NACHC - National Association of Community Health Centers
07/25/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/25/2024 18:53
A Delaware Health Center Launches a Brings Health Care Heroes to Life in a New Book: “CAPTAIN WESTSIDE AND THE HEALTH HEROES: CARING FOR DELAWARE’S FAMILIES”
Left to right: Delaware First Spouse, Tracey Quillen Carney, Lolita Lopez, Governor John Carney , NACHC President and CEO Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP.
Often, the simplest ideas that have the most profound impact. A case in point is Westside Family Healthcare in Wilmington, DE, where they decided to address pediatric literacy by publishing their own children's book: "Captain Westside and the Health Heroes: Caring for Delaware's Families!" was officially launched this week in a celebration at the Wilmington Public Library. The book features many real life people associated with Westside, including former CEO Lolita Lopez, who retired from Westside and was honored with the NACHC Lifetime Achievement Award last February. In fact, Lopez is the real health hero who inspired Captain Westside.
In the book, Captain Westside and Westside's health heroes team up to teach young people about staying healthy, being courageous and feeling more confident as they navigate through the challenges of today's world.
"I never could have dreamed of such an opportunity for my legacy to carry on, plus to be able to teach children about good health, it's just amazing. Today is what I call a glory day," said Lopez in an interview with Delaware Public Media.
"This project is not only a testament to Westside's commitment to health equity and early childhood development, but it also honors the legacy of our own fearless leader, Lolita Lopez, who has always championed innovative approaches to community health and health equity for all," said President & CEO Chris Fraser in a press release issued by Westside.
The Captain Westside book launch also drew local and state leaders, including Delaware Governor John Carney and First Spouse, Tracey Quillen Carney. NACHC President and CEO Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, and a board member of Reach Out and Read, a program that provides new books to young patients during their routine check-ups also attended.
"As a Community Health Center pediatrician, dad, and board member of Reach Out and Read, I have seen firsthand the transformative effects of fostering early childhood literacy. The health care heroes at Westside Family Healthcare, and at every Community Health Center in this country, know that reading and language proficiency are a key social driver of health and an essential tool for generating better health outcomes and reducing health disparities."
Westside's goal is to distribute 6,000 Captain Westside children's books within the first year through the National Reach Out and Read Program. The project was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration by way of the American Rescue Plan Act. The book is available in both English and Spanish.