Donations allow for expansion of Reach Out and Read program

Each year donations to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger are used to promote the health and well-being of local children through equipment, services and programs. One such program that contributes to the success of infants is the Reach Out and Read program, which promotes early literacy, family bonding, verbal skills and school readiness for pre-K children.

This year, in an effort to expand the program, donations to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger were used to implement the Reach Out and Read program at many Geisinger pediatric locations. The program provides age-appropriate books that doctors give to patients during pediatric well visits starting at 6 months of age, helping families build home libraries. The books also give the children something to look forward to during their doctor visits.

“I have seen the children in our practice really respond well to the program,” said Jamian Ryan, DO, general pediatrician at Geisinger Hanover Street in Wilkes-Barre. “Parents tell me how much their children enjoy getting a book every visit and it gives the parents a healthy way to interact with their children.”

Brooke Dismukes, MD, pediatrician at Geisinger Lewistown, is excited to get the program up and running at the clinic after having great experiences working with Reach Out and Read in other communities.

“The program provides a chance to talk to parents about how reading aloud and engaging with their child can support brain development and provide a foundation of success. We can promote parents as the child’s first and most important teacher,” she said. “Children with such backgrounds have preschool language development improved by 3 to 6 months and a nurturing, language-rich environment at home.”

Ask your pediatrician about the Reach Out and Read program and make a donation to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger to help support this program and others at Geisinger pediatric locations.