Community & Business
28 August, 2026
Teddies bring students together
RURAL placement students from James Cook University have helped to break down fears around healthcare through a hands-on program bringing teddy bears and medicine together in Atherton.
The JCU Medical Student Association initiative saw students visit the C & K Atherton Community Kindergarten during their recent rural placement, delivering free interactive health education sessions designed to help children feel more comfortable around doctors, hospitals and healthcare settings.
Across two days, 88 children rotated through a series of hands-on learning stations focused on healthy eating, exercise, bones and body health, while also learning about what happens in hospitals and healthcare environments.
There were plenty of smiles and curious questions as children checked teddy bears, explored healthy habits and spoke with the future healthcare professionals.
The program was delivered by Year 6 medical students Taylor Duncan and Jada Zammit, Year 4 medical students Daniel Brinkmann and Jenisha Abraham, and occupational therapy student Abigail Cenoni, with support from JCU Rural Student Coordinator Liz Glaspy.
C & K Atherton Comm-unity Kindergarten director Nicole Poggioli praised the students’ ability to engage children across all activities, describing the response from students as overwhelmingly positive.
The success of the sessions has sparked plans for future Teddy Bear Hospital visits involving upcoming cohorts of JCU students completing rural placements in the region.
