December 29, 2025 – A heartwarming story unfolded Sunday at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital when Melissa Morales and her fiance Antonio Ruggiero welcomed twins Ronin and Alina into the world.
The meaningful moment was made even more special by a rare connection. Melissa is a twin herself, as is Alexis Sharot, the nurse who cared for her during delivery and is pictured with the family. The twins were delivered by Dr. Charles Zollicoffer, who is also a twin.
“It’s such a miracle,” said Morales. “You always meet so many twins, but it’s never in the same spot. It’s truly incredible. It’s going to be such a great story to tell for years to come.”
Moments like these reflect the compassionate, personalized care families experience every day at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.
About HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital
HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital is a 497-bed, full-service acute care hospital accredited by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration as a comprehensive stroke center. Specializing in emergency services, dedicated pediatric emergency services, Level II trauma services, maternity, Level III neonatal services, pediatric intensive care services, comprehensive stroke services, minimally invasive surgery and open-heart surgery, we provide high-quality, exceptional patient care to Fort Pierce residents and the surrounding communities. The hospital has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for cardiac care and is an American College of Surgeons Verified Level II Trauma Center. The hospital’s 24-hour emergency room provides specialized hospital services for adults and children of all ages. For more information on HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, please visit hcafloridahealthcare.com or call 772-461-4000.
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.