UPDATE: A flurry of joy erupted at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center as six babies were born within a remarkable 12-hour span, heralding the arrival of 2026. This festive surge began on New Year’s Eve and continued into the early hours of January 1, 2026, marking an extraordinary night for the hospital’s maternity ward.
Nurse Melissa Thompson described the scene as “a very busy night, a very wonderful night.” Expectant parents were eager to welcome their little ones just as the calendar turned, with many rushing to the hospital. “A lot of our patients were racing to get there,” Thompson shared.
The first baby of the year, Elias Lee Davis, made his grand entrance at 1:38 a.m., weighing 5 pounds and 13.5 ounces. Proud parents Alexis Barnette Ludwig and Jason Davis from Pomeroy celebrated this special moment alongside excited grandparents.
The excitement didn’t stop there. The second baby of 2026 arrived at 3:06 a.m., followed closely by the third at 5:32 a.m.. The competition for the title of the first baby of the new year was fierce, with the last baby of 2025 born just before midnight at 11:44 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Other New Year’s Eve arrivals included babies born at 6:15 p.m. and 10:40 p.m., all welcomed with joy by their families. The hospital celebrated these new additions with a heartwarming Facebook post: “Welcome to the world, little ones—and thank you to our incredible Family Beginnings staff and providers! Delivering New Year’s babies. That’s why we’re here.”
Adding to the excitement, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a “2026 Best Hospital for Maternity Care.” The hospital also received the designation of a Maternity Care Access Hospital, a recognition awarded to just 147 essential hospitals serving communities at risk of maternity care shortages.
As families celebrate these new beginnings, St. Joseph’s remains committed to providing crucial maternity care, ensuring a bright future for expectant parents and their newborns.
Stay tuned for more updates on these joyous arrivals and what other surprises 2026 may hold!
