Clay County Medical Center hosted 95 kindergarten students and their teachers for the annual Teddy Bear Clinic on May 8, 2015.

The program, which began in 2006, was designed to ease apprehension in children when visiting the hospital by creating a fun and inviting environment. The clinic "admits" teddy bears to the hospital, and through the use of play therapy, the children use their imaginations in describing mock injuries or illnesses of their teddy bears.

CCMC employees dressed up in beach wear served as tour guides and the children was divided up into two groups to tour the Emergency Room, Radiology, and the Mark A. Chapman Wellness Center. In the ER got to see an octopus being examined with a stethoscope and the kids got to learn more about the equipment being used. While in Radiology each of the kids got to see images of x-rays and learn not to swallow things or put things in their mouth that can be harmful to them. In the Wellness Center decorated in a Splish, Splash, Kindergarten Bash theme, the kids got to do an exercise game with a story about swim safety.

All students, teachers, and tour guides enjoyed a BBQ courtesy of Twin Valley, Clay County Medical Center, Ray's Apple Market, Kier's Thriftway, and the Parks Department. Twin Valley employees grilled the hot dogs and the hospital staff served the kids. In the spirit of its grand opening, the Clay County Aquatic Park has generously donated 12 one-day passes. Clay County Medical Center's CEO Austin M. Gillard, MHA, drew the lucky winners and handed out the passes.