Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing Strengthens Early Literacy Through Reach Out and Read Partnership

On Saturday, Sept. 20, Dr. Seth Gregory, family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing, joined the Minnesota Children’s Book Festival to celebrate reading and community connection. Alongside Danette Kubit, Reach Out and Read Program Specialist, Dr. Gregory helped promote the Reach Out and Read program, which provides books and literacy guidance to young children and families during routine well-child visits. Kubit hosted a book raffle and shared information about the program with festival attendees.

“It was incredible to witness firsthand Dr. Gregory’s relationships with his patients and the joy on their faces when they saw him,” said Kubit. “His presence truly made a meaningful impact on the festival and the community.”

Since launching the Reach Out and Read program at Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing one year ago, the clinic has distributed more than 2,000 books to local children. Dr. Gregory also helped secure a $10,000 grant from the Jones Family Foundation to sustain the program, demonstrating his deep commitment to fostering literacy and early learning.

Inspired by the local school district’s declining literacy rates, Dr. Gregory has championed Reach Out and Read as a vital resource for families. His leadership has positioned Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing as one of the strongest Reach Out and Read programs across the Mayo system.

“Reading with children from a young age supports brain development, emotional growth, and family connection,” said Dr. Gregory. “It’s a simple but powerful way to set children up for lifelong learning.”

Reach Out and Read Minnesota partners with over 300 clinics across the state to provide books and literacy guidance to families. Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the program has been shown to increase reading at home, improve language development, and boost attendance at well-child visits.

Across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 33 Mayo Clinic Health System sites now participate in Reach Out and Read, distributing more than 39,500 books each year—helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their future.