BREAKING: Six babies made a grand entrance into the world at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center’s Family Beginnings during a bustling 12-hour span surrounding New Year’s Eve. This surge of newborns is an extraordinary event for the hospital, confirming a night filled with excitement and joy.
“This was a very busy night, a very wonderful night,” said Melissa Thompson, a nurse in the maternity ward. The anticipation surrounding the new year had expectant parents rushing to the hospital. “A lot of our patients were racing to get here,” she added, highlighting the thrill of welcoming the first babies of 2026.
The first baby of the year, Elias Lee Davis, arrived at 1:38 a.m., weighing in at 5 pounds and 13.5 ounces. Proud parents Alexis Barnette Ludwig and Jason Davis from Pomeroy celebrated the arrival of their son, with family members including grandparents Mary Davis, Tami Hansen, Melissa Gray, Tonnie Ludwig, and Marvin Ludwig eagerly awaiting the news.
The race for the first baby of the new year was remarkably close. The last baby of 2025 was born just minutes before, at 11:44 p.m., while the second baby of 2026 arrived at 3:06 a.m. and the third at 5:32 a.m.. Other New Year’s Eve arrivals included babies born at 6:15 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. on December 31.
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center celebrated this joyous occasion with a heartfelt 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 hospital’s prestige, it was recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a “2026 Best Hospital for Maternity Care.” It also received the designation of a Maternity Care Access Hospital, which highlights its crucial role in providing maternity care services to communities at risk of becoming maternity care deserts.
The other newborns include Charlie Douglas Miller, born to Hannah Barnes and Jordan Miller of Lewiston; Debbie Danielle Dawson, to Kasey Bond and Noah Dawson of Pomeroy; Tate Jeffrey Lunceford, to Hope and Leighton Lunceford of Lewiston; Evelynne Jean Morgan, to Meg and Tim Morgan of Moscow; and Gradi Ann Lynch, to Molly and Matthew Lynch of Clarkston.
As the world welcomes these new lives, the community remains abuzz with excitement. For those eagerly following the developments from St. Joe, stay tuned for more heartwarming updates as these families begin their new journeys.
