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Celebrating New Beginnings: Welcome 2026 New Year’s Babies 

  • 5 minute read.
  • Last Updated: 1/8/2026

The start of a new year brings hope, joy, and fresh beginnings, and at Covenant Health hospitals, it also brings the arrival of precious new lives. Across our region, families celebrated their first moments of 2026 with the birth of their New Year’s babies. Our teams were honored to share in these unforgettable moments. Each New Year’s mom received a gift basket full of baby supplies and commemorative items. 

From Sevierville to Crossville, Covenant Health hospitals welcome babies into the world year-round. Each hospital serves hundreds of families every year, bringing care close to home for growing families.  

Meet Our New Year’s Babies 

Covenant Health Fort Sanders Regional 

A woman in a hospital gown holds a newborn wrapped in a blanket with a pink bow hat, while a man in a white hoodie stands beside them, all smiling in a hospital room.

Just after midnight at 12:14 a.m. on Jan. 1, Naeliz Arvelo arrived at Fort Sanders Regional, weighing 5 pounds, 7 ounces. Excited parents Yazmin and Alfredo Arvelo celebrated their daughter’s arrival with the help of our skilled team. In 2025, Fort Sanders Regional delivered nearly 4,000 babies. 

Covenant Health Parkwest 

A newborn baby wearing a striped hat lies in an incubator, with oxygen tubes under the nose and medical monitors attached to the chest and face. The baby’s eyes are closed and a blanket is partially visible.

Shortly after, on Jan. 1, Covenant Health Parkwest welcomed baby Bode, born at 12:58 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces. His mom, Jessica, shared this meaningful moment with our childbirth center team. In 2025, Parkwest delivered nearly 2,000 babies, and we look forward to continuing to create a safe, supportive environment for every family.

Covenant Health LeConte 

A man and a woman sit together on a hospital bed, smiling while the woman cradles a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket. The hospital setting is visible in the background.

The first baby of 2026 at Covenant Health LeConte arrived on Jan. 1 at 10:09 in the morning. Baby Jasper Gage Ward, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces, brought joy to parents Karah Creter and Jojo Ward. Our Dolly Parton Birthing Unit team delivered more than 600 babies in 2025, and they are excited to serve more families in 2026. 

Covenant Health Morristown-Hamblen 

On Jan. 2, Covenant Health Morristown-Hamblen welcomed baby Hazelynne Kalizbeth Seneker, born at 6:34 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Parents Alicia and David Seneker, Jr., were thrilled to meet their baby girl. This birth marks a hopeful start to the year as we prepare to open our new Hamblen Women’s Care facility. This new facility will expand access to comprehensive women’s health services in the Lakeway region. 

Covenant Health Methodist

A new mother sits in a hospital bed holding her newborn—one of the celebrated new year babies—surrounded by a young girl and six smiling nurses in scrubs, in a brightly lit hospital room.

Fatima Citlali Rodriguez Echeverria was fashionably late but right on time to become the Covenant Health Methodist‘s 2026 New Year’s baby. Born at 7:23 p.m. on Jan. 2, Fatima weighed exactly six pounds and measured 19 inches long. Her parents, Karina Echeverria and Jose Rodriguez, were proud to welcome their second daughter. Methodist’s Family Birthing Center team is excited for another year of offering compassionate care and welcoming our newest community members.

Covenant Health Cumberland 

A man and woman smile at the camera; the woman holds a newborn wrapped in a green blanket. The man holds a baby gift basket with stuffed animals and clothes, all against a plain light-colored background.

On Jan. 4, Covenant Health Cumberland welcomed baby Carter Dyer, born at 9:45 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Parents Michelle and Braxton Dyer celebrated this special moment with the support of our dedicated labor and delivery team. Cumberland delivers hundreds of babies each year and is recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ in Maternity Care, reflecting our commitment to quality and safety. 

A Tradition of Care and Celebration 

Welcoming the first baby of the year is a cherished tradition at Covenant Health hospitals. Our labor and delivery teams are committed to making every birth safe, compassionate, and personalized. Whether it’s offering free childbirth classes, providing education on safe sleep practices, or creating a supportive environment for families, we are committed to helping parents feel confident and cared for from the beginning. 

Looking Ahead 

As we celebrate these beautiful new beginnings, we look forward to continuing our mission in 2026: improving the health of our communities and providing exceptional care for every patient, every time. Learn more about maternity services at Covenant Health hospitals. 

From all of us at Covenant Health, congratulations to the families who welcomed their New Year’s babies, and thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Here’s to a year filled with health, happiness, and hope. 

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