Washington, March 20 -- Literacy corners in each of the five Nassau County locations welcome families with rows of diverse, multi-lingual books, child-size chairs and tables, and inviting decorations that remind young patients-even before seeing their doctor-that "Reading Will Take You Everywhere."

The reading areas, set up through Harmony's partnership with United Hospital Fund, have created a new culture of literacy at the federally qualified health centers, says pediatrician Suanne Kowal-Connelly, MD.

"We have this ability to promote literacy so you see it-it's front and center," said Dr. Kowal-Connelly, who is Harmony's director of pediatrics and pediatric clinical quality. "It just becomes obvious that literacy matters."

As one...