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Madison Hospital welcomes first baby of 2017
Ariyana Michelle Lerlean Stevens is Madison’s ‘Baby New Year’ for 2017. Ariyana was born on Jan. 1 at 4:34 p.m. at Madison Hospital. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Madison’s first baby of the New Year arrived on Jan. 1, 2017 at 4:34 p.m. at Madison Hospital.
Ariyana Michelle Lerlean Stevens is brunette with lots of dark brown hair, Renee Colquitt said. Colquitt works as Lead Coordinator of Obstetric Services at Madison Hospital.
Ariyana’s parents are Tyeshia Lerlean Witchard and Brandon Michael Stevens of Athens. Tyeshia Witchard had heard great recommendations for Madison Hospital, especially about the nursing staff, and decided to have her baby born in the Madison facility, Colquitt said.
Dr. Rachel Acuff was the obstetrician. “Tyeshia had an easy delivery. She was in labor for around nine hours. Ariyana is a happy baby,” Colquitt said.
“Tyeshia said everyone was great and very helpful at the hospital,” Colquitt. Ariyana is Tyeshia’s first child.
Tyeshia is originally from Elkmont. Brandon was born in Texas and grew up in Clinton Township in Michigan.
In 2016, 885 babies were born at Madison Hospital, Colquitt said.
After two years to satisfy the certification process, Madison Hospital has earned the ranking as “Baby Friendly Hospital,” a distinction that only four Alabama hospitals have achieved, President Mary Lynne Wright said.
“When we opened in 2012, we had a vision for our model of care. We planned that all babies would go skin to skin after delivery (and) to maximize family bonding,” Shari Crowe said. Crowe is Director of Perioperative Services, Obstetrics and Materials Management.
Also, staff wanted mothers to have “unlimited access to breastfeeding support during and after their stay,” Crowe said. To go ‘baby friendly,’ staff examined all practices that impact mother and baby’s lifetime health.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program that the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund launched in 1991 to encourage hospitals to give optimal care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.
Madison Hospital’s address is 8375 U.S. 72 W. For more information, visit madisonhospital.org or Facebook/Madison Hospital. “You can ask questions or send information to the hospital staff on our website,” Colquitt said.
