Regional healthcare organization seeks to educate new parents on how simple interactions with infants yield mental and emotional benefits.

IRVING, TEXAS — Working with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC), which unites 90 North Texas member hospitals to advance exceptional healthcare in the region, is launching an Early Brain Development program. The goal of the initiative is to inform new parents of the intellectual and psychological value of spending meaningful time connecting with their newborns.

“Growing Little Minds” is designed to encourage parents of new babies to inspire their infants by highlighting how simple, everyday activities can have a positive effect on their development. These interactions are especially important during their first year of life. Parents can increase their newborn’s capacity to learn by engaging their sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.

“Babies truly are like little sponges,” said DFWHC President/CEO W. Stephen Love. “We are bringing together all 90 member hospitals of North Texas to encourage young parents of new babies by showing them how easy it is to help their newborns absorb knowledge through normal, one-on-one interactions like playing peek-a-boo and reading to them. In fact, there’s a good chance parents may already be doing some of these things already.”

The campaign offers helpful information and advice about newborn care through videos which are part of a dedicated website at GrowingLittleMinds.com. Integrated social media feeds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram provide additional tips and allow mothers and fathers to connect and compare notes with a growing community of parents. A major press conference to discuss the campaign will be held at Parkland Health & Hospital System in September.

To learn more about the DFWHC, its mission and members, visit dfwhc.org.

About the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council
The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council unites North Texas hospitals and industry leaders to advance quality healthcare in the region. With more than 44 years of collaboration, DFWHC is one of the leading hospital councils in the country and the only hospital council in Texas. Driven by elite members, DFWHC provides educational sessions, networking opportunities and competitive intelligence. To learn more, visit dfwhc.org, or follow us on LinkedIn.

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
jULY 21, 2016

Contact:
Chris Wilson
chrisw@dfwhc.org
(972) 719-4900