The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division are proud to announce the expansion of the Raising a Reader program to three hospitals in South Texas: Corpus Christi Medical Center (CCMC), Rio Grande Regional Hospital (RGRH) and Valley Regional Medical Center (VRMC). This initiative is designed to give babies a strong, healthy start by equipping new parents with tools and information to support their child’s brain development and early learning. With this expansion, more than 6,000 families will benefit from the program.
“We know that a baby’s journey with language begins before their first cry,” said Cindy Puryear, chief officer of programs and partnerships at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. “With a nurturing labor and delivery nurse by their side, Raising a Reader inspires new parents to support their baby’s early development through talking, singing, reading and playing — because every laugh, every lullaby and every story lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning.”
The Raising a Reader program first launched in the Greater Houston area in November 2023 at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake and HCA Houston Healthcare West. The Women’s Hospital of Texas adopted the program in 2024, followed by HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball in 2025. With the addition of CCMC, RGRH and VRMC, the program is expected to serve more than 25,000 newborns and their families annually.
“We are proud to introduce the Raising a Reader program to mothers and children at CCMC Bay Area,” said David Irizarry, CEO of Corpus Christi Medical Center. “This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing healthy families and empowering parents with resources that support lifelong learning from day one.”
New mothers participating in the program will receive a literacy bag that includes:
- An indestructible book
- A brochure with suggested activities to foster brain development and early literacy
- Information about public library resources
- A “prescription” to read to their baby for at least 15 minutes each day
Before discharge, healthcare teams will consult with new mothers to introduce Raising a Reader resources, ensuring families are equipped to begin their journey toward building a strong foundation for their child’s future.
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