Reach Out and Read Wisconsin

This month's spotlight features Emplify Health by Gundersen Boscobel Area Clinics. These clinics serve the small, rural communities of Boscobel, Fennimore, and Muscoda.

This group of three clinics joined Reach Out and Read in April 2025. While some staff members are new to the program, several bring experience from previous health systems. The clinic coordinator, for instance, used her prior expertise to implement a highly organized book-tracking system—a task that can often be a struggle for new sites. The staff values the opportunity to provide both developmental guidance and a book to families, noting the genuine excitement when children realize the book is theirs to keep.

In their first year, the clinics emphasized creating literacy-rich environments, specifically focusing on waiting rooms with child-friendly areas for reading and coloring.

Medical Champion Carley Drakas immediately embraced her role by volunteering for the Muscoda Public Library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten event. Drakas and her husband, both nurse practitioners at the Muscoda clinic, collaborated with local organizations to plan the successful event. Drakas noted that the event allowed them to connect with families in Muscoda and surrounding communities, as well as local institutions. She was especially pleased to meet the school principal and looks forward to assisting with future community events.