Florida Hospital Waterman Partners with City and Friends of the Tavares Library to Provide Powerful Early Literacy Resources

Florida Hospital Waterman launched the Welcome Baby Program this week in partnership with the City of Tavares Public Library and Friends of the Tavares Library to give newborns the gift of a lifetime.

The Welcome Baby early literacy program is designed to open a world of possibilities with daily reading, writing, talking, singing, writing and playing time with baby. The program starts from the first day, by giving each newborn delivered at Florida Hospital Waterman their very first cloth book in a special tote designed to carry books, diapers or anything else for baby. Once settled in with the newest member of the family, the program invites recipients to the Tavares Public Library where baby will receive a second free book, Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and have access to other library programs such as weekly infant story time, which includes songs, stories, learning and new friends.

We are excited to partner with the City of Tavares Public Library and Friends of the Tavares Library to promote early literacy in our community, says Lynn Kirman, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Florida Hospital Waterman. As part of our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ this program fits perfectly into our vision of providing whole person care, starting at birth.

Florida Hospital Waterman is a 269-bed, state of the art hospital located in the heart of Lake County. With 530 babies born last year in their Center for Women and Children, they offer expert, individualized care to women and children of all ages. A current expansion project at its Tavares hospital campus will more than double the size of the Emergency Department and include the addition of a four-story patient tower dedicated to women's services, pediatrics and future growth.

This early literacy gift is made possible through its partners and in association with Niagara Water Bottling Company, who provide the funding for this program.