By: Martha Edwards MD (Rock Hill Peds), ROR South Carolina Medical Director

“ I have always been a strong cheerleader for Reach Out and Read, and now I look forward to coming off the sidelines and officially joining the team,” says Martha. “I can think of no more important work at the present moment than helping parents to realize the magic of reading together with their children.”

I am so grateful to be the named the Reach Out and Read Medical Director for South Carolina!

I have always been a huge fan of Reach Out and Read. My practice, Rock Hill Peds, has been fortunate to have a local nonprofit fund and stock our books for nearly 20 years.

At this point, entering an exam room without a book for a 0-5-year-old well-child visit would be like coming in with no stethoscope or otoscope.

I hope that all of our practices have the opportunity to integrate Reach Out and Read into well-child visits for all children 0-5 year old. You can learn more HERE.

I also want to highlight Reach Out and Read teaching modules. They have an excellent library of topics which not only help us learn ways to teach parents about the magic of reading with their children, they also help us earn category 1 CME credits FREE.

I just took the course on stress and adversity and was inspired by watching a video of Dr. Perri Klass presenting grand rounds at Wake Forest. The modules are engaging and beautifully done. Here’s the link.

Note: Dr. Edwards is the upcoming secretary treasurer for the SC American Academy of Pediatrics.