Reach Out and Read Medical Leadership

The Reach Out and Read Medical Leadership network unites clinicians across the country who are deeply involved with Reach Out and Read, going beyond implementation of the model. This group of medical leaders can explore timely news, training, resources and research, plus opportunities — based on individual interest and expertise — to engage with the National office to support and guide Reach Out and Read.

Join Our Community

Interested in engaging with clinicians across the Reach Out and Read network? Learn what’s happening in their exam rooms, read thoughts on research and news, share your own exam room experiences, and so much more in the the quarterly Medical Leadership Newsletter. Click here to join the list!

Plus: Find additional engagement opportunities, like training and research, below.

Latest News

Keep up to date on new research and news!

Our team — in collaboration with Medical Leadership — will add news to this section biweekly. Find new articles here, share them with colleagues and peers, and even contribute your own thoughts.

You can submit your reflection or commentary on one of these articles here. Each quarter, we’ll use one in our Medical Leadership Newsletter.

Early relational health care: What is known and what is new for family physicians | Canadian Family Physician | May 2024

In this clinical review by Canadian family physicians, early relational health is presented as a strengths-based approach that centers safe, nurturing caregiver-child relationships as the foundation for healthy development and resilience. The authors translates developmental science into practical guidance, showing how family doctors can use everyday visits to observe interactions, reinforce positive parenting behaviors, and connect families to supportive resources without adding new clinical burdens.

Read the complete article here.

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Why Reading to Kids Is an Important Health Intervention | Epic | Mar 3, 2026

On the Ed Talks podcast, family medicine physician and Epic Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jackie Gerhart explains how early childhood literacy is tightly linked to lifelong health, describing how reading with young children strengthens brain development, relationships, and long-term well-being. Drawing on her clinical experience with Reach Out and Read, she highlights how simple, low-cost reading interventions embedded into care workflows can improve outcomes for families, clinicians, and health systems without adding medications or clinical burden.

Read the complete article here.

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“The effect of a literacy training program on family medicine residents” | Family Medicine | September 2026

A family medicine residency program trained residents in literacy promotion through Reach Out and Read and adult literacy interventions. Results showed significant improvements: literacy knowledge increased from 74.5% to 83.1%, and residents reported greater comfort counseling about literacy and more frequently assessed literacy milestones and parent-child reading during visits.

Read the complete article here.

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Early relational health care: What is known and what is new for family physicians | Canadian Family Physician | May 2024
Why Reading to Kids Is an Important Health Intervention | Epic | Mar 3, 2026
“The effect of a literacy training program on family medicine residents” | Family Medicine | September 2026
Training Opportunities
Interested in expanding your Reach Out and Read practice beyond Core Training? Learn more at the link below.
> Check Out Additional Training
Research
Reach Out and Read conducts research that shines a light on the positive outcomes of delivery of our model and reveals new areas where we can benefit young children, their families, and our network.
> Explore Our Approach
News Archive
Want to review a previously shared article? Did you miss our biweekly update? Find all of our previous articles archived here.
> Visit News Archive
Reach Out and Read Podcast
Among all the great podcast episodes, you’ll find bimonthly Science Sessions that highlight additional research.
> Listen Now
Clinician Spotlight
Get to know our Medical Leadership community! We’ll highlight work, recognize partnership, and share their passion for Reach Out and Read.
> Meet Dr. Chung
From My Exam
Room To Yours
Our model keeps us united! Hear directly from clinicians, reflecting on their Reach Out and Read practice.
> Read More