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NUMC’S PEDIATRICS DEPARTMENT TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF THE EAST MEADOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “WALK, RIDE, READ FOR SUCCESS” EVENT

Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP      
President/CEO        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2014

PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055

NUMC’S PEDIATRICS DEPARTMENT TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF THE EAST MEADOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “WALK, RIDE, READ FOR SUCCESS” EVENT


EAST MEADOW, NY, March 26, 2014 – Victor F. Politi, MD, FACP, FACEP, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, announces that the Nassau University Medical Center’s pediatrics department will be the recipient of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce “Walk, Ride, Read for Success” – a fun event for the entire family to support the launch of the “Reach Out and Read” program. “Walk, Ride, Read for Success” takes place on May 18th, 1-4 p.m., at Field 1, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow (rain or shine, no rain date).

“Chamber members want to make all of our community’s citizens successful in life,” says Steve Haller, President of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce. “What better place to start than with our kids? And what better partners in helping this NUMC’s “Reach Out and Read” program get off the ground than our neighbors?”

Participants in “Walk, Ride, Read for Success” will walk or ride their way around the park’s three-mile paved circuit (no motorized conveyances other than wheelchairs will be allowed). There will be educational and fun stops along the way. The goal is for the community to have a healthy, fun time while supporting “Reach Out and Read”, an important new initiative in East Meadow for the benefit of children.

“We are delighted and grateful that the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce has selected NUMC’s pediatrics department to receive part of the proceeds from their May 18th Walk, to benefit the “Reach Out and Read” program, in which doctors give new, developmentally appropriate books to young children three-months through five years of age, along with guidance to their parents about early literacy, early learning, development and school readiness,” stated Dr. Politi. “It is known that the first five years of life offer a critical window to learning, with rapid brain development that does not occur at any other time. Children who begin their school years without basic language skills start behind and often stay behind their classmates. “Reach Out and Read” is an “evidence-based program” proven to increase reading, improve language development and school success.”

David Fagan, MD, Chair of NUMC’s Pediatrics Department added: “I am excited that our department has joined with the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce to raise funds for this wonderful program, a nationally recognized early literacy program found in most teaching hospitals as part of their pediatric clinic.”

“A pediatrician began “Reach Out and Read” and hospitals, clinics and physicians across the country have seen its value and embraced it,” says Dina Joy Lieser, M.D., director of community pediatrics at NUMC. “At NUMC, we serve over several thousand children under the age of six. We have found that many of the families we serve do not have books at home and are excited to learn that reading to babies is an important and effective strategy to give their children an opportunity for a bright, successful and healthy future.”

Entry forms and details about the event will be available from all East Meadow Chamber of Commerce businesses, at East Meadow schools and on the Chamber of Commerce web site: www.eastmeadowchamber.com.
For additional information, please call Steve Haller, (516) 794-3727.