Welcome to Samaritan’s First Babies of 2026 January 26, 2026 Each New Year’s Eve, the maternity staff at the five Samaritan Health Services hospitals in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties await the arrival of the first baby to be born in the new year. This year, Samaritan’s first baby of the new year was born early on New Year’s Day at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, followed soon by the first babies to be born at the Samaritan hospitals in Albany on Jan. 1, Newport on Jan. 2, Lebanon on Jan. 3 and Lincoln City on Jan. 7. The new parents enjoyed a celebratory meal and received a gift basket filled with adorable and useful items for their baby. The baskets were prepared by birthing center staff, auxiliary members or foundation staff at each hospital. Samaritan Albany General Hospital The Albany hospital celebrated its first baby of the new year when Paizleigh Lynn Marie Stephens was born on Thursday, Jan. 1, at 6:06 a.m. Her middle names honor both of her grandmothers. Philip Stephens and Alexis Rhoads with Paizleigh. Paizleigh weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Her parents, Alexis Rhoads and Philip Stephens, are from the Albany and Lebanon areas. Originally due Jan. 4, Paizleigh arrived ahead of schedule. Rhoads said she initially thought she had an upset stomach before realizing she was in labor. Just 20 minutes after checking in, their daughter was born. “We are so blessed that our daughter is healthy and stable,” Rhoads said. “We’re thankful she came when she did, and she has a 15-month-old older sister waiting at home to meet her.” Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital The birth of a baby is a wondrous moment, and for Corey and Alexis Shrewsbury of Newport, it was nothing short of extraordinary. After more than seven years of trying and hoping, they finally held their newborn son, Tate Shawn Shrewsbury, in their arms. Corey and Alexis Shrewsbury with son Tate Shawn. Tate arrived at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 20½ inches long. The couple named their newborn son Tate, meaning “bringer of joy,” and Shawn in honor of his maternal grandmother in heaven — whose name, Alexis noted, means “God is gracious.” Adding to the joy, Tate joins a unique tradition on the Steenkolk side of the family. He is the fourth “New Year” baby in this extended family, all born in Lincoln County. In addition, Alexis’s birthday is Jan. 4, so Tate almost shared a birthday with his mom. Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital The Lebanon hospital welcomed an early arrival when Nora Truett was born on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 5:19 a.m. Nora weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 18 inches long. Her parents, Tori and Keith Truett, are from Lebanon and have a 2 ½-year-old son who has been eagerly awaiting his baby sister. Baby Nora, born to parents Tori and Keith Truett. Nora arrived 16 days early, continuing the family’s trend of early arrivals. The family anticipated she might come before her due date but didn’t know if it would be around Christmas or into the new year. “Our son has been so excited the entire time,” Tori said. “He’s happy to have a sibling and loves helping fetch things like her blanket. If she cries, he’s very protective.” The couple, who went to school together in Lebanon, shared their lighthearted goal for the year: “Keep everybody alive.” Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital A tiny baby boy with a big name — Mansa Jah’son Abubakhir Hart — holds the honor of being the first baby born in 2026 at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City. Sierra Williams and Jason Hart Jr., with newborn son Mansa and daughter Svntaaye. Swaddled snugly in his mother’s arms, Mansa slept peacefully during the presentation of the generous “New Year Baby” gift basket. Meanwhile, his big sister eagerly explored the hospital room, and the basket’s contents, with toddler curiosity. Mansa arrived at 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, welcomed by his parents, Sierra Williams and Jason Hart Jr., and his 20-month-old sister, Svntaaye Hart (pronounced Sun-tie-yay in the language of the Siletz tribe). The growing family lives in Siletz. At birth, Mansa weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 21 inches long. This is exactly the same as his sister when she was born, Williams said. Both siblings share another sweet coincidence: they were each born on the seventh day of the month. Note: We are respecting the wishes of the Corvallis new year baby’s family for no publicity.
