Ferst Readers partner with Baptist Medical Center Nassau

Ferst Readers of Nassau County

May 29, 2019

Kellene Sauls (BMCN), Ed Hubel (BMCN President), Ann Pearson (Ferst Readers CAT), Lynda Smith (Ferst Readers CAT), Michelle Maddox (Ferst Readers), RN Lynne Grinold, Jody Henson (Incoming Rotary President)

Some partnerships just make sense! Each year, hundreds of babies are born at Baptist Medical Center Nassau and for the past four years, Ferst Readers of Nassau County has been promoting the importance of early literacy in children from birth to five years old by mailing books and literacy resources monthly to hundreds registered children. However, what kind of effect could be made if the babies born at BMCN were registered before they went home? Current research shows 85% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of three, so we aim to find out! Imagine the impact of a child having 60 books in their home library and hundreds of opportunities to be read to before ever entering school!

Earlier this year, representatives from Ferst Readers and BMCN met and agreed to partner together to register the babies born at the hospital! Mr. Ed Hubel, Hospital President and Kellene Sauls, Nurse Executive, were excited about the hospital’s role in promoting early literacy with our most valuable resource – our children! Mr. Hubel pledged the hospital will sponsor the first 100 babies born at Baptist Medical Center Nassau!

Ferst Readers of Nassau County’s plan is to obtain monthly sponsors for the 30-50 babies born at BMCN. When the Rotary Club of Amelia Sunrise heard about the partnership, they agreed to sponsor at least one month of babies born at BMCN according to President, Mickey Ulmer! One of Rotary’s main causes is to support education and literacy and they see first-hand how important early literacy is because they tutor fourth graders at the elementary schools through their Early Act Club. They are looking forward to helping children receive books and literacy materials to help them build school readiness skills before entering kindergarten.

Ferst Readers of Nassau County, Baptist Medical Center Nassau and Rotary Club of Amelia Sunrise are teaming up to give our babies a head start!

THANK YOU - Baptist Medical Center Nassau and Rotary Club of Amelia Island Sunrise for giving our children this wonderful opportunity! We appreciate YOU!