Recently Sound Shore Medical Center (SSMC) Children’s Medical Group Reach Out and Read Program (ROR) had a distinguished visitor and guest reader, New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer. This much-anticipated event was part of the ongoing celebrations in recognition of the Program’s 10th anniversary at SSMC.

Senator Oppenheimer is a long-time supporter of education. In fact, she chairs the State’s Education Committee and has served on the Reach Out and Read of Greater New York’s Advisory Board since its inception in 1999. The prescription going home with each patient of SSMC’s Children’s Medical Group is “read aloud to your children” – and Senator Oppenheimer “following doctors orders” did just that to a packed audience of pre-school children and parents. Commenting on her visit, she said, “Being here today brings back so many fond memories of reading aloud to my four children. The ability to read and comprehend is fundamental to a child’s success in school and in life. That’s why I’m so proud of my long association with the Reach Out and Read Program, which enlists the support of physicians and hospitals to impart a lifelong love of reading in our young children.” >/p?

Senators Oppenheimer’s visit included meeting physicians, nurses and Program administrator, Daniel Pomerantz, MD as well as the director of the Department of Medicine, Stephen Jesmajian, MD. In addition, it included a tour of the Children’s Medical Group offices, located in the Goldstein Pavilion at SSMC.

More than ten years ago Margaret Levitt, MD, a pediatrician in the Pediatric Ambulatory Department at Sound Shore Medical Center, won the enthusiastic support of administration to incorporate a literary program into SSMC’s Pediatric Ambulatory Services. Now the promotion of literacy is a standard part of every six month to five year olds’ well-child, check-up. Starting a visit with an age-appropriate book instead of a stethoscope helps physicians bond with their patients and allows them to gauge the child’s development.

Doctors and nurses also encourage parents to read aloud to their young children and offer tips and encouragement. At the end of the doctor’s visit, the book is given to the child to keep. Speaking about ROR, Dr. Levitt said, “This year Sound Shore Medical Center is celebrating our 10th Anniversary with the Reach Out and Read Program. Our goal is to distribute beautiful books to our patients and encourage our parents to read to their children. It is a daily pleasure to see a child’s smile when a book is given.”

“Our participation in the Reach Out and Read Program has been very positive”, commented John R. Spicer, President and CEO of Sound Shore Medical Center. He continued, “We look at the whole person and consider this Program vital to the overall development and well being of our youngest patients.”

In addition, the waiting rooms are literacy rich environments and often feature volunteer readers. SSMC’s successful literacy advocacy continues through Dr. Levitt’s dedication and the commitment and support of the entire Children’s Medical Group staff. This team is a powerful weapon in the promotion of literacy as part of a child’s overall wellbeing.