The hallways of Stockton University’s West Quad were filled with the sounds of laughter and play on April 6 as the School of Health Sciences hosted its annual Baby Day. The interprofessional training event brought together 120 students and roughly 20 infants and toddlers for a morning of unconventional, hands-on learning.
The event is a cornerstone of the Health Sciences curriculum, requiring students from Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Communication Disorders to step out of the classroom and into a real-world clinical environment—one where the “patients” are unpredictable toddlers.
To simulate the collaborative nature of modern healthcare, students were organized into mixed-discipline teams. Before the children arrived, these groups had 30 minutes to develop a shared strategy for engagement and caregiver interviews.
“The health professions are interprofessional,” said Lauren DelRossi, an associate professor of Physical Therapy. “It prepares them for future practice. It teaches development and also how to work as a team.”
Faculty members remained in the rooms to offer support, but the leadership was left entirely to the students. Over two one-hour sessions, student teams practiced building trust with families and recognizing key developmental milestones in children aged newborn to 3 years.
For many participants, the most valuable takeaway wasn’t found in a textbook, but in the necessity of improvisation.
Ruth Kilasi, a Nursing junior from Little Egg Harbor Township, noted that the lack of prior information about her assigned child forced her to adapt on the fly. “Prepare for what you don’t know,” Kilasi reflected. “I’ve been learning to be calm, just go with the flow—and it makes things a lot easier.”
Mary Kientz, Occupational Therapy program director, added that even when families cancel or schedules shift, the disruption creates a “teachable moment” that builds student confidence.
This year’s Baby Day featured a strong showing of Stockton alumni who returned to campus as parents and caregivers. For these professionals, the event was a full-circle moment.
- Sarah Citro (DPT ’20): Brought her son, Luca, noting that the event helps students confirm their career paths. “Some people go their entire college career without interacting with a child… how do you know if you truly want to go into this career?”
- Catherine Richmond (OT ’09): Now a certified hand therapist, Richmond returned with her baby and praised the students’ creativity. “They all bring something different to the table,” she said.
