Greenwich Hospital has launched a partnership with Read to Grow, a statewide literacy nonprofit, to promote early childhood literacy among newborns and their families. Through this collaboration, families welcoming babies at Greenwich Hospital will receive a newborn book packet and the opportunity to enroll in Read to Grow’s First Year Project. This initiative provides additional books and literacy support at developmental milestones such as three months and one year.
Bob Blenderman, PA, president of Greenwich Hospital, said, “Greenwich Hospital is committed to supporting families from their very first moments together. Our partnership with Read to Grow strengthens that mission. I’m especially proud of our amazing maternity team, whose compassion and expertise make these meaningful connections possible. Together, we’re helping every baby born at the hospital begin life with the tools to learn, grow and thrive.”
A launch event marked the beginning of the program and included remarks from Kirsten Lawrence, MD, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Greenwich Hospital; Suzannah Holsenbeck, executive director of Read to Grow; and featured the Read to Grow Bookmobile distributing free children’s books.
Dr. Lawrence stated, “Reading brings understanding and empathy. It opens our minds and our hearts to other people and different languages and worlds. We know about empathy and compassion at Greenwich Hospital because that is what we live in every day. This will help extend our relationships with the families we help here.”
Read to Grow collaborates closely with hospital staff by providing training for nurses and healthcare professionals on how reading, singing, and talking with newborns can benefit development. Trained providers then share practical strategies directly with families during their hospital stay.
Holsenbeck commented on the new partnership: “We are excited to bring the Newborn Literacy Project to another outstanding hospital and community. By partnering with trusted healthcare providers to connect families with books and guidance from day one, we are helping to build strong foundations for learning, bonding, and healthy development. In Connecticut, every new family should be given these vital tools to become their child’s first teacher.”
The initiative supports Greenwich Hospital’s ongoing focus on individualized care for maternity patients.
Greenwich Hospital serves lower Fairfield County in Connecticut as well as Westchester County in New York. The 206-bed facility is an academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine and offers a range of medical services. The hospital holds Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for nursing excellence.
Read to Grow distributes over 120,000 books annually through its Books for Babies, Books for Kids programs as well as its Bookmobile service across Connecticut.
