ATTENTION

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 for 24/7 free and confidential crisis support. You do not have to be suicidal to call. Access more info and resources on suicide prevention, emotional and mental health support

toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

Menu

Blog Post

St. Luke's Blogs

Reading is Good Medicine Provides a Welcome Weekend Tonic

By Dr. David C. Pate, News and Community
March 10, 2015

As many of you know by now, I'm a huge fan of books, literacy, children, grandchildren, and most particularly, a combination of all of the above.

Crowd control with one hand. My twin grandsons seem more interested in the audience than in the reading.

So it was my great pleasure again this year to be part of the program for "Reading is Good Medicine." This was our eighth year to partner with Barnes & Noble for the Saturday full of games, art projects, learning, and readings.

The event gives kids a fun way to dive into the world of reading and gives friends of kids the chance to support them by buying books for pediatric patients’ use within St. Luke’s Health System. My read this year? "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," by children's favorite doctor of all time, Dr. Seuss.

 

Service dogs make the day all the more fun.

In all, 13 departments associated with St. Luke’s Children’s staffed booths, and 175 children and their families took part. More than two-dozen books were donated, and percentages from sales from the day earmarked to support St. Luke's Children's likely will top $1,100.

About The Author

David C. Pate, M.D., J.D., previously served as president and CEO of St. Luke's Health System, based in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Pate joined the System in 2009 and retired in 2020. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.