The new year in East Tennessee arrived with the unmistakable cry of newborns, ushering in 2026 with bundles of joy across various hospitals. The University of Tennessee Medical Center announced the first baby born at their facility early on New Year's morning, a girl named Adeline, as reported by WVLT-TV. While the precise timing of her arrival was not provided, congratulations were extended to the parents and the labor and delivery team following a notably busy previous year, which saw over 5,000 births at the center.
Meanwhile, Prisma Blount Memorial Hospital introduced its first baby of the year at 5:39 a.m. on Thursday. Parents Meagan and Collin Carter have decided to keep their baby’s name and gender private until a family introduction is made, a story covered by WBIR. Over at the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, the first baby's birth was described as the "sweetest celebration," with the labor and delivery team honored to support the newborn's arrival on this significant occasion.
Williamson Medical Center in Williamson County, meanwhile, welcomed a girl within the first hour of the new year. The family of the first baby of 2026 expressed their gratitude for the care received from the staff, an experience accentuated by a commemorative gift basket from the medical center. "We are so grateful to welcome our baby into the world at Williamson Medical Center. To be the first family of the year, as well as the care we received from the entire team, made this experience even more special," the family shared in a statement obtained by Williamson Source. The healthcare system boasts extensive services ranging from women's services to leading-edge orthopedics, outlined on their website.
