04/01/2026
Plush Mobile Clinic Overview
A teddy bear clinic provides young children with the full emergency room experience with the plush friend as the patient. This process allows children to become more familiar with the medical environment and more comfortable when they are patients themselves. The target age group for the teddy bear clinic is 3-6; however, children as young as toddlers can participate in sessions adapted to their developmental level.
The Plush Mobile Clinic is based out of Mechanicsville, Virginia and provides services to the Greater Richmond area including the counties of New Kent, Hanover, Chesterfield, King William, Henrico and Caroline. If your organization is further away and would like to host a clinic, minimum participation numbers or a travel fee may apply. Please contact Plush Mobile Clinic for details.
About the program
At each clinic, all hands on equipment is provided (except for the plush friends, children will need to bring their own stuffed animal from home) and the participants get to interact with real items commonly found in doctorsâ offices and hospitals. The children have hands on experiences with multiple common hospital situations where they learn to do an âexaminationâ and perform lab tests, X-rays, and so much more! Instruction is led by Nurse Laurie, a licensed Registered Nurse with a decade of experience teaching preschoolers about the hospital!
The clinic runs in groups of about 10-12 (no more than 20) at a time and each group takes approximately 60-90 minutes. Multiple visits can be scheduled at your location if needed to accommodate larger groups. Please let Nurse Laurie know of any scheduling concerns at the time of booking.
Proof of liability insurance and nursing licensure is available upon request. Nursing licensure information is also available online through the Virginia Department of Health Professionals.
Requirements
The standard cost of the clinic for June 2026 - May 2027 is $8.50/child. There is a minimum charge of $125 per day. All sessions booked back-to-back on the same day add up to avoid this minimum charge. A discounted rate is available for younger children for a shorter program that is more appropriate for the age and attention span. Two-year old classes are $6.50 per student (session runs for 30 minutes max 10 kids) and toddlers are $4.50 (program runs 20 minutes, max 10 kids and two teachers will need to be in attendance).
Children should bring a stuffed animal from home on the day of the clinic. There are âextra friendsâ for children who do not have a stuffed animal with them and when possible, the child may keep their new friend.
A teacher will need to stay with the class to assist with behavior management and will need to spell the names of the kids in the class.
Sessions will need a room to set up the clinic in as well as 3-4 long tables. Two chairs are also much appreciated! If you are unable to provide tables, please let Nurse Laurie know as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. Nurse Laurie will need to have access to this room at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the clinic in order to set up.
About the instructor
Laurie Uzukwu has been a registered nurse since 2008 and a mom since 2012. After 10 years of practice in the ER, ICU & other inpatient hospital units, she now uses her experiences as a nurse and a mother to educate children in topics related to health and wellness. She began developing the Teddy Bear Clinic Program used by the Plush Mobile Clinic in 2016 while her children were attending Gingerbread Cottage Preschool in Mechanicsville, VA. Nurse Laurie also holds a bachelorâs degree in psychology from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) where she graduated summa cm laude and was a member of the Marching Virginians. Nurse Laurie also works full time in home health, so please be patient when awaiting email replies as it may take a day or two!
Need more information? Check out Plush Mobile Clinic on Facebook for photos and videos! And you can always give me a call or send an email with your questions or to schedule your Teddy Bear Clinic!
Laurie Uzukwu, RN
Plush Mobile Clinic
(540) 521-6544
[email protected]
