MONROE - To the casual observer, Bob Heitz and Lilliana Valentino do not appear to have much in common.
Heitz, a 72-year-old Swiss Colony retiree, is father of three, grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of six. He and his wife, Judie, say they love life in the Monroe countryside and time with their family. His favorite pastimes include working part-time, making homemade wine, hunting, and traveling.
Lilliana, on the other hand, recently celebrated her two-month birthday. What Lilliana doesn't yet realize is that she and Heitz share a very distinct connection: they both made local history when they came into this world, because they were both "first."
St. Clare Hospital's first arrival
It was a warm summer day in 1939 when Edna Heitz went into labor with her third child. She had spent the day helping her husband, Leland, fix their hay rack. Upon contacting her physician, Dr. Bill Gnagi, the couple learned that Edna would deliver at the new St. Clare Hospital that was built by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
Later the next day, an article on the front page of The Monroe Evening Times read, "Life began at St. Clare Hospital today in a variety of ways. Aug. 1, the official opening day for the new institution, was barely under way when about 1 a.m., young Mr. Heitz arrived."
Over the years, Heitz has enjoyed his status as "the first baby."
"It was a topic of conversation. I think my dad was proud," he said. "Mostly, because Dr. Gnagi didn't charge for his services," he added with a laugh.
Over the years, St. Clare Hospital changed and grew, and Heitz often took part in milestones. A photo of his family is in the cornerstone of the 1951 addition. He participated in the 25th and 40th anniversary events for the hospital. And he and his family celebrated a few personal milestones as well, as all three of his children were born at St. Clare Hospital.
In 1992, St. Clare Hospital merged with Monroe Clinic, and as a result, the hospital changed its name, but Heitz's connection to the place remained. All the "Roberts" in the family - his son, Bob III, and his grandson, Rob, were born in the same hospital where he made history as the "first."
A new first
for Monroe
But Heitz no longer has sole claim on the title of "first baby." Recently, he visited the newly built Monroe Clinic Hospital to pass the torch to young Lilliana. Though, instead of a torch, he and Judie decided a gift of a baby blanket would be more appropriate for the little girl.
And just as Heitz has a good story to share of his grand arrival, Lilliana has her own tale to tell, or rather she will after she learns to talk.
Lilliana could just as easily been the last baby born in the old hospital, as her parents initially came to it the day before the new facility opened. But progression was slow, so the expectant parents went home in the morning. Later that day, they returned and were admitted to the new hospital.
"It is so beautiful," said new mother Danielle Linboom. "I loved it. I was so happy to be here at the new hospital."
Having experienced both hospitals in 24 hours, Linboom appreciated the accommodations of the new building.
"It was easier to move around. The bathrooms were bigger, and the room really accommodates the mom," she said. "I loved that I delivered and stayed in the same room."
When Dr. John Bazley and the nursing team confirmed for the couple that their little girl would be the first baby born at the new Monroe Clinic Hospital, the new parents were excited to learn their little Lilliana was already making news.
"Before, I had no idea," said her father, Cory Valentino. "I was really surprised and pretty proud."
"Everyone was so sweet about it," said Linboom.
Linboom also gave credit to her caregivers who offered the most comfort during her baby's arrival on Saturday, March 24.
"Dr. Bazley was the reason I chose to deliver here," said Linboom. "And all the nurses were fabulous. I feel like I bonded with them during my stay."
Linboom was also happy that the pediatrician-on-call happened to be Dr. John Frey, who was Linboom's own pediatrician when she was a child. He would now continue to care for her daughter.
"He is a great doctor," said Linboom.
On Friday, April 13, Lilliana's parents brought her back to Monroe Clinic Hospital to meet Heitz, who offered his congratulations to the new "first" baby.
Heitz, a 72-year-old Swiss Colony retiree, is father of three, grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of six. He and his wife, Judie, say they love life in the Monroe countryside and time with their family. His favorite pastimes include working part-time, making homemade wine, hunting, and traveling.
Lilliana, on the other hand, recently celebrated her two-month birthday. What Lilliana doesn't yet realize is that she and Heitz share a very distinct connection: they both made local history when they came into this world, because they were both "first."
St. Clare Hospital's first arrival
It was a warm summer day in 1939 when Edna Heitz went into labor with her third child. She had spent the day helping her husband, Leland, fix their hay rack. Upon contacting her physician, Dr. Bill Gnagi, the couple learned that Edna would deliver at the new St. Clare Hospital that was built by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.
Later the next day, an article on the front page of The Monroe Evening Times read, "Life began at St. Clare Hospital today in a variety of ways. Aug. 1, the official opening day for the new institution, was barely under way when about 1 a.m., young Mr. Heitz arrived."
Over the years, Heitz has enjoyed his status as "the first baby."
"It was a topic of conversation. I think my dad was proud," he said. "Mostly, because Dr. Gnagi didn't charge for his services," he added with a laugh.
Over the years, St. Clare Hospital changed and grew, and Heitz often took part in milestones. A photo of his family is in the cornerstone of the 1951 addition. He participated in the 25th and 40th anniversary events for the hospital. And he and his family celebrated a few personal milestones as well, as all three of his children were born at St. Clare Hospital.
In 1992, St. Clare Hospital merged with Monroe Clinic, and as a result, the hospital changed its name, but Heitz's connection to the place remained. All the "Roberts" in the family - his son, Bob III, and his grandson, Rob, were born in the same hospital where he made history as the "first."
A new first
for Monroe
But Heitz no longer has sole claim on the title of "first baby." Recently, he visited the newly built Monroe Clinic Hospital to pass the torch to young Lilliana. Though, instead of a torch, he and Judie decided a gift of a baby blanket would be more appropriate for the little girl.
And just as Heitz has a good story to share of his grand arrival, Lilliana has her own tale to tell, or rather she will after she learns to talk.
Lilliana could just as easily been the last baby born in the old hospital, as her parents initially came to it the day before the new facility opened. But progression was slow, so the expectant parents went home in the morning. Later that day, they returned and were admitted to the new hospital.
"It is so beautiful," said new mother Danielle Linboom. "I loved it. I was so happy to be here at the new hospital."
Having experienced both hospitals in 24 hours, Linboom appreciated the accommodations of the new building.
"It was easier to move around. The bathrooms were bigger, and the room really accommodates the mom," she said. "I loved that I delivered and stayed in the same room."
When Dr. John Bazley and the nursing team confirmed for the couple that their little girl would be the first baby born at the new Monroe Clinic Hospital, the new parents were excited to learn their little Lilliana was already making news.
"Before, I had no idea," said her father, Cory Valentino. "I was really surprised and pretty proud."
"Everyone was so sweet about it," said Linboom.
Linboom also gave credit to her caregivers who offered the most comfort during her baby's arrival on Saturday, March 24.
"Dr. Bazley was the reason I chose to deliver here," said Linboom. "And all the nurses were fabulous. I feel like I bonded with them during my stay."
Linboom was also happy that the pediatrician-on-call happened to be Dr. John Frey, who was Linboom's own pediatrician when she was a child. He would now continue to care for her daughter.
"He is a great doctor," said Linboom.
On Friday, April 13, Lilliana's parents brought her back to Monroe Clinic Hospital to meet Heitz, who offered his congratulations to the new "first" baby.
