SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital
September 17, 2026
Agnesian HealthCare Foundation gift puts books into the hands of youngest patients
WAUPUN — Many of us can recall our favorite stories read by a parent, sibling, teacher, or loved one. Those moments often leave a lasting impression – creating comfort, strengthening connection, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
Thanks to a $2,000 gift from the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, more children in the Waupun community will experience those same meaningful moments through the Reach Out and Read program.
The gift is funding the purchase of books for pediatric patients from birth through age five, ensuring children seen at SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic – Waupun receive an age-appropriate book during their well-child visits.
As part of each visit, physicians encourage families to read together at home, reinforcing the importance of early literacy as a critical component of a child’s overall health and development.
“Reading aloud to young children is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support brain development, language skills, and emotional bonding,” according to Holly Haberman, MD, a family medicine physician at SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic – Waupun. “When we give families a book during a wellness visit, we’re not just providing a resource – we’re opening the door to learning, imagination, and connection during a child’s most formative years.”
Research shows that reading regularly to young children:
Provides meaningful, focused time between parents and children
Supports future reading success and school readiness
Strengthens language and speech development
Through Reach Out and Read, books become a natural part of routine pediatric care. Families leave each visit not only with guidance on physical health, but also with a tangible tool to support early learning at home.
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation’s $2,000 gift reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening families and investing in the future of the community.
“Programs like Reach Out and Read demonstrate how a relatively small investment can have an extraordinary impact,” says Deb Winterhack, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation director of development. “By funding books for children ages zero to five, we are helping families build strong foundations for learning while supporting long-term educational and health outcomes.”
This gift was made possible through the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund, which allows the board to respond to emerging needs and priority initiatives across SSM Health ministries in the greater Fond du Lac area.
“The flexibility of the Unrestricted Fund enables us to support meaningful initiatives like Reach Out and Read when they matter most,” Winterhack adds. “It’s one of the most powerful ways donors can help us make a difference. The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation is proud to support this important work – helping ensure that great stories, and bright futures, begin right here in our community.”
