Salinas Valley Health Welcomes First Baby of 2024

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Salinas, CA- January 2, 2024 – The first baby born in the New Year at Salinas Valley Health has a special story and a big family to welcome her into the world. Amari Edeza was born at 7:01pm on January first to parents Brianna Ortiz and Jason Edeza. The Salinas couple is beaming with joy and gratitude.

“I call her my little miracle baby,” says 23-year-old mom Brianna Ortiz. “It was touch and go for a while so this is an especially happy occasion. Everyone is very helpful and the care here is really wonderful.”

Brianna says the emotional journey stems from the sad loss last year of her first baby at 18 weeks. Determined to do everything possible to support a full term pregnancy, Brianna had her cervix stitched in an effort to help withstand the weight of the growing baby. Amari arrived ten days ahead of her due date of January 11 and weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Dad says he’s simply in awe.

“Every time I turn around, it’s something different,” says new dad Jason Edeza. “She’s amazing and there’s so many emotions. I’m a little nervous but so, so happy.”

The new parents have plenty of family to lean on as they raise their daughter. Brianna’s grandmother has extensive experience, boosting 30 grandchildren and 15-great grandchildren. Coincidently, one of Brianna’s cousins is also a new year’s baby and it’s already apparent Amari will continue a family trait of thick, curly locks.

The team at Salinas Valley Health is proud to be part of the family’s celebration. “We’re passionate about the care we provide,” says Mother/Baby charge nurse Weronika Paden, RN. “We appreciate that we were the parent’s first choice for maternity care. Mom and baby are healthy and it’s a great way to ring in the New Year.”

In December, U.S. News & World Report named Salinas Valley Health as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Should pregnant women or newborns need specialized expertise, Salinas Valley Health operates a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Perinatal Diagnostic Center, in partnership with Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.