New book program makes healthy living accessible for local families
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Residents of family medicine filled a room at Natividad Medical Center this morning to listen as Dr. Joshua Deutsch unveiled the new Justice with Health Clinic Book Program.
Dr. Deutsch is the author of a collection of 10 children's books, each of which include fun and educational stories on health-related topics that impact local communities. The program will distribute 18,000 of Dr. Deutsch's books to four different local hospitals.
It was important to Dr. Deutsch that the program was introduced to residents firsthand. "This is a place where 30 new family physicians who have roots in this community plan to go ahead and practice in this community, and many of them will go other places and then they'll bring this book program with them," he said.
During his presentation, Doctor Gabriel Flores Jr. was one of a few residents who spoke highly about Doctor Deutsch and his books. "On behalf of [the residents], thank you for your passion and for this fire. You know, as a guy like myself, that at one point was working as a mechanic in Los Angeles and had no idea I'd be a chief medical officer in my 30s, staying passionate about these programs is critical - it's what makes the days fly by. It really goes a long way," said Flores.
Each of Doctor Deutsch's books tell a story that helps to instill a lesson about a healthy habit. So far, the books have covered diabetes, healthy eating, staying active, and much more. Several of the books are in both English and Spanish, while some are wordless - allowing for families from all educational backgrounds and languages to enjoy them. Another book is on the way, and many more are in the works.
The doctor says that his main focus for the books is to educate farming families - like the ones in and around the Salinas Valley - on health-conscious living, as these families may not have this information readily accessible outside of a doctors' office.
Hard copies of Doctor Deutsch's collection can be purchased locally at Downtown & Sound in Salinas, and the full collection can be downloaded for free online at justicewithhealth.com.
