Pomerene welcomes first baby of 2026, Oaklynn, to Holmes County

Pomerene Hospital marked the start of 2026 with the arrival of its first baby, a girl named Oaklynn, born Jan. 1 at 2:49 p.m. to parents Joel and Amy. The newborn weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces at birth, and the birth was celebrated as part of the hospital’s long-standing tradition of welcoming the first baby of the year.

To commemorate the occasion, the Pomerene Auxiliary presented the family with a package of gifts intended to help in those first days at home. The commemorative gift included a rocking horse, diapers, a stuffed animal, a toy and a Busy Learners Activity Cube. Local traditions like this highlight the Auxiliary’s role in community support and hospitality surrounding new parents and newborns.

For Holmes County residents, the event is more than a single birth; it is a visible sign that local maternity services remain active and that neighbors are paying attention to one another. Pomerene’s celebration of the first baby of the year is a community moment that often prompts well-wishes from family, friends and hospital staff and underscores the local network of care that families rely on.

The appearance of Oaklynn as the first 2026 arrival follows the rhythm of past years when small ceremonies and keepsakes mark a milestone for both the family and the hospital. The package provided by the Auxiliary aims to offer practical essentials and a small keepsake as families transition from hospital to home life. Such gestures also reflect broader community investment in family health and early childhood support across the county.

As 2026 continues, Pomerene Hospital will care for expectant parents and newborns in the area, with the Auxiliary maintaining its tradition of marking the start of the year with a welcome for new arrivals. For neighbors in Holmes County, Oaklynn’s arrival offers a reason to celebrate locally and a reminder of the community support available to families as they take those first steps together.