Sophia Mae Hernandez is First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital


First Baby of the Year at VMH ... Pictured above, left to right, are Mario Hernandez and Veronica Santoyo of Postville holding their newborn daughter, Sophia Mae, the First Baby of the Year, born January 6, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The family will enjoy many gifts thanks to local merchants who helped celebrate the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in 2020. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital physicians and staff have announced that the First Baby of the Year Contest was won by Sophia Mae Hernandez, daughter of Veronica Santoyo and Mario Hernandez of Postville. Sophia was born Monday, January 6 at 6:17 p.m., weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring 19-3/4 inches long. Dr. Dave Schwartz assisted with the delivery.

Sophia’s grandparents are Amber Santoyo of Postville and Laurie and Brian Dahl of Ossian. Her great-grandparents are Bonnie Stifel of Postville and Clifford Harnak of Ossian.

This fortunate child and her family received the following generous gifts compliments of these area merchants:
• $100 Cash from Dr. Bruce Carlson, Lansing Dental Clinic
• A Free Night’s Stay in a Whirlpool Suite from the Stoney Creek Inn
• One-Year Subscription to The Standard newspaper from The Standard/News Publishing
• $25 Gift Certificate from Outdoor Creations, Monona
• Free Pedicure from the Hair, Body and Mind Salon and Day Spa
• Free Year of Baby Photos (five sessions) from Cote’Color Photography, Katie Hennessy
• $15 Gift Certificate from Dave’s Gus and Tony’s Pizza and Steakhouse
• $10 Gift Certificate from the S&D Café
• $10 Gift Certificate from the Village Farm and Home, Waukon
• Tastefully Simple Gift Basket from consultant Jan Baumler
• $15 Gift Certificate from Sycamore Floral
• Sterling Silver Mother/Child Pendant on 18” chain from Elliott Jewelers
• $15 Gift Certificate from Milty’s Restaurant and Skinny Dip, Lansing
• $25 Gift Certificate from Waukon Greenhouse
• $15 Gift Certificate from Waukon City Club
• Baby Bag and X-ray Coupon from Waukon Dental
• 20 Free Color Copies from JaDecc’S
• 10-Punch Pass from the Waukon Wellness Center
• Handmade Baby Afghan from the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital
• Mary Kay Hand Cream from Debbie McGeough, Mary Kay Consultant
• Diapers, Wipes and Laundry Basket from Veterans Memorial Hospital.

All other babies born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the year 2020 will receive a Baby Coupon Book coordinated by the hospital through coupon donations from over 60 area businesses in Harpers Ferry, Lansing, Monona, Postville and Waukon. The hospital coordinates this in an effort to assure all babies born at the hospital are treated extra special.