January 1, 2026 – HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is excited to announce the arrival of the first babies born in 2026 on the Treasure Coast. Four babies were born this morning at the hospital, including Santiago at 8:31 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce at birth and was 19 ¾ inches long. Santiago and his family from Okeechobee are doing well.
“We are honored to share in these families’ special moments and proud to provide exceptional care for mothers and babies,” said Corey Lovelace, chief executive officer of HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital. “We wish them and everyone a healthy and happy new year.”
HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital offers comprehensive maternity services, including personalized care, advanced technology and a dedicated team committed to ensuring a safe and memorable birthing experience. The hospital’s brand-new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and expanded labor and delivery spaces are expected to be completed in just a few weeks. The new floor will feature 25 NICU beds, two dedicated operating rooms, three emergency rooms and numerous features to ensure patients and their families have the safest and most comfortable delivery possible.
About HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital
HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is a 222-bed acute care facility. The combined efforts of more than 400 skilled physicians and more than 900 dedicated employees have resulted in one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities on Florida’s Treasure Coast. HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital offers a full range of services that include a birthing center, cardiac catheterization lab, minimally invasive robotic surgery, gynecologic, general and vascular surgery, and wound care with hyperbaric services. Additionally, HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is home to the Orthopedic & Spine Institute and a senior- and pediatric-friendly ER with freestanding emergency rooms at Darwin Square and Stuart.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues work together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters annually. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. In 2024, the network provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly trained specialists, including the state’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is a leader in in training future healthcare professionals, offering 151 Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs at 27 different hospitals with more than 2,400 residents. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
