Hackensack Meridian Health Celebrates Babies Born Across the Network At the Start of the New Year

Somerset and North Bergen families rang in 2026, a historic year that marks the 250th anniversary of the nation's birth, by welcoming children at two of Hackensack Meridian Health's northern hospitals.

Proud parents Naomi and Ezra Norton of Somerset welcomed a baby girl who was born at 1:05 AM at Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair. Baby Nova Nicole, who was the first baby born in the Hackensack Meridian Health network of hospitals, weighed 6 pounds and 3 ounces.

Just a little over two hours later, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center welcomed its first baby of the year at 2:09 AM. Baby Boy Jacob Gael Tay Valladares, who weighed 7 pounds and 7.6 ounces, is the son of Edith and Luis Tay of North Bergen.

"The arrival of the first babies of 2026 is a joyous and exciting moment for all of us at Hackensack Meridian Health. It's a powerful reminder of our mission: to provide the highest quality care to every mother and child,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.“My deepest thanks go to our outstanding team members for their unwavering commitment, and we send our warmest congratulations to the proud new parents. We wish all our communities a vibrant and healthy new year."

Other New Year’s babies were born across the Hackensack Meridian Health network.

At 1:44 AM, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank and Caterina Wulfing and Tim Wilt of Atlantic Highlands welcomed Baby Girl Wilt, who weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces.

At 3:15 AM, JFK University Medical Center and Jessica Matthes and Vincent Trippidi of Rahway welcomed Baby Girl Maxine Elise who weighed 6 pounds and 12.5 ounces.

At 4:33 AM, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin and Victoria and Nick Rekosik of West Creek, welcomed Baby Girl Ellie Rose who weighed 6pounds and 4 ounces.

At 7:44 AM, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy and Mom Jaelyn welcomed Baby Boy Kaleb who weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces.

At 1:03 PM, Ocean University Medical Center in Brick and Kristyn and Doug Ford of Toms River welcomed Baby Boy Jordan who weighed 7 pounds and 8.6 ounces.

Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals were once again named to U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Hackensack Meridian’s Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Palisades Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center and Southern Ocean Medical Center were all named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care list. This “high performing” designation is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study.