A nationwide childhood literacy program is making its way across Samaritan Health Services after starting in Lebanon in 2008.
Through the Reach Out and Read program, young patients at Samaritan Mid-Valley Pediatrics in Lebanon receive a new children’s book when they come in for a well-child appointment.
“I was not expecting it,” said Kippy Garrels of Lebanon, whose 5-year-old daughter Nina received a book upon a visit earlier this month. “It’s a wonderful program. You can never have enough books.”
Garrels said that her daughter received a new book last year at the clinic as well, “and we read it over and over. It’s one of our favorites.”
Sarah McKay of Sweet Home, whose 1-year-old daughter Lizzie received a book earlier this month, agreed. “Any time you can encourage kids to read, it’s really good for them. I think this is a great program.”
Reach Out and Read is a nationwide program that provides age-appropriate books to children ages 6 months to 5 years at their “well-child” visits. Studies show that, because of the unique relationship between parents, children and health care providers, families served by Reach Out and Read enjoy books together more often. As a result, children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills and, on average, a six-month developmental edge over their peers.
The Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation began funding Reach Out and Read in 2008. Since then, the foundation, as well as providers and members of the clinic staff of Mid-Valley Pediatrics, have contributed nearly $12,000 toward Reach Out and Read. The clinic has purchased 1,860 books with those designated funds.
“Prior to Reach out and Read, I used to collect ‘nearly new’ books and keep them in my office for distribution to those in need, or who did not want a toy,” said Dr. Dana Kosmala, the senior pediatrician at Mid-Valley Pediatrics. “My patients appreciated it so much that when we heard about Reach Out and Read, I wanted to jump on the train and join this project.”
Kosmala’s two partners at the clinic – Drs. Rich Ames and Christi Davis – also champion the program.
“What makes Reach Out and Read so valuable is, it encourages parents to read with their children,” Davis said. “We enjoy having this program at the clinic.”
“The kids love getting the books, and it reminds the parents to spend the time reading with them,” Ames said. “Everyone is so busy these days it’s easy to forget to read or put it off, but is really important for children to be exposed to books and reading early.”
Kosmala said the clinic is also applying to participate in a new Reach Out and Read quality improvement measure to make the program stronger, more efficient, and to encourage parents to read to their children for 20 minutes at least five times a week.
For more information about Reach Out and Read at Samaritan Mid-Valley Pediatrics, call the clinic at (541) 451-7820. For information about contributing to the program, call the Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation at (541) 451-6303.