With the help of local donations and community partners, the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation is making it easier for families with young children when they visit the hospital and doctors’ offices when needing care with the newest installment of book nooks and child-friendly furniture.
“Our primary goal at the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation is to support our community needs when it comes to access to the best health care options that are available right here in our hometown,” said Lynn Griffor, chief experience officer and vice president of philanthropy at McLaren Greater Lansing. “We’re always looking for ways to prioritize patient comfort, and that includes providing resources for our young families as well while they are waiting for their care.”
With the idea of providing book material that primarily focuses on health-related topics and emotions for young children who may need a little comfort and distraction when in a hospital or doctors’ office setting, the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation reached out to Ingham Intermediate School District (Ingham ISD) to help bring this idea to fruition.
“Ingham ISD loves all things literacy, so we were thrilled to be approached by the Foundation about this initiative and we were able to find some grant funding to purchase the books,” said Emily Brewer, executive director of early childhood services at Ingham Intermediate School District. “We know from research and best practices that in order for our young learners to be successful in school and in life, developing strong foundation skills such as reading and writing is so important.”
This new project allows for three book nook locations installed in key locations throughout the McLaren Greater Lansing health care system – the emergency room waiting area, the Multi-Specialty Clinic, and the Family Medicine Clinic. Research has found that reading helps students develop communication and language skills and can help strengthen memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills, among other benefits.
“It’s the little things that make such a big difference when you are coming to the hospital or seeing a physician, and we are grateful for our partners who stepped up to help bring this to life,” said Griffor.
Donations from Pace-Howe Design and NBS Commercial Interiors helped fund the project to provide furniture including tables, chairs, and shelving units – all thoughtfully chosen to make the spaces feel welcoming.
“Pace Howe Design is proud to support McLaren Greater Lansing’s book nook initiative,” said Darcy Pace, design principal at Pace Howe Design, who was contracted to help with the design of the new McLaren hospital that opened in 2022. “When designing the emergency department, hospital leadership requested a dedicated children’s area with bright colors, art, and kid-friendly furniture. This space incorporates features that positively distract children in a potentially stressful environment. The addition of the book nook will further enhance this area by providing a valuable tool to alleviate anxiety and redirect attention toward constructive stimuli, ultimately contributing to a more positive experience for young patients.”
NBS Commercial Interior’s general manager, Lance Rice, said it was an honor for NBS to be a part of this project and supporting McLaren Greater Lansing and Ingham ISD.
“We recognize the importance of early literacy, and it is really impactful that the comfort of a book can make an experience, such as a hospital visit, a little brighter for the youngest among us,” said Rice.
An official ribbon cutting of the book nook installations was held on January 23, 2025, at the McLaren Greater Lansing Multi-Specialty Clinic. Griffor said there are also plans to provide additional book nooks to more McLaren primary care facilities, including the McLaren Greater Lansing Women’s Health in DeWitt very soon.
This project is aligned with the Michigan Department of Education “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” campaign. This campaign is designed to share information with families about the critical role they play in their child’s early brain and language development. To learn more about this program, click here.
Interested in making an impact? Learn more about ways you can get involved or how to donate to the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation. These donations provide the McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital with lifesaving equipment, programs, and personnel. Click here to find out how.