Burlington, ON – Luca Alexander Marino is the first baby to be born at Joseph Brant Hospital in 2024, weighing a healthy 7 pounds and 6 ounces.
Parents Chelsea MacRae and Matthew Marino of Hamilton were happy to ring in 2024 with arrival of their second child – a little brother to 2-year-old Adrian. In keeping with a time-honoured New Year’s tradition, Luca and his parents were presented with a gift from the hospital.
It appears that Luca was eager to join the New Year’s festivities. MacRae said her contractions started just after midnight. The couple arrived at the hospital at about 1 a.m. and baby Luca was born at 5:16 a.m.
“We’re just so happy to welcome him,” they said.
In 2023, there were 1,456 babies delivered at JBH. The physicians, midwives and nurses in the hospital’s Labour and Delivery unit provide excellent, quality care to pregnant, labouring persons and newborns.
“It’s always an extra exciting time to welcome the first baby of the year into the world!” said the Maternal Child care team.
After delivery, parents and newborns move to the Maternal & Child unit, which provides a broad range of care and services to address the physical and emotional needs of families before and after delivery.
Pediatric patients are cared for on the same unit, enjoying rooms, waiting areas and shared spaces filled with colourful murals of Burlington landmarks, country landscapes and exotic animals. The artwork, which provides an uplifting and cheerful environment for families to enjoy their stay and visits, was made possible through the generous donation of Bill and Donna Hook and the Oakville-based Smilezone Foundation.
Learn more about JBH’s Maternal & Child Program.
Have you or a loved one received exceptional care in our Labour and Delivery Unit or another unit at JBH? Honour a caregiver with a donation in their name and help ensure the best care can be found close to home: https://jbhfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/gifts/gifts-of-gratitude/.