Rep. Sewell, UAB Medicine Launch Book Vending Machine in NICU for Premature Babies

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson For The Birmingham Times It’s a program that has seen tremendous success in helping premature babies and their parents. On Friday, Representative Terri Sewell joined staff of UAB Medicine for an expansion of their NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) Bookworm program with the launch of a new vending machine. Sewell said the program has special significance for her. “My mom was a librarian for 40 years,” said the congresswoman. “What a great way to honor the great work that you’re doing here at the NICU, but also, to honor my mommy, who told me that I could travel through books.” Sewell, who said she lost her mom three years ago, added, “studies have shown even premature babies, when listening to the voices of their parents and others, it improves outcomes. We know that.” Parents earn tokens through activities with their babies and educational programs, which can, in exchange, be redeemed for books from the vending machine. These new books have been donated from various organizations, including Reach Out and Read – Alabama, Legacy Federal Credit Union and a local Jack and Jill chapter. During the event, Sewell read a book from the vending machine to the babies...