Doctors academy reaches out to help children read

UCSF Fresno Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy students have teamed up with the Reach Out and Read Program to promote early literacy as a standard part of pediatric care.

Doctors academy students recently held a book drive on campus and collected more than 700 children’s books. The students will present these books at 9 a.m. on Feb. 27 at University Medical Center’s Children’s Health Clinic to physicians and children involved with the program.

The Reach Out and Read Program is a national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. Dr. Melissa Aguirre, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at UCSF Fresno, and Dr. Lydia Herrera-Mata are the co-directors of the local program.

The Sunnyside High doctors academy, sponsored by the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, is a college preparatory academy for educationally and economically disadvantaged students interested in careers in health or medicine.

“The doctors academy students have the opportunity here to give back to their community and learn the value of community service,” Sunnyside principal Sheryl Weaver said. “In addition to collecting books, the students will volunteer as readers at health clinics throughout the Fresno area.”

With this donation of books, physicians and other health professionals can promote early literacy by making books available and encouraging parents to read aloud to their children.

This story was reported by the communications staff. The staff can be reached at MedWatchToday@communitymedical.org.

Monday, February 26, 2007