CORE (Community Outreach and Engagement) Programs

Reading Hospital supports meaningful community engagement through various outreach programs, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and volunteering. The Community OutReach & Engagement (CORE) Program pairs Reading Hospital employees with community-based organizations in need of volunteer support.

Knowledge can be a powerful tool in maintaining your health. That is why Reading Hospital, your partner in wellness, is committed to providing a variety of programs that promote healthy lifestyles and educate community members while empowering them to improve their overall health.

Opportunities can be scheduled Monday through Friday during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Speakers Bureau

Reading Hospital's Speakers Bureau is a service provided by highly qualified physicians, nurses, and other hospital staff who provide information and insight on a number of healthcare topics that will increase the community's knowledge of healthcare services and procedures, chronic disease prevention and management, healthy lifestyles, advances in medical technology, healthcare careers, etc.

Speakers Bureau Topics

• Behavioral Health – Adolescent addiction, behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling), cognitive behavioral therapy, normalizing mental health and wellness, opioids and pain medications, substance use disorder (alcohol/drug abuse), systems theory
• Bone and Joint – Living through walking, preventing sports injuries
• Brain – Brain aneurysms and treatment, stroke
• Cancer – Breast cancer, hereditary cancer, cancer rehabilitation, cancer risk factors, cancer screenings for high-risk individuals, identifying individuals at increased risk for cancer
• Healthcare Services and Procedures – Advanced directives, durable medical equipment, importance of spiritual care in health settings, operating room and procedures, physical therapy, weight loss surgery
• Heart – Heart failure
• Lungs – Sleep apnea
• Pediatric Health – General family medicine, pediatric weight management, child abuse
• Pharmacy – Managing your medications, medications for heart failure
• Professional Development – Healthcare careers, overcoming professional setbacks
• Public Health – Community health, exercise is medicine, healthy lifestyles, HIV/AIDS, immunizations, preventative healthcare
• Senior Health – Exercise in the geriatric population, fall prevention, home modification for safety
• Stomach – Celiac disease
• Trauma Services – Stop the bleed, bike safety
• Women’s Health – Pregnancy, labor, and delivery

Health Fairs & Community-Based Events

Reading Hospital encourages local community-based organizations and businesses to contact the Community Wellness Department regarding Hospital participation in health fairs, resource fairs, festivals, and other events where our staff would be able to provide health and wellness education, information, or screening services to event attendees.

Health Screenings

Reading Hospital provides the public with opportunities to receive health screenings, which encourage early detection of medical problems and promote healthy lifestyles. Free or low-cost screenings are offered on an annual basis at various times throughout the year, and registration is required. These screenings include:

• Blood pressure screening
• Body mass index
• Other screenings, available by request

Please call 833-34-TOWER for more information.

Mental Health First Aid Trainings

Mental Health First Aid Training teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. It increases confidence and empowers our community members to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use program and help connect them to appropriate care.

Stop The Bleed

Part of a nation-wide program, Stop by Bleed teaches bystanders life-saving actions to take in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

Volunteer Support

Reading Hospital engages with various Berks County organizations to provide our employees volunteer opportunities in the community. All activities are coordinated through the Community Wellness Department and are scheduled Monday through Friday during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To Request Volunteer Support

1. Complete the CORE Program Volunteer Opportunity Registration Form. (*This is different than the Community Outreach Form.)
2. Submit the completed form to CommunityWellness@towerhealth.org.

The Reading Hospital CORE Program staff will send event confirmation. Please allow 30 days for your request to be processed, approved, and coordinated.

Sample Schedule of a Volunteer Day

Your Responsibilities on a Volunteer Day

• Assign an agency representative(s) to greet Reading Hospital staff and provide service project direction and supervision.
• Take photos of Reading Hospital staff before, during, and/or after the service project. Photos can be submitted to CommunityWellness@towerhealth.org.