"Archie" Bears Bring Comfort to Pediatric Surgery Patients at Archbold

Archbold treats thousands of patients in its surgical department each year, including approximately 250 children. For many children, surgery can be an experience associated with fear, anxiety and emotional distress. A new partnership between the Archbold Auxiliary volunteer organization and the Archbold Surgical Department is bringing comfort to these patients when they need it most.

Pediatric surgery patients at Archbold now receive a stuffed bear to provide emotional support prior to their surgery. Each bear, appropriately named “Archie,” is funded by a donation from the Archbold Auxiliary. Kelly Durrant, RN, BSN, works as Assistant Nurse Manager of Surgical Services at Archbold Memorial and leads the project.

“Research supports the use of non-pharmacological comfort interventions, such as therapeutic play and comfort objects, to reduce anxiety and improve coping in pediatric patients,” Durrant shared. “When children receive the stuffed animal prior to surgery, it provides emotional comfort throughout their time at Archbold and even after they return home.”

Each Archie bear is dressed in a custom blue Archbold shirt, matching the blue uniforms of the Archbold Auxiliary and Archbold’s surgical staff. The Auxiliary has committed to funding the project for the remainder of the year.

“We are proud to partner with the nursing staff in Surgery to implement this program,” shared Bonnie Hayes, Director of Volunteer Services at Archbold. “Our team of volunteers always strives to ensure each patient and visitor is treated with compassion at Archbold. We’re happy to welcome Archie, the newest member of our team, who will help share that compassion with our smallest patients.”

Pictured, Left to right: Shirley Deya, RN Team Lead ENT; Volunteer Julia Sawyer; Jordan Lamb, CST Team Lead ENT; Kelly Durrant, RN Assistant Nurse Manager; Volunteer Harriett Walden; Pat Jones, Archbold Auxiliary President; and Bonnie Hayes, Director of Volunteer Services.