Essentia hospitals welcome first babies of 2025

Essentia Health hospitals have welcomed their first babies of the new year.

In 2024, nearly 4,000 babies were born at the six Essentia hospitals that perform deliveries. And 2025 is off to quite a start, with St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth needing only about an hour into Jan. 1 before its first baby showed up. Let's meet some of our newest patients.

Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center

A little more than an hour into the new year, Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center welcomed its first baby of 2025.

Jett Walker was born at 1:07 a.m. Wednesday. The baby boy weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 20 inches long. His parents are Karsyn Jones and Jacob Walker of Duluth.

Almost 1,700 births occurred at St. Mary’s in 2024.

The hospital’s state-of-the-art birthing center features 13 private birth suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing views of Lake Superior or Duluth’s Hillside. Take a virtual tour of the space today.

Essentia Health-Fargo

Just before noon on Wednesday, Jan. 1, Essentia Health-Fargo welcomed its first baby of 2025.

Jude Keller was born at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to parents Anna and Justin Keller of Fargo-Moorhead. Jude weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 20 inches long.

"Jude is our first-born and we are excited to start this new chapter as his parents!" said Anna.

More than 1,100 births occurred at Essentia Health-Fargo in 2024.

We offer expert, passionate, family-centered care as the only Baby-Friendly® designated hospital in the region and in an environment that meets the preferences and health needs of you and your baby.

If you are interested in embarking on your maternity journey at Essentia Health-Fargo, please call (701) 364-8900 or visit EssentiaHealth.org and take a virtual tour of the birthing center and NICU today.

Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes

Half-way through the first day of the new year, Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes welcomed its first baby of 2025.

Vivian Marie McArthur was born exactly at noon Wednesday. She was born to parents Tasha Bellanger and Nathan McArthur of Naytahwaush, Minnesota. Vivian weighed 10 pounds, 12.5 ounces, and measured 21.5 inches long. She shares a middle name with her mother and grandmother, Ruth.

Vivian is the first baby for her father, Nathan, and has three older siblings — Monte, Carson and Scarlett.

Almost 500 babies were born at St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes in 2024.

Essentia Health-Virginia

Before the first day of the new year was over, Essentia Health-Virginia welcomed its first baby of 2025.

Alice Joy Massie was born at 6:29 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Her parents are Lanaia Enders and Charles Massie of Chisholm, Minnesota. Weighing 5 pounds and 13 ounces, and measuring 19 inches long, little Alice was so thrilled to join the family and meet her 5-year-old sister, Sienna, that she was born a month early.

About 165 babies were born at Essentia Health-Virginia in 2024. Learn more about the recently remodeled birthing center at EssentiaHealth.org.

Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center

It took a full day, but Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center has welcomed its first baby of 2025.

Myloh Don Barnett was born at 4:18 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2. His parents are Lauren Gravalin and Ariel Barnett of Backus, Minnesota. Myloh is 19 inches long and was born weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

About 390 babies were born at St. Joseph’s in 2024. Learn more about the St. Joseph’s Medical Center birthing center at EssentiaHealth.org.

Essentia Health-Moose Lake 

It took nearly two weeks, but Essentia Health-Moose Lake has welcomed its first baby of 2025.

Eloise Arae Fogt was born at 5:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Her parents are Brianna Childers and Gunner Fogt. Eloise was born weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces. 

Almost 80 babies were born at Essentia Health-Moose Lake in 2024. Learn more about the Essentia Health-Moose Lake birthing center at EssentiaHealth.org.