St. Dominic’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Jackson placed second in an international literacy competition aimed at supporting infant development and family bonding.

The “Babies with Books Read-A-Thon,” held Sept. 8-18, brought together 249 hospitals from around the world. St. Dominic logged 1,144 reading sessions during the event, averaging 19.62 sessions per baby per day despite a census of just five infants.

This year marked the third time St. Dominic has participated in the read-a-thon, which carried the theme “Wild About Reading.” The competition encourages NICUs to promote early literacy while offering parents a meaningful way to connect with their newborns.

“Reading not only gives parents a meaningful way to bond with their babies, but it also supports neurodevelopment e

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