Published on January 14, 2011
Genesis Medical Center Hosts Annual Boy Scout Merit Badge Day
More than 100 Boy Scouts from Iowa and Illinois will work with health professionals to earn their first aid merit badges at the 9th annual Illowa Council Merit Badge Clinic on Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Genesis Heart Institute and Genesis Medical Center.
The Merit Badge clinic will be held from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 E. Rusholme St., Davenport.
The day-long clinic will train and test Scouts on how to recognize and initiate treatment of conditions, such as burns, frostbite, broken bones and severe lacerations. The Scouts also will learn basic CPR and receive other information necessary to meet the requirements of the first aid badge.
There will be opportunities for Scouts to see state-of-the-art first aid and resuscitation equipment. Most of the instructors will be EMTs, nurses, respiratory, laboratory and radiology staff and physicians.
Also this year, the dentistry merit badge will be available. Dr. Robert Byrum, Dr. Bob Blew and Dr. Mindy Hochgesang have volunteered their services to work with Scouts on the dentistry badge.
“Genesis always looks forward to hosting this very popular day for Scouts. It is a great opportunity for Scouts to work on merit badges and get exposure to the healthcare industry," said Doug Cropper, President and CEO of Genesis Health System and an Eagle Scout. “This event is also enjoyable for the health care professionals and other volunteers who make the event possible.
"Hopefully some of the Scouts who participate will one day be interested in pursuing a career in a health-related field and they will come back to Genesis as employees.”
“This is a great opportunity for Scouts to be introduced to health care in a clinical setting with the help of volunteers who donate their time each year for this event," said Dr. Benjamin Van Raalte, one of the organizers of the event.
Interested Scouts must register in advance through the Illowa Council Scout Office at (563) 388-7233 or visit the Illowa Council’s Web site, www.illowabsa.org.
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