February 02, 2005

GMC Illini Campus To Host Boy Scout Merit Badge Clinic

Silvis, IL – Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, will help Quad City-area Boy Scouts earn first aid and medicine merit badges during the 3rd Annual Illowa Council First Aid and Medicine Merit Badge Clinic on Saturday, Feb. 26.

The clinic will be held from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Larson Center, 855 Illini Drive in Silvis.

The day-long clinic will train and test Scouts from Clinton, Muscatine, Rock Falls and the Quad Cities on how to recognize and treat medical conditions, such as burns, frostbite, broken bones, severe lacerations and heart attacks.  The Scouts also will learn basic CPR and receive other information necessary to meet the requirements of the first aid badge. The medicine badge will introduce Scouts to the medical field, including background in medical training.

Several Genesis physicians and employees will lead the clinic and provide hands-on training and education.  “First aid is something everyone should know,” said Benjamin Van Raalte, M.D., medical coordinator of the merit badge clinic.  “It’s necessary for our Scouts to have the knowledge on how to recognize medical dangers, remain calm and provide basic treatment when they are faced with what can be a life-altering experience.”

Interested Scouts must register in advance through the Illowa Council Scout Office at 563-388-7233, toll free at 888-825-2563 or visit the Illowa Council’s Web site, www.illowabsa.org.