Clinch Valley Health’s Crystal Keen MSOTR/L CLT at Tazewell County Public Library’s solar eclipse viewing event this week.

Millions of people watched the solar eclipse Monday and participated in viewing events, as it traveled across the United States. This included Clinch Valley Health’s Crystal Keen MSOTR/L CLT who was onsite at Critterville Park in Richlands as part of Tazewell County Public Library’s solar eclipse viewing event. Keen had a Clinch Valley Health Outpatient Pediatric Therapy table set up at Critterville Park during the afternoon event. Keen and other event goers were able to experience the eclipse with their family, friends and community members while also getting a science lesson in the process.

Keen assisted attendees in completing interactive sheets allowing kids and adults to document the phases of the eclipse as well as wildlife and climate changes. Everyone enjoyed gazing at the sky through eclipse glasses and a telescope provided by Gavin Litrell with members of the Richlands High School Science Club. Friends of the Library had a fully stocked Little Library as well as toys and pencils to pass out to event goers.
Keen said, “Although there was cloud coverage today, glimpses and giggles at the park helped push the clouds aside to allow for prime viewing of the eclipse at its peak today. It is so rewarding to participate in community events especially those focused on kids’ growth and learning.”

Keen’s colleagues at Clinch Valley Health shared that she had been talking with her pediatric occupational therapy patients for weeks about the solar eclipse. They said Keen was really getting the children excited about getting to experience this scientific event and encouraging them to do their own research.

Clinch Valley Health’s Outpatient Pediatric Therapy supplied astronomy themed snacks like Sunchips, Moonpies and Milkyway candy bars. Crystal Keen is an occupational therapist at Clinch Valley Health in Richlands, Virginia.