the LWDH Maternity Unit, a testament to the power of this hands-on learning experience.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School extends heartfelt thanks to LWDH staff, including Shallyn Kocis and the Strategy & Innovation Department’s Riley Richards and Jaime Peters, for organizing this exceptional opportunity. The school is proud to partner with LWDH to inspire and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.