ST. CROIX — The Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center (JFL) welcomed its first baby for 2018 on January 2 at 6:57 p.m., the hospital made known on Friday, a long held tradition where gifts are presented to the child along with its mother.
Baby Zakai Joseph was born to Zalika Neal and Shelton Joseph weighing eight pounds, seven ounces, and 56 centimeters long at birth. It is the first baby for Ms. Neal who said she was very excited. “I feel awesome, excited and a little nervous,” Ms. Neal said. “I got two gifts, my baby, and having the first baby for the new year. My midwife Ms. Bannis did a great job walking me through the labor process. The entire staff was great to me, they really did an awesome job.”
Members of JFL’s nursing and public relations teams presented the new mom and family with dozens of presents on behalf of JFL’s administration, and the Women and Children’s units on Thursday morning. Ms. Neal also received presents from Judah Hodge who was the first baby born on St. Croix in 2008. Accompanied by his mom, Judah wanted to do something special for his tenth birthday so he presented gifts to this year’s first baby.
First born of 2018 on St. Croix with mother and nurses. (JFL)
JFL Chief Executive Officer Wanda Ruben extended congratulations to the new parents. “We are so excited every time a baby is born at JFL, and I want to congratulate the parents of this first baby of the year,” Ms. Ruben said. “I wish only the best for this new family as they embark on the joys of raising Baby Zakai into a wonderful young man. I take pride in knowing that our wonderful staff was instrumental in providing the quality care needed before and after the baby’s arrival.”
The hospital thanked its Post Partum & NICU staff, the Friends of Albert Bryan Jr., Island Moms Rock, VI R-3, Kaival Youth in Chicago, Erin Perry and Friends out of Washington, and Irma Abraham and friends out of North Carolina for their contributions to the first baby of the year.
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