South Texas Health System Welcomes Arrival of First Baby Of 2026

The first baby of the new year arrived at 6:38 a.m. at STHS Edinburg

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

Weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches in length, Little Samuel arrived at The Maternity Center at South Texas Health System Edinburg at 6:38 a.m., making him the first newborn delivered at an STHS facility in 2026. Photo Courtesy
- Advertisement -

South Texas Health System (STHS) is overjoyed to have welcomed the first baby of 2026 less than seven hours after the clock struck midnight on the new year. 

Weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches in length, Little Samuel arrived at The Maternity Center at South Texas Health System Edinburg at 6:38 a.m., making him the first newborn delivered at an STHS facility in 2026. 

“It feels so special, like it was God’s plan,” says Cynthia Gonzalez of the birth of her third child with husband Victor. “What an incredible way to ring in 2026!” 

- Advertisement -

Little Samuel, whose original due date was December 31, 2025, is now the third son in the Gonzalez household. He will soon have the opportunity to meet his two older brothers.

The staff at The Maternity Center at STHS Edinburg is grateful to be part of the Gonzalez Family’s journey of welcoming a new bundle of joy into the world.

“We’re proud to deliver the first baby of 2026 at an STHS facility; what a great way to ring in the new year, with love and light,” says NormaLinda Aguirre-Partida, BSN, RNC-OB, Director of Women’s Services and Nursery, STHS Edinburg. “We’re thrilled to be part of this momentous occasion for the Gonzalez Family and the others who’ve entrusted us to be part of their maternity journey.”

To help create a lasting memory for the family, the staff at STHS Edinburg went the extra mile by providing Little Samuel with a special My First New Year’s onesie.

- Advertisement -

Emphasizing its dedication to providing women’s services at the highest level, STHS has consistently been a Healthgrades Five-Star Recipient for C-Section Delivery, Hysterectomy and Gynecology Procedures, placing the organization in the upper echelon of hospitals for OB/GYN care nationwide.

For more information on the women’s services at STHS, including the system’s labor and delivery programs, visit STHSEdinburg.com and STHSMcAllen.com.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

DHR Health and RGV College Celebrate Fifth Nursing Apprenticeship Graduating Class

DHR Health and Rio Grande Valley College celebrated the fifth graduating class of their Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Program on September 3, 2026, at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, marking a milestone for an initiative designed to help working nurses advance their careers

$281 Million Unlocked to Bridge the Gap in Rural Medical Access

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will receive $281 million in federal funding for the second year of Rural Texas Strong, a five-year initiative to improve rural healthcare throughout the state.

STHS Facilities Earn Five-Star Rating for Heart Attack

The national recognition underscores the system's commitment to delivering exceptional cardiac care and life-saving outcomes for Rio Grande Valley patients.

STHS Honors Longtime Employee with Veteran of the Year Award

From serving our nation to caring for patients across the Rio Grande Valley, nearly 100 veterans employed throughout South Texas Health System's (STHS) 12 facilities continue to make a difference through their work in healthcare.
- Advertisement -