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Ochsner Health Center – St. Bernard Promotes Reading Through the Reach Out and Read Program

Ochsner Health Center – St. Bernard Promotes Reading Through the Reach Out and Read Program

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Pediatricians at Ochsner Health Center – St. Bernard are introducing their patients to reading beginning at six months old through participation in the national Reach Out and Read program. The American Academy of Pediatrics cites literacy promotion as an essential component of pediatric care, and the Reach Out and Read program supports families of all backgrounds and economic means.

During well-child checkup visits, pediatricians Pamela Musacchia, MD and Lissa Gates, MD, discuss the benefits of interactively reading aloud to children with parents and caregivers. Additionally, they provide literary guidance explaining the importance of reading as children grow. Studies have shown reading impacts early development and strengthens family bonds by reading together. At each well visit through the age of five, children are given a developmentally appropriate book building up their at-home library to about eight or 10 books by the time they are in kindergarten.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to participate in the Reach Out and Read program. Through reading, children learn new skills, broaden their imagination, and improve language ability preparing them for school in the future. I enjoy being able to equip families with the knowledge and patients with the books for reading success," said Dr. Musacchia, pediatrician, Ochsner Health Center – St. Bernard.

According to Reach Out and Read, well appointments are more likely to be attended by those seeing a physician participating in the program resulting in improved health outcomes for children, including vaccine compliance. This is the first year Ochsner Health Center – St. Bernard is participating as a program site and hopes to help patients create positive emotional and mental foundations leading to a love of reading and books.

“Having the opportunity to participate as a Reach Out and Read program site compliments the quality of care offered to our smallest patients and their families. Supporting patients in all facets of care is part of our values of putting patients first in everything we do. By simply providing books and support, we can inspire healthier lives in hopes of building a stronger community,” said Lani Fast, chief executive officer, St. Bernard Parish Hospital.

St. Bernard Parish Hospital is owned by the Hospital Service District of the Parish of St. Bernard, State of Louisiana, a political subdivision of the State, and managed by Ochsner Health.Since November 2017 when the partnership with Ochsner Health was finalized, SBPH has increased specialty care offerings, significantly improved quality, implemented telehealth platforms and acted as a health and wellness community leader through numerous outreach programs.

For more information about St. Bernard Parish Hospital, visit www.ochsner.org/sbph and to make an appointment for your child with Dr. Musacchia or Dr. Gates, please visit www.ochsner.org or call 504-304-2800

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is an integrated healthcare system with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Celebrating 80 years in 2022, it leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and heart transplants and pediatrics, among other areas. Ochsner is consistently named both the top hospital and top children’s hospital in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The not-for-profit organization is inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities. Its focus is on preventing diseases and providing patient-centered care that is accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner Health pioneers new treatments, deploys emerging technologies and performs groundbreaking research, including over 700 clinical studies. It has more than 36,000 employees and over 4,600 employed and affiliated physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties. It operates 47 hospitals and more than 300 health and urgent care centers across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf South; and its cutting-edge Connected Health digital medicine program is caring for patients beyond its walls. In 2021, Ochsner Health treated more than 1 million people from every state and 75 countries. As Louisiana’s top healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. To learn more, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.