Health & Fitness
Introducing the Last and First Babies Born at Old and New Medical Centers
The new 241-bed Mills-Peninsula Medical Center opened on Sunday, May 15, and within hours welcomed new babies at both the old and the new hospitals.
It was a historical moment – for some people, once in a lifetime – when the new 450,000-square-foot, 241-bed Mills-Peninsula Medical Center opened on Sunday, May 15.
Beginning at 7 a.m., 102 patients receiving care at the existing hospital were moved one by one to the adjacent, new hospital until all were comfortably relocated in their brand new rooms. One patient was moved every three minutes until all patients had been safely transferred to the new hospital.
Amidst this well-orchestrated transition to the new hospital, life went on, and there were two historic debuts.
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The last baby born at Peninsula Medical Center on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 9:12 a.m., was Matthew Deninger, born to William and Jeana Deninger. Matthew’s big sister was also born at Peninsula Medical Center.
“We are actually happy that Matthew was born in the old hospital because his older sister was born there,” said Jeana Deninger. “In fact, they were both born in the same room.”
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The first baby born at the new Mills-Peninsula Medical Center on Sunday, May 15, at 10:05 a.m. was Theo Rouspio. He weighed 9.5 pounds.
Belinda Wong, mother of a three-week-old baby who was moved from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the old hospital to the new also commented on the move.
“The move was very well organized," Belinda Wong said. “My baby was monitored throughout and we felt well cared for. We came to the community open house, so we knew what to expect at the new hospital. It’s very beautiful and spacious. Maybe Vanessa will have a baby here when she grows up.”
The Mills-Peninsula Birth Center is a community favorite, delivering more new San Mateo County residents than any other hospital. Expectant couples are invited to take free guided tours of maternity unit by appointment.
The entire move was reported via the @MillsPeninsula Twitter channel using the #seeMPHS hashtag, and updates were posted on the Mills-Peninsula Health Services Facebook page.
Watch a video about the opening with comments from executives and a patient (1:25)
