Northfield has been designated as a “Bookend Community,” where every primary care clinic in town takes part in Reach Out and Read, a national program that gives free books to kids at their health checkups, and gives advice to parents about reading aloud to their young children. 

Mayor Rhonda Pownell and doctors from each clinic accepted the “Bookend Award” in City Council chambers, along with representatives of funders Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and Northfield Healthy Community Initiative.

NH+C pediatrician Ben Flannery, MD led the effort to bring Reach Out and Read to Northfield. Dr. Flannery is passionate about the health benefits of early literacy.

Between NH+C, HealthFinders and Allina Clinic Northfield, all primary care clinics in town make sure all young Northfielders have access to books.

Only two Minnesota towns have achieved 100% clinic participation since Reach Out and Read launched in 2008. (The first? Fairmont.)

Learn more: http://reachoutandreadmn.org/