CINCINNATI — New parents discharged from The Christ Hospital are taking home more than just a newborn - they get a book and encouragement to start reading to their baby immediately.

The Christ Hospital Health Network started handing out books this week, and it expects to hand out 3,400 books this year.

"You should be reading to your children basically from the moment they're born," said Dr. Jenny Demos, associate medical director of the Liberty Birthing Center. "They like listening to your voice and hearing words and seeing pictures on the book and it makes reading a special time, so they grow to enjoy it."

A 2019 Ohio State University study found 4 million American children under age 3 had never been read to in their lifetime.

"They like to hear those words and see the pictures and start to make those connections as they become more developmentally aware," Demos said.

The Christ Hospital Health Network partnered with Pampers and Scholastic to bring diverse and bilingual books to new parents as part of the network's "Surprise and Delight" program, which also includes the limited-edition onesie program on certain celebratory days in Cincinnati.

Susan and Jordan Sayatovic were among the first to receive a book. They received "The Wheels on the Bus," which they read with baby Nora.

The Christ Hospital

A 2020 survey found 45% of parents believe they shouldn't start reading to a child until they turn 2.

"At Pampers, we believe a baby’s earliest days are essential toward shaping a bright beginning,” Sarah Pasquinucci, senior communications director for P&G North America Baby Care, wrote in a news release. “Through Pampers Bright Beginnings, our goal is to help every baby experience the benefits of being read to from birth and we are thrilled to be able to achieve this at a local level through our partnership with The Christ Hospital.”

Pampers Bright Beginnings program also includes community partnerships in other cities across the country and a longstanding relationship with the March of Dimes. An advisory council guides the program's efforts and includes professor and co-director of the Cincinnati Children's Pediatric Education Center, Dr. Tom DeWitt.

The Christ Hospital Health Network started giving out books the last week of January, and it expects to receive more books for distribution through June.

CINCINNATI — The Christ Hospital Health Network is the latest hospital system to announce staffing changes and pay cuts due to COVID-19.

Christ announced on Friday that it will cut pay by 25% for executive leadership and redeploy other employees into new roles.

“Doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses and all other caregivers who are directly on the front lines, providing patient care in the fight against COVID-19, will be fully supported and financially protected at 100% of pay," Christ spokesman Bo McMillan wrote in a statement. "All employees not on the front line will be re-deployed as much as possible or will be guaranteed financial stability at 75% of regular wages for the next month."

In addition to hospitals in Mt. Auburn and Liberty Township, Christ operates more than 100 medical centers and physician practices throughout the Cincinnati area.

“As we are preparing for the surge in COVID-19 cases, we, like all other hospitals, have simultaneously been forced to manage a decline in patient volumes, as most non-urgent, non-emergent services have been halted,” McMillan wrote. “We will continuously re-evaluate this pandemic staffing model as the situation evolves over the next few, critical weeks.”

Hospital systems across the region are struggling financially due to the elimination of elective surgeries and routine doctor visits put in place by government leaders to halt the spread of COVID-19.

This week Bon Secours Mercy Health announced furloughs for 700 employees — or 1% of its 60,000 staffing base — which became effective on Friday. The furloughs are expected to last 30 to 90 days.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented demand for health care services, while simultaneously causing an unprecedented decline in other services and work within Mercy Health," Mercy spokeswoman Nanette Bentley wrote in a statement. "In response, we are acting quickly to redeploy or temporarily furlough associates who are unable to work due to temporary closure, cancellation and low census in primary care, outpatient and surgical services."

Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio, announced pay changes for some of its doctors last week.

“If your productivity declined significantly, we will reduce your base draw commensurate to 70% of your historical average productivity. At this time, we do not anticipate needing to reduce your base draw below 70%," according to an email obtained by WCPO.

TriHealth President and CEO Mark Clement notified employees of a 20% pay cut for senior leaders during the same week.

There are also changes at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, which temporarily closed locations in Eastgate, Mason and Northern Kentucky as a result of COVID-19.

"In addition, all elective surgeries and some appointments have been canceled to help build capacity for a potential COVID-19 surge," according to Cincinnati Children's senior director of external relations Libby Coulton. "As a result, many of our employees are being re-assigned to other locations. And some may be temporarily released from their duties."