Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) welcomed the first baby of the new year born on Jan. 1 at 8:15 p.m.
The baby, weighing 6 pounds and 10.8 ounces and 19.5 inches long, was born to parents Jalene Clabaugh (mother) and Dakota Warren (father) of Ione. The couple named their baby Waylon Warren, born in the care of OB/GYN Gary Trupp, MD, and the nursing team at Good Shepherd’s Family Birth Center (FBC).
Each year this special New Year’s baby is welcomed with much anticipation, said FBC Interim Nurse Manager Cherie Wilson, RNC.
“It is truly a special occasion for our physicians and staff each year and we can’t wait to give the family a gift from the Family Birth Center team,” said Wilson. “This year, our New Year’s family received a wagon full of diapers, wipes, many books, clothes, swaddle blankets, soap, lotion, a robe and Nivea skin care set for Mother, a safety kit, a ‘Baby’s First Yearbook,’ and a blanket handmade and gifted by the Coffee Creek Women’s Correction Facility. I sincerely hope that the family is so blessed in the coming year, it makes me tear up thinking about it.”
When asked what’s most exciting about having the first baby of 2025 born at GSHCS, Mother Jalene said, “It’s crazy – it sets forth a good year – new year, new baby!” Jalene added that she is part of a group of three friends that are all expecting babies around the same time. “One of our friends just delivered here at Good Shepherd, and all three of us have experienced the same great care from the Women’s Center to the Family Birth Center.”
The couple shared that baby Waylon’s first day was very calm while he seemed to be taking everything in. “One of our favorite moments so far was when Waylon sneezed for the first time, it was really cute,” said Jalene.
With the new year came many good wishes shared with the couple. “This is our first baby and the first grandbaby in our family,” Jalene said. “We are all very excited! Our New Year’s wish for Waylon is good health.”
Baby Waylon is just one of the 400 babies per year on average that are delivered at the FBC. Services at the FBC include state-of-the-art birth suites designed to ensure comfort and well-being throughout labor and delivery for both mother and baby. Each room is equipped with a jacuzzi soaking tub, comfortable couch and rocking chair. Should the need arise, a dedicated C-section suite is located within the Family Birth Center, ensuring safe and seamless care without the need to leave the facility. FBC nurses have their Obstetric Nursing Certification and are dedicated to providing the care a patient envisions from natural birthing plans to epidural services. Virtual lactation consulting appointments are available at a patient’s convenience, as well as free online (or in-person) birth classes.
“Our experience at the Family Birth Center has been great,” said Jalene. “The staff are all wonderful, so helpful, and made sure we had everything we needed – just phenomenal. My doctor was Dr. Trupp, and he was absolutely great with a great demeanor, and very attentive.”
Having a safe and quality birth experience close to home was important to the parents. “I had heard good things about the birth center and the obstetricians, and we wanted to deliver here,” Jalene said.
Jalene is now a stay-at-home-mom and Dakota does commercial construction, specializing in HVAC systems. In their spare time, the parents enjoy being together outdoors and exploring in their Jeep.
“We loved the cart that was gifted to us by the Family Birth Center,” Jalene said. “We can’t wait to take Waylon in it on our adventures.”.
For ore information about the Family Birth Center and to schedule a tour, call 541.667.3670 or visit the FBC webpage. For information about free birth classes, call 541.667.3509 or visit the Good Shepherd website.
The Family Birth Center is located on the second floor of Good Shepherd Health Care System, at 610 NW 11th St., in Hermiston. The Women’s Center care team includes OB/GYNs Benjamin Eastham, MD, Allison Khavkin, MD, Ken Snider, MD, Gary Trupp, MD, Alexis Tuck, MD, Richard Williams, MD and Family Medicine Physician Sara Trask, MD.
