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Public Relations / Marketing OfficerDavid Bruzzese For Immediate Release Mercy reaches 1,000 birth milestone DURANGO, Colo.— Mercy Regional Medical Center’s Family Birth Center celebrated an historic milestone, delivering the 1,000th baby of 2007. Cortez Guadalupe Lariz, 7 lbs., 1 oz., son of Elizabeth and Ramon Lariz of Durango, was delivered at 12:47 p.m. on December 12. “Mercy’s Family Birth Center staff and providers have done a tremendous job in 2007,” said Nancy Hoyt, Mercy’s chief nursing officer. “We’re fortunate to celebrate this milestone in the same year we’re celebrating the hospital’s 125th birthday and its legacy of caring for our community’s families.” The hospital is expecting a total of more than 100 babies in December, putting the final tally for 2007 at approximately 1,050 births. In 2006, 906 babies were delivered at Mercy Regional Medical Center, up from 842 in 2005. Obstetricians, family practitioners, and midwives deliver babies at Mercy’s Family Birth Center. Cortez was delivered by obstetrician/gynecologist Betty Lasich, M.D., of Four Corners OB/Gyn. According to Margo Philpott, RN, Family Birth Center staff educator and clinical nurse, every birth is a cause to celebrate. “We have created a happy atmosphere here. We enjoy this group of patients and seeing babies born. We enjoy helping the mothers, infants, and dads—it’s very encouraging.” Cortez has two brothers, Victor, 5, and Antonio, 12, and is the grandson of Southern Ute tribal member Geraldine Rael. To celebrate the occasion, Family Birth Center staff presented to the family a gift basket full of items donated by local businesses and the hospital. The total value of the items donated was more than $4,000. Businesses and organizations that donated items to the basket include Three Springs, Alpine Bank, First National Bank, Southwest Colorado Federal Credit Union, The Springs Medical Spa, Ken & Sue's, Durango Community Recreation Center, Jamie's Jewelry Repair, Kid's Rock, Durango Kid, the Mad Hatters, and Schluter Floral. Mercy Regional Medical Center’s gift shop, the Merciful Mug Espresso Bar, and Family Birth Center staff also contributed items to the gift basket. Philpott, who coordinated the gift basket and approached many of the donors, said almost everyone she asked wanted to help. “When I explained this milestone to people, they wanted to be in on it. It’s just another example of sharing and celebrating community milestone.” Earlier this year, the hospital began playing on its intercom system a snippet of Brahms’ Lullaby each time a baby was born. Hospital employees have become accustomed to hearing the tune almost every day. # # # |
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