Inova Loudoun Hospital to host Teddy Bear Clinic for children

Leesburg, VA — Inova Loudoun Hospital is excited to announce its upcoming Teddy Bear Clinic, a special community event designed to familiarize children with the hospital environment in a fun and engaging way. The event will take place on Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the North Entrance hallway near the Riverside Gift Shop.

This in-person event aims to help children ages 3 to 8 (though children of all ages are welcome) overcome common fears and anxieties associated with hospitals and medical procedures. The event is being held in honor of Child Life Specialist Month, recognizing the important work child life specialists do to support children and families during healthcare experiences. By offering a positive and interactive healthcare experience, the Teddy Bear Clinic introduces kids to medical equipment and processes in a friendly setting—turning what might otherwise be a stressful experience into an enjoyable one.

Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals or teddy bears to “check in” at the clinic. With the help of hospital team members, these stuffed patients will go through a series of medical experiences including “registration,” vitals checks, shots/IV, sutures, x-ray and more. The goal is to create a safe, stress-free atmosphere where children can ask questions and learn about healthcare in a hands-on way. For those without a stuffed friend, free teddy bears will be available so everyone can take part in the fun!

“The Teddy Bear Clinic gives children the chance to explore the hospital in a playful, empowering way,” said Emily Phipps, BS, Child Life Specialist at Inova Loudoun Hospital. “When kids can practice on their favorite stuffed animal, it helps replace fear with confidence—and that makes a lasting difference for families.”

The Teddy Bear Clinic is free to attend, and families are encouraged to bring their preschool- and school-aged children. RSVP is requested so there are enough teddy bears for everyone. Please RSVP to ILHChildLife@Inova.org and include the number of children that will attend.

Media contact: Renee Brohard, APR, 540-454-3493

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About Inova

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than one million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed four million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.

Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 25,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About Inova Loudoun Hospital

Founded in 1912, Inova Loudoun Hospital is a 211-bed nationally recognized hospital committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for the entire family.  Inova Loudoun Hospital is ranked among the top hospitals in the country for nursing excellence, emergency care services, and patient safety. Inova Loudoun Hospital is also a Joint Commission Center of Excellence for Hip and Knee Replacement, Perinatal Care, Spinal Surgery, and Stroke Care.

Inova Loudoun Hospital offers family-centered care with its children’s emergency room, children’s inpatient unit and NICU, and is home to Loudoun County’s only designated trauma center. Inova Loudoun Hospital’s two additional 24/7 free-standing emergency rooms (ERs), located in Ashburn and Leesburg, are Joint Commission Certified Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals (ASRH).